The new variant of concern – Omicron shows more mutations as compared to the Delta variant. The image was produced and published by the prestigious Bambino Gesu hospital in Rome.
The team of researchers shared a three-dimensional map image and shared an official statement, which read, “On the three-dimensional "image", which looks like a map, we can clearly see that the Omicron variant presents many more mutations than the Delta variant, concentrated above all in one area of the protein that interacts with human cells”.
According to the renowned media agency AFP, the researchers said, “This does not automatically mean that these variations are more dangerous, just that the virus has further adapted to the human species by generating another variant. Other studies will tell us if this adaptation is neutral, less dangerous or more dangerous”.
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One of the researchers – Claudia Alteri, professor of clinical microbiology at Milan State University, told the agency, “The research team focused on the search for mutations in "the three-dimensional structure of the spike protein”.
She further said that the image (or map) shows that the mutations of Omicron but does not define its role. She added that it will now be important to define through laboratory experiments whether the combination of these mutations can have an impact on transmission or on the effectiveness of vaccines.
Have a look at the map-like image: -
