Australian scientists said on Wednesday they have successfully grown the novel coronavirus in a lab, for the first time outside China, a “significant breakthrough” which they say may help combat the deadly virus that has claimed over 130 lives and infected thousands.
The researchers from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity — a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne hospital — said the advance will allow accurate investigation and diagnosis of the virus globally.
“Chinese officials released the genome sequence of this novel coronavirus, which is helpful for diagnosis, however, having the real virus means we now have the ability to actually validate and verify all test methods, and compare their sensitivities and specificities - it will be a game changer for diagnosis,” said Julian Druce from The Royal Melbourne Hospital.