Here’s what happens to science when California’s researchers shelter in place

ilseu — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 22:50:11 +0000

Here’s what happens to science when California’s researchers shelter in place ilseu Tue, 03/31/2020 - 15:50 More CNAS in the Media Rachel Becker | CalMatters March 26, 2020

CALMATTERS - As California officials desperately try to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Chris Miller is coaxing a sample of the virus to grow in a secure laboratory at UC Davis.

Working in a laboratory nestled inside containment rooms and cut off from the world by filters, scientists dressed in space suit-like protective gear are feeding cells to a virus isolated from a COVID-19 patient at UC Davis Medical Center.

The goal is to create a supply of viral genetic material to help the clinical pathology team develop new tests. Without these viral samples to provide an unequivocally positive result, researchers can’t tell if a test is truly working.

It’s a new mission for Miller, who, until about two weeks ago, was studying HIV and working to develop a pandemic flu vaccine. “Flu, at the time, seemed like the virus that was going to kill us all and was going to be the big pandemic,” Miller said. “But it seems like coronavirus has other plans.”

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William Ota

Here’s what happens to science when California’s researchers shelter in place