US now ramping up to track mutant viruses, but effort may be too little, too late

ATLANTA — Machines whir away as scientists in the lab at the Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University try to unlock the code of disease that can pose a threat to human life. Jin-Xiong She, the lab’s director, is making sure genetic material from patients is properly sequenced to identify the mutation to blame for their illnesses. He has used the genetic sequencing platforms to answer lingering questions about juvenile diabetes and other ailments. Now, he and his staff of scientists stand ready to help in solving one of the greatest s...