Direct RNA sequencing and early evolution of SARS-CoV-2

Taiaroa, G.; Rawlinson, D.; Featherstone, L.; Pitt, M.; Caly, L.; Druce, J.; Purcell, D.; Harty, L.; Tran, T.; Roberts, J.; Catton, M.; Williamson, D.; Coin, L.; Duchene, S.

doi:10.1101/2020.03.05.976167

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.03.05.976167

Direct RNA sequencing and early evolution of SARS-CoV-2

Taiaroa, G.·Rawlinson, D.·Featherstone, L.·Pitt, M.·Caly, L.·Druce, J.·Purcell, D.·Harty, L.·Tran, T.·Roberts, J.·Catton, M.·Williamson, D.·Coin, L.·Duchene, S.

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Abstract

Fundamental aspects of SARS-CoV-2 biology remain to be described, having the potential to provide insight to the response effort for this high-priority pathogen. Here we describe the first native RNA sequence of SARS-CoV-2, detailing the coronaviral transcriptome and epitranscriptome, and share these data publicly. A data-driven inference of viral genetic features and evolutionary rate is also made. The rapid sharing of sequence information throughout the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic represents an inflection point for public health and genomic epidemiology, providing early insights into the biology and evolution of this emerging pathogen.

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Taiaroa, G., Rawlinson, D., Featherstone, L., Pitt, M., Caly, L., Druce, J., Purcell, D., Harty, L., Tran, T., Roberts, J., Catton, M., Williamson, D., Coin, L., Duchene, S.. 2020-03-07. Direct RNA sequencing and early evolution of SARS-CoV-2. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.05.976167

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