The measles virus can be used as a molecular clock to trace outbreaks
The measles virus acts as a biological archive, allowing scientists to use its high mutation rate as a molecular clock to pinpoint the exact origins and transmission paths of global outbreaks with 99% accuracy.
Measles possesses an error-prone genetic structure that mutates at a predictable rate, creating a distinct virological trail. By sequencing its 15,894 nucleotides, scientists can categorize strains into 24 different genotypes. These genetic 'fingerprints' allow researchers to trace an outbreak back to a single index case, mapping how the virus travels across borders and through specific communities.
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