PARKER ARTS LECTURE: Crowdsourcing Coronavirus

Crowdsourcing Coronavirus: Analyzing Experimental Data From One Epidemic To Understand The Current One

Time: 6:30 pm MST

Cost: FREE

Lecturer: Michael Edwards, CEO Bioinfo Solutions

To date, little is known about the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that is at the center of the current global epidemic. SARS-CoV-2 belongs to a new strain of human viruses that emerged from Wuhan providence in China in December 2019. There are very few animal studies addressing the host response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the virus is very similar at the genetic level to the previously identified human infecting coronavirus responsible for the 2002-3 pandemic, including targeting the same cells and producing almost identical infection symptoms. These observations provide the rationale for mining the vast array of previous studies on coronavirus infection to understand the current viral outbreak. Results from this meta-analysis gives us insight into how the current coronavirus affects its host and possible ways we can either help prevent or treat the infection.

Patrons may choose to attend the lecture in-person at the PACE Center or chose to receive a link to live-stream the lecture from the comfort of their home. Patrons attending in-person should plan to wear a mask and sit socially distanced from other parties. Patrons receiving a live-stream will receive a video link and password 48 hours prior to the lecture from Parker Arts Patron Services.