VirusSeq
CanCOGeN’s VirusSeq initiative is sequencing up to 150,000 viral samples from people testing positive for COVID-19 with more coordination of viral sequencing and associated clinical/epidemiological data collection between provinces and internationally.
This effort is enabling Canada to track how the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is changing and spreading, providing key data on virus transmission trends and changes in the virus that may impact viral detection or the effectiveness of treatments or vaccines.
As SARS-CoV-2 spreads between individuals, the virus continues to mutate. Tracking these changes is possible through genome sequencing of the virus. These changes can then be used to generate a “family tree” for this virus and its “descendants,” aiding researchers in the linking of related cases. Changes in the virus can also change disease severity or its ability to spread. Viral genome sequence data has therefore become an essential tool for public health officials to better track how the virus is both changing and spreading.
The virus timeline
Why Sequence this virus?
Identify and track transmission trends at the regional, provincial, national and international scales
Aid detection of new clusters of cases/outbreaks
Discover evolving viral characteristics that might impact
• Detection methods (PCR, serology)
• Clinical outcomes (strain severity) and transmission
• Effectiveness of healthcare measures, treatments and vaccines
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update
See the current situation with total cases, active cases, recovered cases, tests performed or deaths in Canada over time.
Resources
Schematic of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, illustrating the complexity of the proteins that it encodes. The genome contains two open reading frames (ORF1a and ORF1b) that encode polyproteins 1a and 1b. These polyproteins are cleaved into their individual protein components following translation. The genome also encodes other proteins, including the structural proteins (most notably the Spike/S protein/gene), that are translated independently. Each protein encoded by the SARS-CoV-2 genome is displayed individually, and different functional/structural domains are annotated within selected proteins.
Resources
Schematic of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, illustrating the complexity of the proteins that it encodes. The genome contains two open reading frames (ORF1a and ORF1b) that encode polyproteins 1a and 1b. These polyproteins are cleaved into their individual protein components following translation. The genome also encodes other proteins, including the structural proteins (most notably the Spike/S protein/gene), that are translated independently. Each protein encoded by the SARS-CoV-2 genome is displayed individually, and different functional/structural domains are annotated within selected proteins.