Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Genetic Drift

Genetic Drift

Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).

Viral Mutations

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material...

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...

Cross-reactivity

Cross-reactivity

Viral Recombination

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

MHC one-two punch knocks out cancer.

The Journal of experimental medicine·2026

Same author

Inflammatory stress-induced amino acid transformation generates diabetogenic T cells.

Nature immunology·2026

Same author

Evolution of a fuzzy ribonucleoprotein complex in viral assembly.

eLife·2025

Same author

Primate resident memory T cells activate humoral and stromal immunity.

Immunity·2025

Same author

Nanoscopy Reveals Heparan Sulfate Clusters as Docking Sites for SARS-CoV-2 Attachment and Entry.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Same author

Loss of ribosomal protein uL14 enables tumor escape from T cell immunosurveillance.

NAR cancer·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 10, 2025

Use of an Influenza Antigen Microarray to Measure the Breadth of Serum Antibodies Across Virus Subtypes

Use of an Influenza Antigen Microarray to Measure the Breadth of Serum Antibodies Across Virus Subtypes

Published on: July 26, 2019

Antigenic drift: Understanding COVID-19.

Jonathan W Yewdell¹

¹Cellular Biology Section, Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA.

|December 15, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Viral evolution leads to antigenic drift, changing viral proteins and limiting immunity duration. This study explores SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

More Related Videos

Generation of Escape Variants of Neutralizing Influenza Virus Monoclonal Antibodies

Generation of Escape Variants of Neutralizing Influenza Virus Monoclonal Antibodies

Published on: August 29, 2017

Dynamic Monitoring of Seroconversion using a Multianalyte Immunobead Assay for Covid-19

Dynamic Monitoring of Seroconversion using a Multianalyte Immunobead Assay for Covid-19

Published on: February 16, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 10, 2025

Use of an Influenza Antigen Microarray to Measure the Breadth of Serum Antibodies Across Virus Subtypes

Use of an Influenza Antigen Microarray to Measure the Breadth of Serum Antibodies Across Virus Subtypes

Published on: July 26, 2019

Generation of Escape Variants of Neutralizing Influenza Virus Monoclonal Antibodies

Generation of Escape Variants of Neutralizing Influenza Virus Monoclonal Antibodies

Published on: August 29, 2017

Dynamic Monitoring of Seroconversion using a Multianalyte Immunobead Assay for Covid-19

Dynamic Monitoring of Seroconversion using a Multianalyte Immunobead Assay for Covid-19

Published on: February 16, 2022

Area of Science:

Virology
Immunology
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

Antigenic drift is the accumulation of mutations in viral proteins.
This process is driven by host immune system selection.
Antigenic drift can reduce the effectiveness and duration of immunity from infections and vaccinations.

Purpose of the Study:

To explain the factors driving the rapid antigenic drift of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
To discuss the implications of this drift for SARS-CoV-2 evolution.
To examine the impact on immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on viral evolution and immunology.
Analysis of mutation patterns in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
Comparative analysis with receptor proteins of other viruses.

Main Results:

Identified key evolutionary pressures contributing to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein mutations.
Highlighted the role of the host adaptive immune system in selecting for these mutations.
Discussed the potential for continuous viral evolution and immune evasion.

Conclusions:

Antigenic drift in SARS-CoV-2 is influenced by specific evolutionary factors.
This drift poses challenges for long-term immunity and vaccine efficacy.
Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for managing the ongoing pandemic and future viral threats.