Sequencing genome of the coronavirus from Wuhan could lead to vaccines

A laboratory assistant preparing a test for the Coronavirus at the Amedeo di Savoia hospital in Turin, Italy, on Jan 30, 2020.- EPA

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Ann): Even as masks are flying off the shelves and public spaces thoroughly scrubbed amidst a heightened sense of caution, scientists are hard at work to understand the genome of the novel coronavirus which originated in Wuhan, China.

The genetic material encodes information that is critical in helping scientists develop a diagnostic test and a vaccine for the coronavirus, which has killed more than 400 people and infected tens of thousands since the world first heard of it about a month ago.