Structure image of B.1.1.7 (UK variant) (Image: University of British Columbia)

Researchers at a Canadian university have published the first molecular images of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 mutation, which was first detected in the UK in December 2020, and made the virus more infectious.

The images, taken at near-atomic resolution, show the N501Y mutation on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The images were captured using cryo-electron microscopes. In a statement, the University of British Columbia said the pictures provided insight into why the B.1.1.7 mutation is more infectious.

Structure image of B.1.1.7 (UK variant) (Image: University of British Columbia)

Dr Sriram Subramaniam, professor at UBC's medicine department of biochemistry and molecular biology, and his team conducted the research. Their research on B.1.1.7 has been published in PLOS Biology, a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal

The B.1.1.7 variant has an "unusually large" number of mutations, the UBC statement said. The N501Y mutation is located on the virus's spike protein, through which the virus attaches itself to human cells.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a vaccine work?

A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine.

How many types of vaccines are there?

There are broadly four types of vaccine — one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine.

What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind?

Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time.

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Canadian scientists share first images of B.1.1.7 coronavirus mutation

In a statement, researchers at the University of British Columbia said the pictures provide insight into why the B.1.1.7 mutation is more infectious. They are also examining other variants, including "Indian" B.1.617.

Structure image of B.1.1.7 (UK variant) (Image: University of British Columbia)

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