Emerging Human Coronaviruses: Molecular Biology and Vaccine Challenges

Abstract

COVID-19 is a new public health crisis caused by the novel respiratory pathogen SARS-CoV-2. It is one of the most significant pandemic events in recent history. The SARS-CoV-2 Beta corona virus was transmitted to humans in the end of 2019 by unknown intermediary host from bats in Wuhan, Hubei province (China). It marked the third major coronavirus source of disaster in the 21stcentury.The three last severe respiratory tract infections caused by the SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 caused high human mortality. Viral genomic sequencing and investigations and the development of advanced vaccine strategies are expected to give us more information on these emerging pathogens and controlling them in the future. The aim of this review is to summarize updated information regarding these emerging human coronaviruses to understand their molecular and structural biology, transmissions and potential vaccine approaches actually developed against the SARS-CoV-2.