McMaster researchers part of virus breakthrough

Researchers from McMaster University, Sunnybrook and the University of Toronto have made a key breakthrough in the battle against COVID-19, the deadly virus that is causing a worldwide pandemic.

The team has isolated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (known clinically as SARS-CoV-2), the agent responsible for the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, the hospital said Thursday night on its website.

The isolated virus will help researchers in Canada and across the world develop better diagnostic testing, treatments and vaccines, and gain a better understanding of the biology and evolution of the virus, the hospital said.

“We need key tools to develop solutions to this pandemic. While the immediate response is crucial, longer-term solutions come from essential research into this novel virus,” said Dr. Samira Mubareka, a microbiologist and infectious diseases physician at Sunnybrook.

The team — Dr. Samira Mubareka and Dr. Rob Kozak of Sunnybrook and University of Toronto; Dr. Arinjay Banerjee and Dr. Karen Mossman of McMaster University — was able to culture the virus from two clinical specimens in a Level 3 containment facility.

Banerjee, a post-doctoral fellow at McMaster University, said collaboration is the key.

“Now that we have isolated the SARS-CoV-2 virus, we can share this with other researchers and continue this teamwork,” he said.

“The more viruses that are made available in this way, the more we can learn, collaborate and share.”