At genXone, we look at the genomes of various organisms on a daily basis, reading their exact sequence using nanopore sequencing. It gives us the opportunity to get to know and better understand the mechanisms of life. Therefore, in the face of the ongoing epidemic, it was a natural step for us to read and study the sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus genomes.

Coronavirus sequencing analysis

We analyzed the sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus genotypes, which were identified in our Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. A single virus genome carries information about the history of its mutation. So its sequencing allows us to get to know the exact data from which we can reconstruct, for example, the path of subsequent infections. Comparing the genomes of many coronaviruses allowed us to recreate a family tree on which characteristic bifurcations arise at the time of each subsequent mutation.

Coronavirus mutation in Poland

The SARS-CoV-2 virus evolution process can be observed directly in the cells of people tested at genXone. Sequenced samples show that in one patient it is possible to have up to two different variants of the coronavirus at the same time. We identified at least 2 such samples.

The analyzed sequences of Polish coronaviruses generally match European patterns. In Europe, we indicate representatives of two main strains: B.1 / GH and B.1.1 / GR and the lack of visible viruses directly related to China. A closer look at the results of the analysis allows us to suspect that the B.1 / GH strain came to us from Germany. However, in the case of the B.1.1 / GR strain, its branches were already present in March in England, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, and also in Poland. This does not allow us to identify a specific direction of the virus flow, and it should even be noted that the virus could have travelled both ways – from abroad to Poland, and from Poland to other countries.

Coronavirus mutation – interesting fact

The cases that we observed in the samples from the łódzkie
voivodeship are noteworthy. Well, we have identified 5 samples here that have a characteristic variant visible only in four other people in the world. These are three samples from England and one from the USA. The sequences of the genomes of these viruses indicate the probability that one of the patients in England (in April this year) was infected with the coronavirus having a new variant, and then the mutant virus travelled to the łódzkie voivodeship, where it continued to evolve independently of the other two English cases. The sample from the USA is a separate, early (identified in March this year) case of the same mutation. This variant may prove to be returning or recombinant, and also important for viral contagiousness, as it apparently changes an amino acid in the S protein “Spike”, which allows the virus to enter human cells by binding to the ACE2 receptor embedded in the cell membrane.