The genomics of COVID

Coronaviruses, named for their crown-like appearance, are relative newcomers to the human viral encyclopedia, but they are anything but new to the viral landscape. Initially thought to cause relatively mild disease in humans, it is now clear that coronaviruses can cause significant morbidity and mortality. COVID-19 provided a ringside seat from which to watch scientists use genomics in hundreds of ways to learn about, protect against, and ultimately control the effects of this novel virus. This article provides an overview of how genomics was used from the very first reported case in Wuhan, China to the development of at-home test kits, vaccines, and understanding the genetic association with increased risk for severe illness.