The restrictions have also brought unique challenges to scientists. Some have suspended their usual research to study the coronavirus. Others have had their work or personal lives disrupted by lab closures, travel restrictions or problems sourcing equipment and reagents from suppliers in China.

In a Nature reader poll, more than 600 of you told us that the coronavirus had affected you, your colleagues and your research. These are some of your stories.

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From laboratory closures to equipment shortages, researchers worldwide tell Nature how they have been affected by the epidemic. ‘No one is allowed out’: readers tell Nature about their experiences.

Circa 2011

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Most bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin, discovered decades ago. However, such drugs are useless against viral infections, including influenza, the common cold, and deadly hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola.

Now, in a development that could transform how viral infections are treated, a team of researchers at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory has designed a drug that can identify cells that have been infected by any type of virus, then kill those cells to terminate the infection.

Taken at face value, China’s coronavirus containment strategy appears to be working. But can the official figures be trusted?

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China reports that new virus cases are declining, but the data may be tied to party politics.

The tool can precisely change any of DNA’s “letters” into any other and insert or delete any stretch of DNA — all more efficiently than previous CRISPR.