COVID-19 carries its genetic material in single strands of RNA and invades human cells via the receptor angiotensin (peptide hormone) converting enzyme II (ACE2). Lung cells that have ACE2 expression may be the main target cells during 2019-nCoV infection, but it also can invade cardiovascular, digestive, and urinary tract systems.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a valuable tool for the characterization of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) with comprehensive RNA transcript profiling. Sequencing viral RNA can help understand differences between viral strains and may explain virulence and disease severity. This may help better understand the individual’s response to the coronavirus infection and, possibly, treatments.