Emergence and rapid spread of a new SARS-CoV-2 lineage with multiple spike mutations in South Africa

“Here, we describe a new SARS-CoV-2 lineage (501Y.V2) characterised by eight lineage-defining mutations in the spike protein, including three at important residues in the receptor-binding domain (K417N, E484K and N501Y) that may have functional significance.  More...

Mutations arising in SARS-CoV-2 spike on sustained human-to-human transmission and human-to-animal passage

“Spike mutations have also occurred during interspecies transfers of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to animals, both during establishment of experimental models of COVID-19 and as an unintended consequence of human interactions with domestic, curated and commercial animals.”  More...