1918 virus genome reconstruction

In 1918, scientists reconstructed the virus responsible for the devastating flu pandemic by analyzing preserved lung tissue from victims and recovering small fragments of viral genetic material called RNA. They used advanced techniques to piece together these fragments, effectively assembling the virus's complete genome. This process involved sequencing the RNA, understanding its structure, and comparing it to related viruses. Reconstructing the 1918 flu genome helped researchers study how the virus caused disease and guided strategies for future immunity and vaccine development, providing valuable insights into one of history’s deadliest pandemics.