Bats’ genes can help them fight off coronaviruses, study suggests

Photo4_Phyllostomus discolor_pale spear-nosed bat_Credit_ Brock _ Sheri – Copy

Genes that allow bats to fight off deadly diseases such as coronaviruses have been uncovered by a team of global scientists, according to a study.

Researchers generated and analysed six highly accurate genomes, which start to uncover bats’ ability as mammals to fly, survive fatal infections and navigate complete darkness using sound – known as echolocation.