A ward of Corona virus patients in Brooklyn, March 2020 (Image source: Victor Blue and The New York Times; cropped)
Using a 107-year-old specimen, researchers have managed to digitally reconstruct the genome of the 1918 Spanish Flu Virus, revealing it was well-adapted to humans from the very beginning of the outbreak.
An international team of researchers has digitally revived the flu virus of the 1918 pandemic through the reconstruction of its complete genetic blueprint. The pandemic, which wreaked havoc from 1918 to 1920, was one of the most deadly in history, claiming between 20 and 100 million individuals.
The research team, led by paleogeneticist Verena Schünemann, extracted the genetic material from a formalin-fixed specimen. The specimen belonged to a patient in Switzerland who was 18 years old at the time. The virus is an RNA virus, which meant its genetic code degraded faster than DNA, something that proved challenging to the study. To overcome this, the scientists developed a new, highly efficient method for recovering and sequencing the aged RNA fragments.
The reconstructed genome — the first precisely dated one from the 1918 pandemic — showed something surprising. Analysis revealed that from the very start of the pandemic, the virus already had three critical mutations that made it very adapted to humans. Two of these mutations helped the virus fight the human immune system, while the third amplified its ability to bind to human cells, making it deadlier.
The insight into the evolution of this virus will help scientists create more efficient models in preparation against future pandemics and in the development of vaccines.
Chibuike Okpara – Tech Writer – 98 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
I have always been fascinated by technology and digital devices my entire life and even got addicted to it. I have always marveled at the intricacy of even the simplest digital devices and systems around us. I have been writing and publishing articles online for about 6 years now, just about a year ago, I found myself lost in the marvel of smartphones and laptops we have in our hands every day. I developed a passion for learning about new devices and technologies that come with them and at some point, I asked myself, “Why not get into writing tech articles?” It is useless to say I followed up the idea — it is evident. I am an open-minded individual who derives an infinite amount of joy from researching and discovering new information, I believe there is so much to learn and such a short life to live, so I put my time to good use — learning new things. I am a ‘bookworm’ of the internet and digital devices. When I am not writing, you will find me on my devices still, I do explore and admire the beauty of nature and creatures. I am a fast learner and quickly adapt to changes, always looking forward to new adventures.