@NCPV @Micro_MDPI Can you comment on Professor Gallaher's statement concerning the possibility of SARS-COV-2 recombining with

@Pirbright_Inst @NCPV @Micro_MDPI Gallaher's "Prophecy" Is it Likely?
MERS + SARS-COV-2 Combo Event
MERS Situation Update - January 2020
https://t.co/K2AB0fTpJT
SA Cases:
https://t.co/ix083ozN0v
UAE Cases:
https://t.co/eCBVg3oSPo
@Pirbright_Inst @NCPV @Micro_MDPI 1. "Specificity of S is largely responsible for widespread & rapid communicability of SARS-CoV-2, with relatively low virulence in most infected; in contrast, spread of MERS is more easily contained, but its virulence is much higher, at 35%."
@Pirbright_Inst @NCPV @Micro_MDPI 2. A virus with high communicability of SARS-CoV-2 & the virulence of MERS would be apocalyptic in its impact!
There is a breakpoint sequence in MERS S (25215CAGAT) that is similarly very close in relative position to 25047CAGAT in SARS-CoV-2.....
@Pirbright_Inst @NCPV @Micro_MDPI 3. There is a 4th breakpoint sequence, between the receptor binding domain of MERS & the S1/S2 junction, that is precisely conserved in sequence & position with the corresponding location of SARS-CoV-2:
23577CAGAC in MERS
23300CAGAC in SARS-CoV-2
@Pirbright_Inst @NCPV @Micro_MDPI 4. This breakpoint, is identical in both viruses at the same relative position in the S1 protein sequence, where it defines an identical dipeptide, QT
(see underlined section in the PDF)
https://t.co/Glh98zcbWP
@Pirbright_Inst @NCPV @Micro_MDPI 5. There is potential, based on closely apposed or identical breakpoint sequences, that the bulk of the S1A and S1B domains of the S1 attachemnt subunit could be exchanged between MERS and SARS-CoV-2 in any mixed infection.
@Pirbright_Inst @NCPV @Micro_MDPI 6. While there is no indication that this has occurred in the wild, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic we face the unique situation of SARS-CoV-2 being present simultaneously in a substantial number of human beings worldwide.
@Pirbright_Inst @NCPV @Micro_MDPI 7. Simultaneous outbreaks of MERS, within or without areas where it has been found prevalent, could produce mixed infections in humans that we know have resulted in frequent recombination among Covs in the wild or in captive populations of animals.
@Pirbright_Inst @NCPV @Micro_MDPI 8. To the viruses, there is no known theoretical difference!
"Public health authorities should especially guard against simultaneous spread of more than one coronavirus in the human population at the same time & location"
https://t.co/O2CHJQVCXP

More from Billy Bostickson 🏴👁&👁 🆓

1. Some useful, albeit not fully developed, critiques of:

“The Origins of SARS-CoV-2: A Critical Review"

https://t.co/C9TyRyqHUr

have just been published here:
https://t.co/qCmzGCzRxn
by members of DRASTIC & others
@angoffinet @BahulikarRahul @MonaRahalkar @gdemaneuf

2. A refreshing contrast to the so-called "expert reactions" found here, including from one of the authors of the review (Prof David Robertson)!

"expert reaction to a preprint reviewing the evidence on the origins of SARS-CoV-2"

https://t.co/6kG6rstweP


3. Peter Gutierrez points out in his response that 4 of the authors of “The Origins of SARS-CoV-2: A Critical Review”, also wrote “Proximal Origin of SARS-COV-2”.

His critique focuses on:

1. RaTG13

2. Enhanced adaptation to the human host

https://t.co/eW8b2iK5xe


4. As to be expected, Sydney University and its iconic virologist, Eddie Holmes, who is "not available for interview", are crowing over this biased review
https://t.co/xrjpN1NxpO


This review contains elementary errors as exposed here:
1. https://t.co/YJ50huifly
one of the authors (Stuart Neil) then claimed
"Didn’t N501Y come up in ACE2 TG mice too?
https://t.co/HscNSEKdrZ
Emergent Bio-Kramer-BARDA-HHS-Kadlec-Fauci
U.S. Bet Big on Covid Vaccine Manufacturer Even as Problems Mounted https://t.co/o2lbFoXF5U
“Viral cross-contamination confirmed in the control cells for JANSSEN GMP Lot #8.”


an examination by The @nytimes of manufacturing practices at the Baltimore facility found serious problems, including a corporate culture that often ignored or deflected missteps and a government sponsor, BARDA, that acted more as a partner than a policeman."


https://t.co/3TszTYVhry


https://t.co/ng1oV1xrKI


https://t.co/TNQMo8LZ83
1. Thread: RaTG13 Real or Fake?
A Norwegian Scientist @Vehuardo recently claimed RaTG13 is an "authentic virus"
https://t.co/tAXMNTwdhA
This failed to take into account the work of our DRASTIC colleagues & other published analyses.
This thread is a polite attempt to educate.

2.
https://t.co/tw606vgHwp
which says RaTG13 doesn't make sense on how it was sequenced, or how the data got so messed up in the lab as to include copy paste mistakes, bat dna, pangolin dna, rice dna, mice dna, & nobody should use it to form conclusions until it's properly vetted

2 (cont)
"sequence is incomplete & provided segment doesn't function. The identified markers suggest partial match basis & actual virus itself as described by the sequence can't functionally exist due to incoherent structures that appear to be the result of sample contamination"


3. RaTG13 integrity is further attacked here:
The Validity of critical pieces of evidence for the natural origin of SARS-CoV-2 is Dubious, and needed to be

4. and here:
Major Concerns on the Identification of Bat Coronavirus Strain RaTG13 and Quality of Related Nature
Meat is high in Glycosaminoglycans
(central to coronavirus's ability to attach to host cells)
Beef, pork poultry, seafood are rich in heparan sulfate (glycosaminoglycans), highly charged anchors for SARSCoV2
Meat surfaces critical factors for transmission
https://t.co/yP6lH22OTF

1/5 Science behind that tweet just in case anyone thinks I speak without awareness ;)
Glycosaminoglycans from fresh water fish processing discard - Isolation, structural characterization, and osteogenic activity
https://t.co/fyjac03IuV
SALMON MOUTHS

2/5 Salmon Mouths 2
Characterization of Glycosaminoglycans in Gaping and Intact Connective Tissues of Farmed Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Fillets by Mass

3/5 Why does SARS-COV-2 like meat & seafood?
Glycosaminoglycan binding motif at S1/S2 proteolytic cleavage site on spike glycoprotein may facilitate novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) host cell entry
https://t.co/DpHF1WmxeG
Glycosaminoglycans and

4/5 Glycosaminoglycans
Role of in Infectious Disease
(same authors as above)
https://t.co/3q5dn2Io3Q
Glycosaminoglycans in Infectious Disease
https://t.co/Dep7aJlpLP
Murine Coronavirus with an Extended Host Range Uses Heparan Sulfate as an Entry

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