CES Grad Research Published
CES Grad ALINDA Alfred Khamala reports that his current team research project on Covid19 has been published. It has been posted in the latest edition of the Academic Journal (AJ) of General and Molecular Virology. It is a full length research paper entitled SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Clock and Zoonosis.
Vol. 10(1), pp. 1-8, January-June, 2020 DOI: 10.5897/JGMV2020.0078
Article Number: 283122E64059 ISSN 2141-6648 Copyright © 2020
The project is a joint venture between the Biology Department of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology - Kakamega (where Alfred studies), and the Department of Agricultural Resource Management, School of Agriculture, Embu University - Embu KENYA.
The CES Canada and Kenya Board of Directors congratulate Alfred Alinda (CES Grad - St Patrick's Ikonyero SS) for this outstanding achievement and ground breaking effort to tackle the Covid19 virus. Alfred is part of the global scientific response towards finding a vaccine. We wish him the best in his academic pursuits and look forward to where life will lead him both professionally and as a CES Alumnus.
Executive summary:
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), associated with Corona- Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) coined by World Health Organization, belongs to single stranded RNA viruses (ssRNA Viruses) under Betacoronaviruses. The virus’ molecular dynamics are necessary in the wake of human-human transmissions globally with mortality cases on the rise, thus the race for a vaccine.
As the viral genome expresses more human-biased mutations, the coronavirus disease 2019 continues to infect people in their millions, with the available detection kits limiting the numbers detected out of the population. Understanding the molecular basis of the virus through bioinformatics would speed up the viral diagnostics, management and vaccine generation. Currently, the scientific community seeks to give varied perspectives of what is known of the virus at a cellular level. The knowledge is scattered and requires a consolidated flow on thematic understanding in order to ensue further build up towards curbing the disease.
The structure and function of the virus, genome and revealed mutations are critical in directing the SARS-CoV-2 virus and disease understanding. Here, we analyze and review published knowledge on the virus in relation to the molecular specs and evolutionary relationships of the virus.
Conclusions:
As detection kits continue to fill the market, it will be important if their suitability is based on the most potent scientific criterion that would give consistent results for positive or negative tests. Some studies suggest the use of a tailor made reference genome (Changtai et al., 2020) while others base diagnosis on the initial genome of the prior viruses. Others such as Koyama et al. (2020) suggest the use of unique proteins (ORF10) for PCR diagnosis.
This is in the wake of more countries expressing concerns over flawed tests where some kits give inconsistent results that stir up mistrust. As we follow through towards vaccine development, and tracking the infection patterns, use of modern technology for both diagnosis and treatment should not be an afterthought. Protocol and due process should be followed through when it comes to these developments as we look forward to flattening the COVID-19 curve.