Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2025

Author Spotlight: A Pseudotype Virus System for Assessing Omicron Subvariants and Neutralizing Antibodies in SARS-CoV-2 Research
Published on: September 8, 2023
Rapid identification of SARS CoV-2 omicron sub-variant JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1) with mass spectrometry
Henry E Lanyon1, Kevin M Downard1
1Infectious Disease Responses Laboratory, Prince of Wales Clinical Research Sciences, NSW, Sydney, Australia.
Objective:
The rapid detection and differentiation of strains of the BA.2.86 lineage including the new sub-variant JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1) is demonstrated employing selected ion monitoring (SIM) and high resolution mass spectrometry.
Methods:
A study of a preliminary set of BA.2.86 lineage positive specimens, identified BA.2.86 and BA.2.86.1.1 peptide markers in 62.5 % and 29.1 % of samples.
Results:
Peptide-specific markers in the surface spike protein associated with the L455S mutation are confidently detected with high sensitivity in protein and virus digests.The virus was thus confidently assigned in over 91 % of positive specimens.
Conclusions:
A rise in the global prevalence of the JN.1 (BA.2.86.1.1) immune evasive sub-variant, that emerged in late 2023, requires that new strategies and protocols to detect such strains in human specimens are accelerated and implemented.
Related Concept Videos
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) is a commonly...
Peptide Identification Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry
This technique helps gather information regarding the protein from which the peptide was obtained and to study the peptides’ amino acid sequence. Identifying peptides from a complex mixture is an important component of the growing field of...
Mass Spectrum: Interpretation
To...
Mass Spectrometry: Complex Analysis
GC–MS is a powerful hyphenated method commonly used in forensics and environmental...

