Henning Stahlberg, which established the DCI onEPFL university city, declared: “We are working with the virology research group led by Didier Throne and the protein research group led by Florence Pojer to produce an accurate picture of the spike protein structure of the Omicron variant. “
The DCI had already produced an image of the original virus spike protein at a resolution of 2Å, the highest resolution obtained to date, allowing scientists to visualize individual atoms: “We can now see exactly which mutations allow the Omicron variant to fully resist the vaccine AstraZeneca and to that Pfizer partially“Says Stahlberg.
Omicron variant: here’s what the research says
With high-resolution electron microscopy images, scientists can improve their understanding of how the mutated spike protein binds to cellular ACE2 receptors, which is what allows the virus to enter human cells.. This knowledge could help pave the way for new therapeutic approaches.
“Defining the structure of Omicron’s Spike protein less than a month after this variant is first identified is like landing on a planet in the weeks following its first observation with a telescope.“, He reflects Didier Throne. “The potential of this technology is simply incredible ”.
The structural analysis, which has not yet been peer reviewed, was published today (December 30th ed). Scientists around the world can now use it for their own research on how the Omicron variant responds to existing drugs.
The Micron SARS-COV-2 was reported on November 24, 2021 and declared a variant of concern a couple of days later. With its constellation of mutations acquired by this variant on its Spike glycoprotein and the speed with which this new variant replaced the previously dominant Delta variant in South Africa and the UK, it is critical to have atomic structural insights to reveal the mechanism of its rapid proliferation.
The omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in 89 countries, and cases of COVID-19 involving the variant double every 1.5-3 days in places with community-based transmission and not just infections acquired overseas, the World Organization said Saturday. health care.
The “substantial growth advantageOmicron’s relative to the delta variant means it is likely to soon overtake delta as the dominant form of the virus in countries where the new variant is spreading locally, the UN health agency said.
WHO noted that omicron is spreading rapidly even in countries with high vaccination rates or where a significant percentage of the population has recovered from COVID-19. It is unclear whether the rapid growth in omicron cases is due to the variant escaping existing immunity, being inherently more transmissible than previous variants, or a combination of both, the WHO said.
Other important questions about omicron remain unanswered, including the effectiveness of each of the existing COVID-19 vaccines against it. Additionally, there is still no conclusive data on how omicron makes COVID-19 patients sick, the health agency said.
Many countries have experienced record rates of coronavirus infections as the omicron variant takes hold around the world: France, Britain, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Malta, the United States, Bolivia, Australia and other nations all experienced a record surge in cases on Tuesday, December 28 or Wednesday, December 29.
The dramatic increase prompted a warning from the general manager of the Organization M.wave of the S.anity Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “Delta and omicron are now twin threats driving cases to record numbers, leading to spikes in hospitalizations and deaths“, Tedros declared in a press conference:”I am very concerned that omicron, being highly transmissible and spreading at the same time as Delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases “.
France has the highest rate of new infections in Europe, with 208,000 new cases reported on Wednesday 29 December: “This means that 24 hours a day, day and night, every second in our country, two French people are diagnosed as positive “the health minister explained to lawmakers on Wednesday Olivier Veran. “We have never experienced such a situation “, he said, describing the increase in cases as “dizzying“.
Germany is expected to see similar increases in omicron cases, although the numbers are slightly behind. Uwe Janssens, who heads the German Society of Internal Medicine and Intensive Care, said reliable data on the proportion of the omicron variant in Germany is currently not available as COVID reports have been delayed and test volumes have decreased over the Christmas holidays.
#Omicron #secrets #revealed #microscope