3 ms·
Sure, here you go: https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.06199 https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.06199 This uses a rigorous bioinformatic analysis to demonstrate that the SARS-C
by inciampati 6y ago
Sure, here you go: https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.06199 https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.06199
This uses a rigorous bioinformatic analysis to demonstrate that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has dramatically stronger binding affinity for human ACE2 than any other known version of the protein.
This is the case for the version of the protein observed at the very beginning of the outbreak. The virus evolves slowly, so this implies a very long period of transmission in human cells, which is compatible with a zoonotic transfer much earlier than expected (possibly many years) or gain of function experiments in cell cultures.
As a biologist, I find this to be sufficient factual information to motivate a discussion about the possible origins of the virus.
- svara 6y agoOk, interesting. But there's a huge issue of selection bias here. We're interested in this virus precisely because it poses a threat to humans, so obviously it's adapted to humans. As a biologist, I therefore think this does not mean much at all. ;) At least not without a more quantitative treatment of the claim that "this implies a very long period of transmission in human cells". Thanks for posting this though!
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]