Frequently Asked Questions

Q1- What is CoronaVR ?

CoronaVR is an integrative platform dedicated to the genomes, proteomes, epitopes, therapeutics (siRNAs, sgRNAs and miRNAs) alongwith primers and an anlysis section for the coronavirus.

It comprises of whole genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2, its respective functional information regarding proteins, genes, and structural content, epitopes, therapeutics, primers and various tools.

It also includes "CoronaBrowse", a graphical genome browser for the collective representation of annotation and regulatory information about SARS-CoV-2 viral genome.

Q2-How is CoronaVR helpful in coronavirus research?

So far, there is no unified web-resource available for novel SARS-CoV-2 study and analysis of its genomic and proteomic components.

We have analyzed and compiled complete genomic, proteomic and structural data along with therapeutically potential candidates as well as vaccine epitopes that may be helpful to control and prevent COVID-19.

It is imperative for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) research since it addresses its important components in a comprehensive and detailed manner alongwith useful tools for analysis.

Q3-What type of data does CoronaVR address?

It highlights the Epitope (B-cell and T-cell epitopes) details alongwith their conservancy level with other coronaviruses proteins, critical for vaccine development is also available.

Furthermore, CoronaVR also deals with therapeutically imperative constituents i.e. siRNAs, miRNAs and sgRNA.

This Resource also provides primers list and related knowledge for molecular diagnostics applications.

It also comprises of whole genome sequences, their respective functional information regarding proteins, genes, and structural content.

Additionally, it also delivers sophisticated analysis such as whole-genome alignments, conservation and variation, codon usage bias, codon context, phylogenetic inferences at whole genome; gene and protein level with user-friendly visual environment.

It offers highly interactive genomic browser (CoronaBrowse) to explore genomic and regulatory components powered by JBrowse.

It also provides useful analysis tools like a local cBLAST server, Prostr Viewer and Physicoprop.

Q4-What epitope-related information is available in CoronaVR?

CoronaVR harbors information related to predicted B-cell, T-cell (MHC-I and II binders, CTL, CD8 and CD4) epitopes that can be used as putative vaccine candidates.

We have also predicted the antigenicity, toxicity, allergenicity and IFN gamma secreting tendency (for MHC-II restricted epitopes) of these probable vaccine candidates along with the expected population coverage provided by T-cell epitopes.

Apart from that, the experimentally confirmed epitopes (B-cell and T-cell) of SARS-CoV sharing various level of conservancy within the proteins of SARS-CoV-2 are also available.

Q5-How CoronaVR can be used in therapeutics?

It has a dedicated section for RNAi based therapeutics such as siRNAs, sgRNAs and miRNAs. We have predicted these sequences with highly accurate in-house developed and various other prediction tools. These can be used as therapeutics to control the coronavirus propagation, specifically SARS-CoV-2.

Q6-Is CoronaVR virus resource freely accessible?

The CoronaVR is freely accessible to facilitate the research on coronavirus, specifically the COVID-19 causing, novel coronavirus i.e., SARS-CoV-2. All curated and annotated genomic and proteomic data can be downloaded to perform in-house analysis.

It can be publically accessed from our website http://bioinfo.imtech.res.in/manojk/coronavr/

Q7-Whom to contact for any query regarding CoronaVR?

For any query or comments, you can contact to Dr. Manoj Kumar (Principal Scientist, CSIR IMTech, India) through this email id- manojk@imtech.res.in

Q8-How to protect yourself from COVID-19 disease?

The best prevention method is to avoid exposure to this virus. It spreads mainly from person-to-person, so maintain a distance of atleast 6 feet with other person. It is transferred through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs (WHO).