DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18434373
title: MERS-CoV Anticipatory Sentinel Framework: Tiered Rules for Early Detection of Host-Adaptive Evolution

description: This dataset provides a tiered rulebook for genomic surveillance of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) evolution at the human-animal interface. The framework defines three escalating alert levels that trigger when natural viral isolates approach theoretically permissible fitness boundaries:

Tier-1 rules flag co-occurring mutations enhancing receptor engagement and immune evasion.

Tier-2 rules detect additive combinations with moderate risk profiles. 

Tier-3 rules identify silent codon adaptation signatures that signal early-stage host transition (camel → human) months to years before functional amino acid changes emerge.

Designed for integration with global sequencing pipelines, this anticipatory framework shifts surveillance from reactive detection to proactive risk assessment.

Full rule specifications, including residue coordinates and codon-level thresholds, are restricted to qualified public health and biosecurity researchers under institutional oversight. This ensures defensive utility for pandemic preparedness while preventing misuse.

The dataset complements boundary-mapping resources for Spike, nucleocapsid, and accessory proteins ORF4a/4b, enabling coordinated monitoring of MERS-CoV's evolutionary trajectory across structural and immune-modulatory systems.

 

 
description: DURC StatementThis dataset contains computational sentinel rules for defensive genomic surveillance of naturally occurring MERS-CoV isolates. All rules trigger exclusively on mutations already permitted by purifying selection in global viral populations (1,746 isolates, 2012-2019). No experimental protocols for viral reconstruction, reverse genetics, phenotypic enhancement, or gain-of-function research are provided, implied, or endorsed. Access to residue-level specifications is restricted to qualified public health and biosecurity researchers operating under institutional DURC review frameworks. This work complies with the U.S. Government Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern (2017) and WHO Guidance on Responsible Life Sciences Research. The sole purpose is anticipatory pandemic preparedness through early detection of natural host-adaptive evolution at the camel-human interface.

-Tahir Bhatti
description: Author Capability & Responsible Engagement Framework

Capability Statement:

The author is an independent researcher with experience in viral phenotypic analysis applied to genomic surveillance and pandemic preparedness research, with a focus on high-consequence respiratory pathogens. This work is conducted through computational, comparative, and interpretive frameworks aligned with established biosafety principles and international DURC best-practice guidance. Supporting research outputs are publicly documented through the author’s ORCID record.

Engagement FrameworkThe author welcomes scientific discussion with qualified researchers, clinicians, and institutions. Engagement is structured as follows:

Conceptual, computational, and surveillance-level discussion is open to individual researchers and collaborators through direct professional contact.

Experimental, phenotypic, or reconstruction-related topics are discussed only when a recognized institution, ethics committee, or biosafety authority formally sponsors or oversees the exchange.

Where institutional oversight is required, communication is expected to be routed through the relevant office or designated representative. This ensures responsible stewardship while enabling serious, high-value scientific dialogue across sectors.

This framework is designed to encourage engagement, signal technical competence, and maintain alignment with international responsible research guidance, while remaining accessible to individuals and independent scientists.