Judy Savitskaya, a bioengineering expert from the a16z Bio team, shares her insights on the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV. She explains the unique characteristics and spread of coronaviruses compared to past outbreaks like SARS and MERS. Savitskaya highlights the rapid genomic sequencing advancements that are revolutionizing treatments and epidemic responses. The discussion also unwraps the virus's origins, R0 measurement, and the urgency behind vaccine development, all crucial in navigating this fast-evolving situation.
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insights INSIGHT
Virus: Alive or Dead?
Viruses are not quite alive, nor dead, existing in a state in between.
They only reproduce but don't metabolize, causing debate about their living status.
insights INSIGHT
Coronavirus Categories
Coronaviruses are named for their crown-like appearance under electron microscopes.
Different types of coronaviruses, including SARS and MERS, are categorized using Greek letters.
insights INSIGHT
Coronavirus Severity
Coronaviruses cause 10-30% of common colds.
More severe coronaviruses, like SARS, MERS, and COVID-19, infect the lower respiratory tract.
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This episode of 16 Minutes on the news from a16z is all about the recent coronavirus outbreak -- or rather, a new type of coronavirus called 2019-nCoV for 2019 novel coronavirus. Since it's an ongoing and fast-developing news cycle, we take a quick snapshot for where we are, what we know, and what we don't know, and discuss the vantage point of where tech comes in. Topics covered include:
definition of a virus, categories of coronaviruses
origins and spread
how this stacks up so far against SARS and MERS
speed of sequencing, implications of genomic info
speed of information sharing
R0 ("r-naught"/"nought") and what it measures
different ways to think about how bad a given epidemic is
current moves and treatments
Our a16z guest is Judy Savitskaya on the bio team, in conversation with Sonal Chokshi.
Link sources or background readings for this episode:
Other background readings / pieces mentioned in this episode:
"Scientists are moving at record speed to create new coronavirus vaccines--but they may come too late", Jon Cohen, Science (AAAS), January 27
"Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China", The Lancet, January 24
"Discovery of a novel coronavirus associated with the recent pneumonia outbreak in humans and its potential bat origin", bioRxiv, January 2 *note - preprint, NOT peer reviewed*
"The deceptively simple number sparking coronavirus fears", Ed Yong, The Atlantic, January 28*this appeared AFTER this episode was recorded, so sharing here as additional reading only*
Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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