New technology allows rapid analysis and mapping of new potential virus variants
Variants of viruses, such as that causing COVID-19, can now be quickly studied in the laboratory, even before they emerge in nature and become a major public health challenge.
The University of Queensland, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Monash University, and Queensland Health have developed a technology to manipulate viruses synthetically allowing rapid analysis and mapping of new potential virus variants.
UQ s lead researcher Professor Alexander Khromykh said the technology was ideal for use during a global pandemic such as COVID-19.