Evolutionary Analysis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Reveals Genomic Divergence with Implications for Universal Vaccine Efficacy.

ABSTRACT: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is one of the pressing contemporary public health challenges. Investigations into the genomic structure of SARS-CoV-2 may inform ongoing vaccine development efforts and/or provide insights into vaccine efficacy to fight against COVID-19. Evolutionary analysis of 540 genomes spanning 20 different countries/territories was conducted and revealed an increase in the genomic divergence across successive generations. The ancestor of the phylogeny was found to be the isolate from the 2019/2020 Wuhan outbreak. Its transmission was outlined across 20 countries/territories as per genomic similarity. Our results demonstrate faster evolving variations in the genomic structure of SARS-CoV-2 when comp

SUBMITTER: Yellapu NK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7720133 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature