Changing Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2: A Global Challenge
Since November 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has been a matter of global concern due to its rapid spread, the millions of deaths it caused, and repeated waves of infections. One after another, many variants of this novel virus have come into existence due to its constant mutability, specifically in the spike gly...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/11/5546 |
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| author | Ananya Chugh Nimisha Khurana Kangna Verma Ishita Sehgal Rajan Rolta Pranjal Vats Rajendra Phartyal Deeksha Salaria Neha Kaushik Eun Ha Choi Mansi Verma Nagendra Kumar Kaushik |
| author_facet | Ananya Chugh Nimisha Khurana Kangna Verma Ishita Sehgal Rajan Rolta Pranjal Vats Rajendra Phartyal Deeksha Salaria Neha Kaushik Eun Ha Choi Mansi Verma Nagendra Kumar Kaushik |
| author_sort | Ananya Chugh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Since November 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has been a matter of global concern due to its rapid spread, the millions of deaths it caused, and repeated waves of infections. One after another, many variants of this novel virus have come into existence due to its constant mutability, specifically in the spike glycoprotein region. The tally for variants of concern (VOCs), which already include Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1) and Delta (B.1.617.2), has increased to five with the latest appearance of Omicron (B.1.1.529). In our study, we examine the effect of the transmissibility and infectious potential of the virus due to various mutations of SARS-CoV-2, especially in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). We discuss the role of genome sequencing in tracing all the mutations and the importance of the R value (reproductive number) to understand the virus spread. We also review the effectiveness of the available vaccines on the variants of concern, as the rapid spread of the newly emergent Omicron variant has raised doubts about the usefulness of the current vaccines. The use of a mixed vaccination strategy has proved to be effective, yet the newer variants, such as Omicron, demand booster doses for the population. Multivalent immunogens could be considered as the plausible solution for conferring protection against potential new mutants of the virus in the future. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:30:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-196c7ec32abd45ee9e1e99f9aefeb048 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:30:22Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-196c7ec32abd45ee9e1e99f9aefeb0482023-11-23T13:43:31ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172022-05-011211554610.3390/app12115546Changing Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2: A Global ChallengeAnanya Chugh0Nimisha Khurana1Kangna Verma2Ishita Sehgal3Rajan Rolta4Pranjal Vats5Rajendra Phartyal6Deeksha Salaria7Neha Kaushik8Eun Ha Choi9Mansi Verma10Nagendra Kumar Kaushik11Sri Venkateswara College, South Campus, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, IndiaSri Venkateswara College, South Campus, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, IndiaSri Venkateswara College, South Campus, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, IndiaSri Venkateswara College, South Campus, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, IndiaFaculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Solan 173229, IndiaSri Venkateswara College, South Campus, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, IndiaSri Venkateswara College, South Campus, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, IndiaFaculty of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, Shoolini University, Solan 173229, IndiaDepartment of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, The University of Suwon, Hwaseong 18323, KoreaDepartment of Electrical and Biological Physics, Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 01897, KoreaSri Venkateswara College, South Campus, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110021, IndiaDepartment of Electrical and Biological Physics, Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 01897, KoreaSince November 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has been a matter of global concern due to its rapid spread, the millions of deaths it caused, and repeated waves of infections. One after another, many variants of this novel virus have come into existence due to its constant mutability, specifically in the spike glycoprotein region. The tally for variants of concern (VOCs), which already include Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1) and Delta (B.1.617.2), has increased to five with the latest appearance of Omicron (B.1.1.529). In our study, we examine the effect of the transmissibility and infectious potential of the virus due to various mutations of SARS-CoV-2, especially in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). We discuss the role of genome sequencing in tracing all the mutations and the importance of the R value (reproductive number) to understand the virus spread. We also review the effectiveness of the available vaccines on the variants of concern, as the rapid spread of the newly emergent Omicron variant has raised doubts about the usefulness of the current vaccines. The use of a mixed vaccination strategy has proved to be effective, yet the newer variants, such as Omicron, demand booster doses for the population. Multivalent immunogens could be considered as the plausible solution for conferring protection against potential new mutants of the virus in the future.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/11/5546SARS-CoV-2variants of concernspike glycoproteininfectious potentialvaccine efficacygenome sequencing |
| spellingShingle | Ananya Chugh Nimisha Khurana Kangna Verma Ishita Sehgal Rajan Rolta Pranjal Vats Rajendra Phartyal Deeksha Salaria Neha Kaushik Eun Ha Choi Mansi Verma Nagendra Kumar Kaushik Changing Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2: A Global Challenge Applied Sciences SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern spike glycoprotein infectious potential vaccine efficacy genome sequencing |
| title | Changing Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2: A Global Challenge |
| title_full | Changing Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2: A Global Challenge |
| title_fullStr | Changing Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2: A Global Challenge |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changing Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2: A Global Challenge |
| title_short | Changing Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2: A Global Challenge |
| title_sort | changing dynamics of sars cov 2 a global challenge |
| topic | SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern spike glycoprotein infectious potential vaccine efficacy genome sequencing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/11/5546 |
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