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cold_spring_harbor [2022/11/18 21:26]
pamela 		cold_spring_harbor [2023/09/27 16:23] (current)
pamela
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 The South Fork of LI is "The Hamptons" with Montauk Point the farthest end. There Gurney’s Inn became and remains an elite escape destination flanked by Hither Hills State Park and beach that protects a strip of land from the Atlantic Ocean to the Bay.  The South Fork of LI is "The Hamptons" with Montauk Point the farthest end. There Gurney’s Inn became and remains an elite escape destination flanked by Hither Hills State Park and beach that protects a strip of land from the Atlantic Ocean to the Bay. 
  
-Between the forks is Shelter Island notorious for bootleggers, gamblers and gangsters. Beyond the tip of the North Fork's Orient Point is [[:Plum Island Animal Disease Center]] and BSL4 lab dealing with the most dangerous virus and pathogens. "Since 1954, the DHS S&T Office of National Laboratories (ONL) Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) has served as the nation's premier defense against accidental or intentional introduction of FADs Foot and Mouth Disease. ((https://web.archive.org/web/20141117102917/https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/plum-island-animal-disease-center)) +Between the forks is Shelter Island notorious for bootleggers, gamblers and gangsters. Beyond the tip of the North Fork's Orient Point is [[:Plum Island]] Animal Disease Center and BSL4 lab dealing with the most dangerous virus and pathogens. "Since 1954, the DHS S&T Office of National Laboratories (ONL) Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) has served as the nation's premier defense against accidental or intentional introduction of FADs Foot and Mouth Disease. ((https://web.archive.org/web/20141117102917/https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/plum-island-animal-disease-center)) 
  
 There are two ferries that leave from Orient Point, one to New London for the public and separate ferry for cleared personnel to Plum Island. If we sail a little past Plum Island there is Fischer's Island that ranks high in the old money exclusive getaway spots and a nice sail from there to Newport.  There are two ferries that leave from Orient Point, one to New London for the public and separate ferry for cleared personnel to Plum Island. If we sail a little past Plum Island there is Fischer's Island that ranks high in the old money exclusive getaway spots and a nice sail from there to Newport. 
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 The authors have declared no competing interest. ((https://web.archive.org/web/20221015155327/https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.10.13.512134v1)) The authors have declared no competing interest. ((https://web.archive.org/web/20221015155327/https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.10.13.512134v1))
 +
 +==== Virus Promoters, DNA Clones and GMO Rice ====
 +
 +Discovery of a novel merbecovirus DNA clone contaminating agricultural rice sequencing datasets from Wuhan, China
 +
 +Abstract {{ ::gmo_rice_virus_dna_cold_spring_harbor_preprint_feb_2023.png?400|}}
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 +HKU4-related coronaviruses are a group of betacoronaviruses belonging to the same merbecovirus subgenus as Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which causes severe respiratory illness in humans with a mortality rate of over 30%. 
 +
 +The high **genetic similarity** between HKU4-related coronaviruses and MERS-CoV makes them an attractive subject of research for modeling potential zoonotic spillover scenarios. In this study, we identify a novel [[:coronavirus]] contaminating agricultural rice RNA sequencing datasets from [[:Wuhan]], China. 
 +
 +The datasets were generated by the [[:Huazhong Agricultural University]] in early 2020. We were able to assemble the complete viral genome sequence, which revealed that it is a novel HKU4-related merbecovirus. 
 +
 +The **assembled genome is 98.38% identical to the closest known full genome** sequence, Tylonycteris pachypus bat isolate BtTp-GX2012. Using in silico modeling, we identified that the novel HKU4-related coronavirus spike protein likely binds to human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), the receptor used by MERS-CoV. We further identified that the novel HKU4-related coronavirus genome has been inserted into a bacterial artificial chromosome in a format consistent with previously published coronavirus [[:infectious clones]]. 
 +
 +Additionally, we have found a near complete read coverage of the spike gene of the MERS-CoV reference strain HCoV-EMC/2012, and identify the **likely presence of a HKU4-related-MERS chimera in the datasets**. 
 +
 +Our findings contribute to the knowledge of HKU4-related [[:coronaviruses]] and document the use of a previously unpublished HKU4 reverse genetics system in apparent MERS-CoV related [[:gain-of-function]] research. Our study also emphasizes the importance of improved [[:biosafety]] protocols in sequencing centers and coronavirus research facilities.
 +
 +Competing Interest Statement
 +
 +The authors have declared no competing interest.
 +
 +Paper in collection COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 preprints from medRxiv and bioRxiv ((https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.02.12.528210v1))
  
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