Scientists in laboratories across the world seized upon the genome sequence of the new virus: a 30,000-character-long string of four molecules – adenine, cytosine, guanine and uracil.

Some used it to try to re-create and grow the virus in the lab; others to trace the virus’ origins and understand its place in the larger coronavirus family. And a small group of vaccine developers in Europe, North America and China used the genetic data to create prototype vaccines against Covid-19.