In an advance that will help scientists track coronavirus variants in wild and domesticated animals, researchers report they can now detect exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in any animal species. Most coronavirus antibody tests require specialized chemical reagents to detect host antibody responses against the virus in each species tested, impeding research across species. 

Even though it’s been more than two years and much has changed about the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers like Illinois Computer Science professor Mohammed El-Kebir (IGOH) continue to investigate the virus to ensure the medical and scientific community are better prepared to respond if something similar occurs in the future.

A recent paper from El-Kebir, investigates transcription regulatory sequences. The papers states TRSs play a critical role in discontinuous transcription in coronaviruses.

Influenza, SARS and COVID-19 are all zoonotic diseases, readily transmitted from animals to humans. The viruses that cause these diseases also share traits that allow them to quickly mutate, infect widely and spread around the world.

In a new podcast, a veterinarian and expert in zoonotic diseases offers insights into the special characteristics of the new coronavirus that make it more like influenza and less like SARS or the virus that causes the especially lethal Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome.