Chapter 1
The outbreak and global spread of SARS-CoV-2
Chapter 2
Deciphering the virus: Science under the microscope
Chapter 3
The race for a shield: Vaccine breakthrough
Chapter 4
A world transformed: Adaptation and future prep
YOUR GOAL
Master of The story of the COVID-19 pandemic
Ch 2 · Deciphering the virus: Science under the microscope
doctorx Unknowing carriers transmitted SARS-CoV-2 without symptoms, making traditional temperature checks and health screenings insufficient to stop the virus.
doctorx Glowing spike-protein spheres float near plexiglass barriers in a clinical blue metropolis.
Fun Fact
Super-spreading events: Research shows that in early 2020, about 10% to 20% of infected individuals were responsible for 80% of all SARS-CoV-2 transmissions.
Glossary
genome (noun)
The complete set of genetic material present in a cell or organism. Chinese researchers shared the first complete SARS-CoV-2 genome online on January 11, 2020, to accelerate global research.
The complete set of genetic material present in a cell or organism. Chinese researchers shared the first complete SARS-CoV-2 genome online on January 11, 2020, to accelerate global research.
Quiz
Which human cell receptor does the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein bind to in order to enter human cells?
Quiz
What main viral component do rapid antigen tests detect to determine if a person has COVID-19?
Quiz
In what month of 2020 was the complete genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 first published online for global scientists?
Quiz
Which specific structural part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus did scientists target to design almost all major COVID-19 vaccines?
Quiz
What does 'PCR' stand for in the context of the highly accurate COVID-19 diagnostic tests?
Quiz
What public online database received the first uploaded genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on January 11, 2020?