SARS-CoV-2: An Update on Genomics, Risk Assessment, Potential Therapeutics and Vaccine Development

Iqra Mehmood, Munazza Ijaz, Sajjad Ahmad, Temoor Ahmed, Amna Bari, Asma Abro, Khaled S. Allemailem, Ahmad Almatroudi and Muhammad Tahir ul Qamar
Additional contact information
Iqra Mehmood: Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Munazza Ijaz: Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Sajjad Ahmad: Department of Microbiology and Pharmacy, Abasyn University, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Temoor Ahmed: Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Amna Bari: College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Asma Abro: Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics, Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta 87100, Pakistan
Khaled S. Allemailem: Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
Ahmad Almatroudi: Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
Muhammad Tahir ul Qamar: College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-23

Abstract: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a great threat to public health, being a causative pathogen of a deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It has spread to more than 200 countries and infected millions of individuals globally. Although SARS-CoV-2 has structural/genomic similarities with the previously reported SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, the specific mutations in its genome make it a novel virus. Available therapeutic strategies failed to control this virus. Despite strict standard operating procedures (SOPs), SARS-CoV-2 has spread globally and it is mutating gradually as well. Diligent efforts, special care, and awareness are needed to reduce transmission among susceptible masses particularly elder people, children, and health care workers. In this review, we highlighted the basic genome organization and structure of SARS-CoV-2. Its transmission dynamics, symptoms, and associated risk factors are discussed. This review also presents the latest mutations identified in its genome, the potential therapeutic options being used, and a brief explanation of vaccine development efforts against COVID-19. The effort will not only help readers to understand the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus but also provide updated information to researchers for their research work.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; pandemic; genomic characterization; pathophysiology; therapeutic strategies; COVID-19 vaccines (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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