New research investigating how the very first variant of concern for the novel coronavirus developed has found that the Alpha variant evolved mutations that suppressed specific aspects of the immune system, similar to mutations seen in newer variants such as Omicron.
The Alpha variant of SARS-CoV-2-;the first "variant of concern"-;evolved mutations that allowed it to more efficiently suppress the immune system's early response to infection, according to a new study led by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco's Quantitative Biosciences Institute and University College London.
These three medical innovations ushered in by Covid-19 will survive the pandemic’s end
Researchers working on gene-based vaccines, wearable diagnostics and drug discovery explain their work. Representational image. | Joseph Campbell/Reuters
A number of technologies and tools got a chance to prove themselves for the first time in the context of Covid-19. Three researchers working in gene-based vaccines, wearable diagnostics and drug discovery explain how their work rose to the challenge of the pandemic, and their hopes that each technology is now poised to continue making big changes in medicine.
Genetic vaccines
Deborah Fuller, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Washington.
Three medical innovations fuelled by COVID-19 that will outlast the pandemic downtoearth.org.in - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from downtoearth.org.in Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.