Scientists trying to understand new virus variant

And there have obviously been variants that cannot make one sick as well, and those are good mutations.

Iwonder how many of the experts here can tell me what the genetic alphabet consists of and how many so called letters are there?

The variants described by Gupta have mutations in the parts of the spike that form the binding sites of antibodies against the virus (in two separate locations on the spike). Similar patterns in the mutations have arisen independently in different virus strains. The data suggest that these mutations help the virus evade the human immune system. Probably they will have some effect on the efficacy of current vaccines. But this is normal. Vaccines are always a few steps behind virus evolution.

It is good to keep an eye on new variants, because if they are actually more dangerous it is important to identify this danger as soon as possible; but there is no point in worrying unnecessarily thinking new variants can only be more dangerous, lots of time they are not. The most important thing is to keep taking care of avoiding infection, no matter which strain is more abundant if you are not infected you are not in danger.

Iwonder how many of the experts here can tell me what the genetic alphabet consists of and how many so called letters are there?

In general DNA has four (ATGC) RNA also 4 (U replaces the T) and groups of 3 letters code for one amino acid (for example GCG is the code for the amino acid alanine). 64 combinations code for 20 amino acids and are used to make all the different proteins. You can look out the code by "amino acid codon chart"

Probably they will have some effect on the efficacy of current vaccines. But this is normal. Vaccines are always a few steps behind virus evolution.

Not always, actually that is the exception and not the rule, there are a lot of vaccines that keep being effective without needing any change for decades, they are just so dependable that are easy to forget.

@virus Rex! Excellent. A person that studies as I do.

Why ask scientists? Just ask China. Much faster.

I added a '/' in the middle of that quote. Guess which half the media chose?

Lets see the title on the article you are commenting. "Scientists trying to understand new virus variant"

Scary?

Of course the real point is that both parts of the quote are important, at this point it is still possible the new variant to be much more dangerous and a valid reason for alarm, so it has to be reported as such, else people will repeat the misunderstandings of the beginning of the pandemic and will think that saying "we have no evidence yet of human to human transmission" means "there is no danger of human to human transmission".

At least all those details, although based on knowledge, research and expertise, don’t bring so much, because while you have registered and sequenced all new mutations and variants, the virus is always many steps ahead and has already created the next several mutations and variants anywhere. As for me, I am more following mathematical paths and let the numbers speak. Therefore, the problem with those new variants is simply that, it increases the R value or let’s say the incidences by estimated 0.4 to 0.9, again the real detailed value is not so important, but by doing so we get the real problem of elevating the R value almost surely above 1.0 , and that’s the main point here that has to concern us all and is responsible for the current panic and discussions. It just means, a lockdown or other harsh restrictions and efforts will have to bring down R to 0.6 or even 0.1 for a longer time span, just to only keep it a draw. Rather too difficult or even impossible, even if everyone abides to all rules of hygiene, wearing masks, keeping distance etc. In addition the necessary percentage for herd immunity may have to be increased to minimum 80% or better much more, what puts new questions regarding to possible successes of the planned mass vaccinations.

Good.