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To: maceng2 who wrote (94516)	4/13/2003 5:52:02 AM
From: Richnorth	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 116976

Scientists break genetic code for Sars virus VANCOUVER -- Canadian scientists on Saturday broke the genetic code of the virus suspected of causing Sars, the first step towards developing a test for doctors to diagnose its victims, or in future, a possible vaccine. Currently, doctors worldwide diagnose Sars patients by a combination of unusual symptoms, including very high fever, breathing difficulty, a dry cough and contact with someone else suspected of having Sars. Because of the lack of a definitive test, the Sars diagnosis is currently labelled by doctors as either 'probable' or 'suspect'. The genetic code is the raw material needed by scientists trying to develop a diagnostic test, said Dr Marco Marra, director of the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, which is part of the British Columbia Cancer Agency. 'One could use these portions of the viral genome to test patients for infection by the virus,' said Dr Marra. Earlier this week scientists in several centres reported that Sars is most likely caused by a virulent new coronavirus, the type of virus that causes influenza, and laboratory researchers around the world raced to break its genetic code. The genetic sequence was posted on the Internet for use by other scientists around the world immediately after it was broken early on Saturday, and later was released to the public by the Genome Sciences Centre. The genome-sequencing laboratory in this west coast city is normally dedicated to cancer research, but came on board with Canada's National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, Manitoba and the BC Centre for Disease Control to help with the global fight against Sars. The new information, said Dr Marra, 'will tell us if Sars resembles other viral genomes, and gives us hints about the biology of the virus'. 'We anticipate there will be additional outbreaks,' said Dr Marra. 'It's important for us to learn the lessons from this experience, to prepare ourselves for the future.' -- AFP