Called gain-of-function research , studies improve pathogen 's ability cause disease researchers characterize interactions humans , allowing evaluation potential cause pandemic informing public health , preparedness , development potential therapeutics vaccines.Shi Zhengli , PhD , director Center Emerging Infectious Diseases Wuhan Institute Virology , biosafety level 4 ( BSL-4 ) lab China relatively close ( 25 35 kilometers [ 15 22 miles ] ) Wuhan live-animal market epicenter China 's outbreak , extensively published genetic sequences isolates bat coronaviruses studies.None match COVID-19 , Andersen said , something Shi confirmed recent interview Scientific American . `` If would published sequence virus pops , would known came lab , '' Andersen said . `` There 's evidence , plenty evidence . ''