Calibrating COVID

Todd Castoe, associate professor of biology at The University of Texas at Arlington, has co-authored two papers regarding the COVID-19 virus and its origins.

The frst study, “Viral CpG defciency provides no evidence that dogs were intermediate hosts of SARS-CoV-2,” was published in the July 13 edition

Photo: UTA of the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution.

It disputes the fndings of an earlier study from another research group claiming that the coronavirus may have jumped from dogs to humans.

The second is a study titled “Evolutionary origins of the SARS-CoV-2 sarbecovirus lineage responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic,” which was published in the July 28 edition of the journal Nature Microbiology. It reconstructs the evolutionary history of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the global COVID-19 crisis.

Blair Perry, a Ph.D. student in Castoe’s lab, is among the coauthors of both papers.

Castoe and David Pollock, professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics at the University of Colorado, are co-frst authors of the Molecular Biology and Evolution academic paper and were joined by an international team of collaborators. The paper refutes an earlier study that concluded the coronavirus may have made the leap from dogs to humans.

“CONSIDERING the ramifcations, scientists need to be particularly careful in interpreting fndings and avoid rushing to conclusions that are not wellsupported by solid evidence. We need to get this right.”

– Todd Castoe

CoV-2 is not justifed by the available evidence, the researchers concluded. In the Nature Microbiology study, researchers traced the evolutionary history of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and discovered that its genetic lineage has been circulating in bats for decades and likely includes other viruses with the ability to infect humans. Their fndings could help prevent future pandemics that stem from this lineage. “Understanding the origins of SARS-CoV-2 is a major priority because it may provide evidence for how and why this virus was transferred to humans, and how similar transfers to humans may be prevented in the future,” Castoe says. The team included scientists from the United States, Belgium, United Kingdom and China. They learned that the lineage of viruses to which SARS-CoV-2 belongs diverged from other bat viruses somewhere between 40-70 years ago. One trait that SARSCoV-2 shares with its relatives, the team found, is the receptor-binding CALIBRATING COVID domain located on the viral spike protein, which allows the virus to UTA biologist explores the origins of the coronavirus • By Greg Pederson recognize and bind to receptors on the surfaces of human

“Considering the ramifcations, scientists need to be particularly cells. The researchers concluded that the existing diversity and the careful in interpreting fndings and avoid rushing to conclusions recombination process among viruses in bats show how difcult it that are not well-supported by solid evidence,” Castoe says. “We will be to identify viruses with the potential to cause major outbreaks need to get this right.” in humans before they emerge. They state that efectively preventing

Castoe and his colleagues say that although the recent origin of future pandemics will necessitate better sampling in wild bats and

SARS-CoV-2 is uncertain, the best current evidence suggests that it the implementation of human disease surveillance systems that can was passed to humans by horseshoe bats or possibly pangolins, a kind quickly identify novel pathogens in humans and make real-time of scaly anteater found in China. There is strong evidence that the response possible. virus has recently jumped between these animals or other intermediate Funding for the research was provided by the Medical Research hosts and humans. Council, the European Research Council, the Research Foundation–

The proposition that dogs were likely recent ancestors of SARSFlanders, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

HOME SWEET! HOME

Tonya and David Cook Working with Mansfeld Custom Homes, David and Tonya Working with Mansfeld Custom Homes, David and Tonya Cook have built a dwelling that marries nostalgic craftsman Cook have built a dwelling that marries nostalgic craftsman style with the perks of modern design. style with the perks of modern design.

Mansfeld Mayor David Cook and his wife Tonya have a new downtown abode that confrms their optimism in the community

David Cook has said it before: “It’s been a tough year for all of us, but I’m flled with optimism.” Along with being optimistic about the future of our state and country, David Cook, Mayor of Mansfeld, and wife Tonya are flled with optimism about the future of Historic Downtown Mansfeld. So much so, they have chosen to build their forever home in the area and are loving every minute of it.

Working with Mansfeld Custom Homes, the couple united the things they love about the nostalgic craftsman style with the perks of modern design. Tonya’s attention to detail can be seen in every fnish throughout the home, and, with this being their third home to build together, they really have thought of everything.

The surprise reading nook as you make your way upstairs, the Murphy bed camoufaged in ship-lap, the custom designed exterior doors opening up to the wrap around front porch and the oh-so-many gathering places throughout the inside and outdoors are just a few of the reasons we wanted to share this beautiful home with you.

For more information on Mansfeld Custom Homes, call 682-552-4384.

– Julie Short

Here is a “mini tour” of the Cook home, which features an array of beautiful and practical features an array of beautiful and practical elements that make the dwelling special. elements that make the dwelling special.

Photos courtesy of Mansfeld Custom Homes

Scene

Snapshots of note from places and events in the Arlington/Mansfeld/Grand Prairie area

Patriot Day Patriot Day Commemorations Commemorations

Mayor Jeff Williams pays tribute to the fallen during the 9-11 commemoration at the Levitt Pavilion.

Arlington Police Officers presented the colors during the Levitt Pavilion ceremony.

Local veterans participated in the Levitt Pavilion memorial on Sept. 11.

Photos: City of Arlington Chaplain Rich Stoglin addresses the crowd at the event at the Levitt Pavilion.

Photos: Arlington Field of Honor

The Arlington Veterans Park Foundation organized the Patriot Day Field of Honor community display, which featured the flying of 911 flags at Veterans Park.

Members of Girl Scout Troop 3518 folded the flags after the commemoration at Veterans Park.

Arlington Arlington Fire Department Fire Department

Arlington’s TIFMAS team assisted with the wildfires in California.

Photos: Arlington Fire Department TIFMAS team members prepare to take on one of the dozens of wildfires.

Arlington Police Arlington Police Department Department

Photo: City of Arlington Officer Barry Samples went below and beyond to rescue a citizen’s cell phone. North Texas North Texas Giving Day Giving Day

Photo: Levitt Pavilion Arlington Hannah Kirby and Brad Thompson share news about the generous giving of local people during a North Texas Giving Day presentation at Levitt Pavilion Arlington.