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Related Concept Videos

Viral Mutations00:36

Viral Mutations

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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...
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Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs01:05

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A single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP is a single nucleotide variation at a specific genomic position in a large population. It is the most prevalent type of sequence variation found in the human genome. Point mutations that occur in more than 1% of the population qualify as SNPs. These are present once every 1000 nucleotides on an average in the human genome. Replacement of a purine with another purine (A/G) or a pyrimidine with another pyrimidine (C/T) is known as a transition. In contrast,...
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Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?02:05

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The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
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Viral Recombination00:57

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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.
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Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

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Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
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Synteny and Evolution02:31

Synteny and Evolution

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John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 1, 2025

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies using High-Throughput Fluorescent Imaging of Pseudovirus Infection
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Endemic does not mean constant as SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve.

Sarah P Otto1, Ailene MacPherson2, Caroline Colijn2

  • 1Department of Zoology & Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|March 9, 2024
PubMed
Summary

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) becomes endemic, new variants can increase disease load. Evolutionary models show persistent immune escape variants pose the greatest risk, but interventions like vaccination can mitigate impacts.

Keywords:
SARS-CoV-2epidemiologyevolutionmodelselection

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Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Virology
  • Mathematical Modeling

Background:

  • COVID-19 has transitioned from an epidemic to an endemic state, characterized by waning immunity and re-exposure.
  • Endemicity does not imply stability; viral evolution, behavioral changes, and public health policies influence disease burden.
  • Understanding the impact of new variants is crucial for managing the endemic phase of COVID-19.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze evolutionary models of SARS-CoV-2 to predict the impact of new variants on endemic disease load.
  • To characterize how transmission and immunological properties of variants influence short-term and long-term disease burden.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in counteracting increased disease load due to viral evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized evolutionary modeling to simulate the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
  • Assessed the impact of variant properties, including immune escape and transmissibility, on endemic disease levels.
  • Modeled the effects of vaccination strategies and non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Main Results:

  • Persistent immune-escape variants are predicted to most significantly increase endemic disease load.
  • More transmissible variants are expected to cause an intermediate increase in disease burden.
  • Transient immune-escape variants are projected to have the least impact on endemic disease load.

Conclusions:

  • Viral evolution, particularly immune escape, can substantially increase the endemic burden of COVID-19.
  • Vaccination and non-pharmaceutical interventions are vital tools to mitigate the impact of evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants.
  • Further research is needed to address open questions regarding the long-term endemic future of COVID-19.