Mutational Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Austria
Following its quest to create the molecular basis for precision medicine and wishing to contribute to fight the COVID-19 pandemia, scientists at CeMM have been sequencing the SARS-CoV-2 genome since March 2020. An interdisciplinary team led by Andreas Bergthaler and Christoph Bock have since obtained more than 1100 samples from Austria, of which 747 resulted in full-length high quality SARS-CoV-2 genomes. These are deposited in the public database GISAID, and the platform is updated on a regular basis with additional sequences, in order to learn more about the molecular understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and the causative pathogen. Additional information can be found at https://www.sarscov2-austria.org/
Over the last few weeks, the United Kingdom has faced a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases leading to enhanced epidemiological and virological investigations. Analysis of viral genome sequence data identified a sizeable proportion of cases belonging to a new single phylogenetic cluster (B.1.1.7 lineage). The new SARS-CoV-2 variant is defined by 17 nonsynonymous, several of which are found in the viral spike protein, and still of uncertain functional significance. While it is known that viruses constantly change through mutation, and seldom does it lead to biological changes, the variant now increasingly observed in the UK may be associated with increased infectivity, although mechanistic data is still lacking.
The researcher at CeMM in collaboration with the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), are now looking for this specific SARS-CoV-2 variant with multiple spike protein mutations by sequencing additional virus samples in Austria. Among the latest sequenced and analyzed more than 150 virus samples since September (data still to be uploaded to GISAID), there was no evidence yet that the UK variant had already spread in Austria. However, this may change when new viral isolates are sequenced. This requires additional sequencing efforts, as well as continuing the strict compliance with existing safety measures.
CeMM is proud to be able to provide this important analysis of SARS-CoV-2 sequences for Austria and the international scientific community as quickly as possible, commensurate to the available means. CeMM, however, abstains from any speculative interpretation on the data it produces or from suggestions on policy measures.
