As it spreads around the world, SARS-CoV-2 is mutating. But what does this mean? These mutations are part of a natural process, and some researchers are finding they make no real difference to patient outcomes so far. But others are concerned the virus may become more dangerous.
In a June 29 interview that appeared in The Washington Post, Neville Sanjana, PhD, Core Faculty Member at the New York Genome Center, Assistant Professor of Biology, New York University, and Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU School of Medicine, discussed the study conducted in his lab that found evidence that the now-dominant G variant in the spike protein of the virus is a functional mutation that impacts how well the virus infects human cells.
On July 7, BBC News interviewed Dr. Sanjana for the latest on this ongoing research:
See also the BBC’s July 19 news story on the research.
Read the related Sanjana Lab study: The D614G mutation in SARS-CoV-2 Spike increases transduction of multiple human cell types
Listen to audio interviews with Dr. Sanjana’s discussing his study:
July 8 interview on “Deep Background with Noah Feldman” podcast.
June 19 segment of the BBC’s “Science in Action” radio program
