Under the direction of Academician Nanshan Zhong, the SKLRD team under Professors Jicheng Huang and Jincun Zhao extracted the first 2019-nCoV strain from a Guangzhou locally infected patient’s specimen in P3 laboratory jointly built with Guangzhou Customs Technology Center. This was the first 2019-nCoV strain extracted from a Guangzhou locally infected patient’s specimen and the first strain extracted by the SKLRD.

It was a high-quality throat swab specimen provided by Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital from a Guangzhou locally infected patient as a result of family gathering. Through the multiple cell lines inoculated specimen, SKLRD eventually extracted the 2019-nCoV strain from Vero E6 cells, and the strain was of high research value.

Figure Dr. Jing Sun and Airu Zhu Working in P3 Laboratory

Thus far, SKLRD and Guangzhou Customs Technology Center have completed whole genome sequencing and variation analysis of the strain, and compared it against the 2019-nCoV reference genome (NC 045512.2). The genome orf1a/b and gene N of the strain had two important site mutations, indicating that the existing test methods need to be further renewed and optimized based on virus variation. The virus in mass culture can provide important “seed” resources for the variation of 2019-nCoV, antiviral drug screening, pathogenesis research and vaccine development. The research won the support of the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province Research Topic IV 2019-nCoV Drug Development for 2019-nCoV Prevention and Treatment Key Scientific Research Project.

In 2019, SKLRD and Guangzhou Customs Technology Center jointly founded the Guangdong Province Technical Collaborative Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Cross-Border Transmission of Infectious Diseases. After the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, the Center has given full play to its role under the direction of Academician Nanshan Zhong by collecting the latest pandemic information and preparing application materials regarding laboratory activities. The P3 Laboratory jointly established by both parties was designated as one of the first P3 laboratories qualified for 2019-nCoV laboratory activities approved by the National Health Commission on January 23, playing a vital role in active participation into Guangdong Province Key Scientific Research Project of 2019-nCoV Prevention and Treatment.