Betacoronaviruses, which include the SARS-related coronaviruses (sarbecoviruses) such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as well as the MERS-related coronaviruses (merbecoviruses) such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), have caused three deadly outbreaks in humans over the past two decades: SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. In particular, COVID-19 has remained a major global issue since the pandemic began in 2019, with no clear end in sight. All of these viruses are known to have originated from bats. However, it is still poorly understood what kinds of coronaviruses bats actually carry. Therefore, our research aims to identify and characterize the coronaviruses present in bats, in order to prepare for the possible emergence of new coronavirus infections in the future.
Educational approach
Understanding Bat Coronaviruses
Betacoronaviruses, which include the SARS-related coronaviruses (sarbecoviruses) such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as well as the MERS-related coronaviruses (merbecoviruses) such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), have caused three deadly outbreaks in humans over the past two decades: SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. In particular, COVID-19 has remained a major global issue since the pandemic began in 2019, with no clear end in sight. All of these viruses are known to have originated from bats. However, it is still poorly understood what kinds of coronaviruses bats actually carry. Therefore, our research aims to identify and characterize the coronaviruses present in bats, in order to prepare for the possible emergence of new coronavirus infections in the future.
Vision for industry-academia collaboration
Understanding Bat Coronaviruses
Betacoronaviruses, which include the SARS-related coronaviruses (sarbecoviruses) such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as well as the MERS-related coronaviruses (merbecoviruses) such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), have caused three deadly outbreaks in humans over the past two decades: SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. In particular, COVID-19 has remained a major global issue since the pandemic began in 2019, with no clear end in sight. All of these viruses are known to have originated from bats. However, it is still poorly understood what kinds of coronaviruses bats actually carry. Therefore, our research aims to identify and characterize the coronaviruses present in bats, in order to prepare for the possible emergence of new coronavirus infections in the future.
