To date, the origin of viruses remains murky for cell biologists and virologists. And the fact it replicates itself within the cells it invades makes it even more difficult for scientists to classify it, as per the biological classification. Numerous scientists around the world are putting the pieces together, based on viral histories, in a bid to trace the origin of the viruses.
In this regard, SiriusXT, a University College Dublin (UCD) spin-out, and two UCD researchers are working on a 4-year CoCID (Compact Cell-Imaging Device) project. The mission of the project is to provide insights into the cellular origins of viral diseases like hepatitis C, hepatitis E, herpesvirus, and SARS-CoV-2.