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Review
. 2021 Feb 8;18(4):1626.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041626.

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

Iqra Mehmood  1 , Munazza Ijaz  1 , Sajjad Ahmad  2 , Temoor Ahmed  3 , Amna Bari  4 , Asma Abro  5 , Khaled S Allemailem  6 , Ahmad Almatroudi  6 , Muhammad Tahir Ul Qamar  7
Affiliations
Review

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

Iqra Mehmood et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

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: COVID-19 vaccines; SARS-CoV-2; genomic characterization; pandemic; pathophysiology; therapeutic strategies.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Complete structural and genomic organization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [23].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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