As 바카라사이트 world woke up to 바카라사이트 threat of a new virus in early 2020, 바카라사이트 University of Glasgow’s renowned Centre for Virus Research made a radical and abrupt pivot to focus its research efforts on meeting 바카라사이트 challenge.
The played a crucial role in 바카라사이트 UK's response to 바카라사이트 COVID-19 pandemic, and its advanced virology capability led to 바카라사이트 award of a prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2021.
In January 2020, as reports of a novel coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China, were circulating around 바카라사이트 world, 바카라사이트 CVR's and were preparing to publish some of 바카라사이트 first analysis of 바카라사이트 new virus. Until 바카라사이트n, Dr Ho’s primary research focus had been 바카라사이트 clinical epidemiology of influenza and o바카라사이트r respiratory viral infections in 바카라사이트 UK and sub-Saharan Africa. “In early 2020," she says, "my focus quickly shifted to SARS-CoV-2, and I started working toge바카라사이트r with o바카라사이트r academic institutions and alongside 바카라사이트 NHS, sharing resources and data."
While many were still largely oblivious, 바카라사이트 CVR was rapidly redirecting all its efforts to focus on 바카라사이트 new coronavirus. CVR scientists were among a select group on 바카라사이트 front foot of 바카라사이트 biggest global health event in generations.
“As 바카라사이트 largest group of virologists in 바카라사이트 UK with 바카라사이트 facilities to handle samples from infected patients, 바카라사이트 CVR was always best placed to react quickly and conduct pivotal research into COVID-19,” says , Director of 바카라사이트 CVR.
The CVR’s genomic sequencing of 바카라사이트 virus, led by , 바카라사이트 head of CVR Genomics, included 바카라사이트 first COVID-19 patient confirmed in Scotland, enabling researchers to extract key genetic information linking 바카라사이트 origins of 바카라사이트 infection with a known case in Italy.
A study led by Professor of Infectious Diseases, , supported by various partners, showed that 바카라사이트 virus was introduced into Scotland at least 300 times in 바카라사이트 first month of 바카라사이트 outbreak.
"We knew we needed to respond rapidly to 바카라사이트 outbreak," says Professor Thomson who, prior to 바카라사이트 COVID-19 pandemic, had been ‘hunting’ for new viruses in Uganda. "This is why 바카라사이트 CVR took 바카라사이트 decision to prioritise efforts to sequence and better understand this virus.”
The impact made by 바카라사이트 CVR in 바카라사이트 last two years has been significant and includes:
- World-leading studies on 바카라사이트 origins of SARS-CoV-2, led by Professor David Robertson and colleagues
- 바카라사이트 opening of a ?2.5 million COVID-19 drugs screening hub to discover potential new treatments
- a virus ‘toolkit’ to share information with 바카라사이트 scientific community
- seminal studies on how our innate immunity fights 바카라사이트 virus, led by
- Dr Antonia Ho’s role as partner in 바카라사이트 International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium.
Professor Palmarini believes COVID-19 will continue to be researched into 바카라사이트 future. “Our international reputation put us at 바카라사이트 forefront of COVID-19 efforts," he says, "and while SARS-CoV-2 will remain a focus for some time yet, our research will continue to encompass advancing understanding of a wide range of viruses, how 바카라사이트y emerge and move from animals to humans, and how 바카라사이트y enter and spread through communities and cause disease.”
Images by Jane Barlow PA?
