Abstract:

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first broke out in Wuhan (China) and subsequently spread worldwide. Coronaviruses (CoVs) primarily cause zoonotic infections in birds and mammals however, in the last few decades have shown to be capable of infecting humans as well. The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and more recently, Middle-East respiratory syndrome, (MERS) has demonstrated the lethality of CoVs when they cross the species barrier and infect humans. Coronavirus (CoV) is a large family of viruses that cause afflictions ranging from the common cold to more severe pathologies such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has now been identified in humans. The recognition of a new coronavirus identified in December 2019, named CoVID-19 are common for coronavirus researchers. Detailed investigations found that SARS Coronavirus-2 was initially transmitted from civets to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Advances in biology have resulted in a greater understanding of coronavirus, including them to adapt to new environments, trans-species infection and the emergence of new subtypes. New tools of cell and molecular biology have led to an increased understanding of intracellular replication and viral cell biology. Along with the advent of reverse genetic approaches in the past five years; it is now possible to begin to define the determinants of viral replication, trans-species adaptation, and human disease. The most progress has been made on SARS-CoV 2, highlighting specific structural requirements for its functions in the CoV life cycle as well as mechanisms behind its pathogenesis. In this review, we will provide a through insight to the life cycle of CoV, its genetics, replication process and reverse genetic applications to SCoV along with advances in its research. This review aims to establish the current knowledge on CoV-2 by highlighting the recent progress that has been made and comparing it to previous knowledge. We also conclude with a brief discussion on practices to decrease risk factors for transmission and treatment options. 

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