Here’s what to know.
But contrary to some of these scary headlines, the reality of when and why SARSCoV2 (i.e.
You might get infected by 100 or even 10,000 different viral particles.
Changes in this code happen only when the virus replicatesaka makes copies of itself to survive.
This enzyme acts as a cheap photocopier, Dr. Kennedy explains.
That photocopier is not a really good one.
Lucy van Dorp, PhD, is a senior research fellow at the University College London Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment.
It makes mistakes left and right, he adds.
These mistakes happen fairly regularly and randomly.
Sometimes, however, a mutation creates an advantage for the virus.
Maybe the virus can infect other cells faster, or it attaches to cells a little better.
It survives in the environment a little longer, or it produces more virus, says Dr. Kennedy.
Most wont go anywhere, he says.
Tracking the viruss genome allows scientists to identify and isolate new variants quickly and to update vaccines accordingly.
Time will tell as we accumulate more information on the virus, Dr. Kennedy says.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
Lucy van Dorp, PhD, is a senior research fellow at the University College London Department of Genetics, Evolution & Environment.
Thats [the area] where neutralizing antibodies, either from infection or vaccination, are targeting.
But what happens if it accumulates more mutations?
Thats always the concern.
In January, biotech company Novavax reported its phase three coronavirus vaccine trial results.
Its vaccine had nearly 90 percent efficacy in the U.S. and U. butonly 60 percent efficacy in South Africa.
Part of that could be due to different populations and different underlying health conditions, says Dr. Kennedy.
But it also might be because the South Africa variant was present.
Thats already some data suggesting that vaccines wont be as effective.
Its going to be a continual race.
Theyll just keep changing it to keep pace with the mutations, says Dr. Kennedy.
Theres good reason to hope, too, that existing vaccines will still tame the pandemic.
The problem remains that scientists arent yet sure if vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus.
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