Novel Coronavirus Revealed in Microscope

Images of the novel coronavirus have been isolated by researchers at Hamilton's Rocky Mountain Laboratory (RML). Researchers report the virus is similar to the 2012 MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) and the original SARS-CoV virus that emerged in 2002. They say the name corona is Latin for "crown,' referring to the spikes on the surface of the coronaviruses (see photo below). RML investigator Emmie de Wit, Ph.D., provided the samples which were received at the facility last week. Microscopist Elizabeth Fischer produced the images Tuesday, February 11, with scanning and tranmission electron microscopes. The RML visual medical arts office colorized the images. Rocky Mountain Labs are part of the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Allergy Infectious Diseases.