COVID-19 Background

Topic Overview:

This page provides the background behind the virus and is used to introduce the virus. It demonstrates what the virus looks like, the timeline of the virus, and showing the standard method used to get a sample of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Along with going over some of the main key terms that relate to the virus and mentions some of its symptoms.

SARS-CoV-2 Structure

Figure 1. (1)

This figure (1-4) shows a 3-D model of the protein structure of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 is a disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. On the page, I will provide an overview of the structure and pathology of SARS-CoV-2 and briefly cover the different diagnostics developed for COVID-19. Along with labeling, many of the major components used in the many different tests that highlighted later in the other topics.

Timeline

The rapid progression of COVID-19

Standard Sample Preparation method

Figure 6 (5)

This figure shows RNA extraction and purification, which is used for sample preparation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. This step is done before RT-PCR.This method is both time-intensive and requires lab supervision. This method first goes through a lysis of the viral capsid, then immobilization and removal steps, and at the end with an elution or the cleanup step, which is later followed by the amplification step. These steps are very time-consuming and require manual supervision, but recent breakthroughs have found quicker and more efficient ways (Everitt et al., 2020 ). For some of the faster and more efficient ways see this paper.

Keywords

Beta-coronavirus

This is the type of virus family SARS-COV-2 is a part of. Other members of this viral family include the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43), and human coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1). Coronavirus is called this because they look like a crown, and seven known strains infects humans.

(6)

Spike protein

The spike proteins are one main characteristic of the COVID-19. The spike protein or S protein is the viral fusion site with the host cell, where it injects the viral RNA into the host which is called ACE2 receptor.

(7)

Acute Respiratory Disorder

Finally, this last key term is ARDS, or acute respiratory disease is one of the common symptoms with the disease COVID-19. The disease attacks the respiratory system. It leads to shortness of breath and can cause death, especially to those at risk.

(8)

Relevant Papers

COVID-19 and Multiorgan Response

This paper was extremely useful for my research, as it provided a wide range of helpful information. This paper goes into detail about how COVID-19 affects all of the different organs and their respective systems. It provides information in a clear and cohesive table all of the different symptoms and shows why the damage happens to the different systems. This shows why we need to find the best way to both find and cure this virus.

(9)

Opportunities and Challenges for Biosensors and Nanoscale Analytical Tools for Pandemics: COVID-19

This paper provides a comprehensive list of all of the different structures of the virus and also goes into diagnostic tools that can be used to detect this virus. It mentions each of the major structures and demonstrates what they do and how they work when the virus attacks the cell. It also talks about how we detect the virus through a biosensor application and make an effective and simple model for one.

(10)

References

(1)- THE WEEK. (n.d.). Retrieved October 04, 2020, from https://www.theweek.in/news/health/2020/06/30/xrays-size-up-coronavirus-structure-at-room-temperature.html

(2) Blue circles- mean from Keni, R., Alexander, A ., Ganesh, P., Mudgal, J., and Nandkumar, K . (2020). COVIS-19: Emergence, Spread, Possible Treatments, and Global Burden. Frontiers in Public Health,

(3) Green circles-science daily

(4) Red circle- CDC Diagnostic Tests for COVID-19. (n.d.). Retrieved October 07, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/testing.html

(5) Everitt, M.L., Tillery, A., David, M.G., Singh, N., Borison, A., and White, I.M. (2020). A critical review of point-of-care diagnostic technologies to combat viral pandemics. Anal. Chim. Acta.

(6) SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics | Disclaimer. (n.d.). Betacoronavirus. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://viralzone.expasy.org/764?outline=all_by_species

(7) Lavery, L., Says, G., Says, L., Says, A., Says, T., Says, A., . . . Min, K. (2020, March 13). Cryo-EM Used in Novel Coronavirus Research to Support Vaccine, Treatment Development. Retrieved October 04, 2020, from https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/microscopy/cryo-em-used-in-novel-coronavirus-research-to-support-vaccine-treatment-development/

(8) Health, S. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved October 20, 2020, from https://www.svhlunghealth.com.au/conditions/ards-acute-respiratory-distress-syndrome

(9) Zaim, S., Chong, J ., Sankaranarayanan, V., and Harky, A. (2020). COVIS-19 and Multiorgan Response. Current Problems in Cardiology, volume 45 issue 8

(10) Bhalla, N., Pan, Y., Yang, Z., and Payam, A.F. (2020). Opportunities and Challenges for Biosensors and Nanoscale Analytical Tools for Pandemics: COVID-19. ACS Nano.

Page updated

Report abuse