Most viruses circulating wild , though deadly , good transmission.They still animal viruses. “ This , almost Day One , ” Andersen said , “ appeared like human virus. ” Andersen , originally Denmark , wiry clean cut , cleft chin clipped enunciation.He working post office Aarhus decided might study molecular biology , went become first person family attend university.His career took investigations emergence West Nile virus , Ebola , Zika.After pandemic began , among scientists Anthony Fauci , director National Institute Allergy Infectious Diseases , consulted regarding origins virus.On January 31 , 2020 , according e-mail obtained BuzzFeed News , Andersen wrote Fauci others SARS-CoV-2 genome seemed “ inconsistent expectations evolutionary theory. ” Andersen noted “ really small part ” SARS-CoV-2 ’ genome “ unusual features. ” Its spike—the crucial bit surface protein coronavirus uses invade cell—appeared able bind tightly human-cell receptor known ACE2 .