Molekularna evolucija i epidemiologija virusa SARS-CoV-2

undergraduate thesis

• Title (english): Molecular evolution and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 virus
• Author: Mia Schwerer
• Mentor: Silvija Černi (mentor)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2022-08-05, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology

Abstract

Koronavirusi često uzrokuju bolesti u ljudi, a jedan od njih, virus SARS-CoV-2, nakon pojave u
Kini 2019. postao je problem svjetskih razmjera. S obzirom na to da je njegov genom pozitivna
jednolančana RNA molekula, ovaj virus ima relativno visoku stopu mutacija. Brojne mutacije kao
glavna pokretačka sila uzrokuju brzu evoluciju što sa sobom često nosi promjene u biološkim
karakteristikama virusa. Posebno su česte i problematične one u dijelu genoma koji kodira za
protein šiljka jer promjena samo jedne aminokiseline može značajno utjecati na interakcije između
proteina šiljka i receptora na stanici domaćina čime se mijenja infektivnost samog virusa. S
obzirom na prisutnost određenih mutacija do sada je identificirano pet varijanti koje izazivaju
zabrinutost zbog povećane sposobnosti rasprostranjivanja. Praćenjem virusne filodinamike, koja
se bavi utjecajem epidemioloških, imunoloških i evolucijskih procesa na gensku raznolikost virusa
moguće je dobiti uvid u geografsku rasprostranjenost i patogenezu spomenutih varijanti te
procijeniti eventualnu opasnost od razvoja novih. S ciljem olakšavanja istraživanja i boljeg
razumijevanja evolucije i rasprostranjivanja virusa gripe i koronavirusa pokrenuta je platforma
GISAID u sklopu koje su javno dostupne brojne nukleotidne sekvence te epidemiološki podatci.
Upravo na temelju tih podataka provode se mnoge analize koje doprinose razumijevanju evolucije
i patogeneza virusa SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract (english)

After its appearance SARS-CoV-2 virus shortly became a global problem. Given that its genome
is a positive single-stranded RNA, this virus has a relatively high mutation rate. Numerous
mutations as the main driving force cause rapid evolution, which often brings changes in the
biological characteristics of virus. Mutations in the part of genome that codes for spike protein are
especially common and problematic. The reason for this is that changing a single amino acid can
significantly affect interactions between spike protein and receptor on the host cell, thus changing
the infectivity. Due to the presence of certain mutations there are until now identified five variants
of concearn. By monitoring viral phylodynamics, which deals with the influence of
epidemiological, immunological and evolutionary processes ongenetic variability, it is possible to
gain insight into the geographical distribution and pathogenesis of variants and assess the eventual
risk of developing new variants. With the aim of facilitating better understanding of the evolution
of viruses and spread of influenza and coronaviruses, GISAID platform was launched, within
which nucleotide sequences and epidemiological data are publicly available. Based on these data,
many analyzes are carried out that contribute to the understanding of the evolution and
pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.

• Keywords: filodinamika; protein šiljka; varijante koje izazivaju zabirnutost; GISAID
• Keywords (english): phylodinamics; spike protein; varinats of concearn; GISAID
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:210557
• Study programme: Title: Molecular Biology; Study programme type: university; Study level: undergraduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) molekularne biologije (sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) molekularne biologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2022-10-05 09:03:34