Scientists have found evidence that the coronavirus may be mutating and adapting to humans. By analyzing over 5,300 coronavirus genomes, researchers identified two mutations in the spike protein that the virus uses to infect cells. While currently rare, these mutations could help the virus spread more easily between people. Experts are concerned that further mutations could undermine vaccines and treatments that target the spike protein. Ongoing surveillance is needed to monitor any changes that could impact medical approaches.

1. Date :- 011th
– May – 2020 .
Acquired Data from www.MSN.com .
Scientists concernedthat coronavirus is adaptingto
humans
Ian Sample Science editor
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Scientists have found evidence for mutations in some
strains of the coronavirus that suggest the pathogen may
be adaptingto humans after spilling over from bats.
The analysis of more than 5,300 coronavirus genomes
from 62 countriesshows that while the virus is fairly
stable, some have gained mutations, includingtwo
genetic changes that alter the critical “spike protein”the
virus uses to infect human cells.
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Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine stress that it is unclearhow the

2. mutations affects the virus, but since the changes arose
independentlyin different countriesthey may help the
virus spread more easily.
© Provided by The Guardian Photograph:David
Cheskin/PA
The spike mutations are rare at the moment but Martin
Hibberd, professor of emerging infectious diseases and
a senior authoron the study, said their emergence
highlights the need for global surveillance of the virus
so that more worrying changes are picked up fast.
“This is exactly what we need to look out for,” Hibberd
said. “Peopleare making vaccines and other therapies

3. against this spike protein because it seems a very good
target. We need to keep an eye on it and make sure that
any mutations don’t invalidate any of these
approaches.”
Studies of the virus revealed early on that the shape of
its spike protein allowed it to bind to human cells more
efficiently than Sars, a related virus that sparked an
outbreakin 2002. The difference may have helped the
latest coronavirus infect more peopleand spread rapidly
around the world.
Scientists will be concerned if more extensive
mutations in the spike protein arise, not only because
they may alter how the virus behaves. The spike protein
is the main target of leading vaccines around the world,
and if it changes too much those vaccines may no
longer work. Other potential therapies, such as synthetic
antibodiesthat home in on the spike protein, could be
less effective, too.
“This is an early warning,” Hibberd said. “Even if these
mutations are not important for vaccines, other
mutations might be and we need to maintain our
surveillance so we are not caught out by deployinga
vaccine that only works against some strains.”
The scientists analysed 5,349 coronavirus genomes that
have been uploadedto two major genetics databases
since the outbreakbegan. By studying the genetic
makeup of the viruses, the scientists worked out how it

4. has diversified into different strains and looked for
signs that it was adaptingto its human host.
In an unpublishedstudy that has yet to be peer
reviewed, the researchers identified two broad groups of
coronavirus that have now spread globally. Of the two
spike mutations, one was found in 788 viruses around
the world, with the other present in only 32.
The study shows that, until January, one group of
coronaviruses in China escaped detection becausethey
had a mutation in the genetic region that early tests
relied on. More recent tests detect all of the known
types of the virus.
Last month, an international team of scientists used
genetic analyses to show that the coronavirus likely
originated in bats and was not made in a lab as some
conspiracy theorists have claimed.
Followthe government's latestguidance on
safeguardingyourselfduring the coronavirus
pandemic,includingtravel advicewithin and outside
the country. The World HealthOrganizationhas also
busted some myths surrounding coronavirus. The
Ministryof Health'sspecial helplineis availableat
+91-11-23978046, ncov2019@gmail.comand
ncov2019@gov.in.
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