“...they’re getting backup that’s been possible only since the explosion in genetic technologies: a deep-dive into the DNA of the virus known as 2019-nCoV.”
Corona viruses have no DNA, only a single strand of RNA. However they can use the Reverse Transcriptase enzyme to convert the RNA strand to DNA.
“However they can use the Reverse Transcriptase enzyme to convert the RNA strand to DNA.”
To clarify “they” refers to the scientists.