This blog is devoted to BIOL 6988, a graduate level seminar in the biological sciences at Youngstown State University. While targeted towards graduate students, BIOL 6988 actively incorporates undergraduate participants in their scholastic endeavors in the biological sciences. This blog is intended as a educational tool not just for YSU students and faculty, but for anyone who wishes to contribute to an active-learning environment.
The lecture by Dr. Glaunsinger was very informative. It was really captivating to learn how the viruses work and specifically the SARS-CoV-2 virus. I thought this was the most important topic on coronavirus as it forms the basis of understanding the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Her discussion on the recognition mechanism of this virus by relating to its structure and in particular the spike proteins which are critical for entry into the host, are significant in understanding vaccine development. It was also interesting to learn about the RNA copying machinery of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In her lecture, Dr. Glaunsinger mention that this RNA copying machinery could be the reason why the corona virus mutates at a lower rate. With the three variants of the SARS-CoV-2 that have emerged, what are your thoughts on this? Can an individual be infected with more than one of the Variant?
The infection of more than one variant at the same is interesting as cells can be super infected by more than one virus. Since the recognition for different variants is the same, I wonder if it is a who got there first who do the main take-over of the cell. Or would they split take over and thus the cell produces both variants. Another interesting thought to that would be would the share the variant coding region with one another? Would you then get a new variant that has both of the originals in its code and how would this affect a new one then.
There are so many things we don't know about this virus yet but have come a long way in such short time since patient O.
As the virus mutates, it wants to become better at infecting people to "out perform" other viruses. With the "super strain" variants, the mutations are on the viruses spike protein allowing it more time to attach to our cells becoming more infectious.
If infection is based off of which variant infects an individual first, or more quickly, this could account for new variants taking over certain regions while the less infectious variants die out.
If an individual can be infected with more than one variant would this cause more difficult clinical manifestations? Would this depend on the type of mutation on the virus? This would be an interesting study if individuals are found with more than one variant.
Hopefully with the vaccines we can protect ourselves against these new variants. But for now we must keep social distancing and wearing masks to reduce transmission and slow the spread to reduce mutations.
Dr. Glaunsinger's Lecture was really interesting, very educative and pertinent. Viruses generally acquire mutations over time giving rise to new variants. These variants spread quickly in people, have ability to evade detection by specific viral diagnostic tests and can even evade natural or vaccine-induced immunity. The latter is of much interest in recent research. SARS-CoV-2 variants especially the B.1.1.7 first emerging in the UK and later in the USA is highly associated with increased transmissibility and high risk of death compared with other variants. This variant has a mutation on the receptor binding domain of the spike protein. As Patricia said, the spike protein is a key protein for SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and a target for vaccine development. Therefore, there is need to find amino acids conservation between other coronavirus sequences in the spike protein. Some immune responses by the current vaccines are said to be less effective to some of the new variants. My worry is, what if a variant emerges that the current vaccine can't develop immunity against? Won't it be a difficult task for scientists to be working around the clock developing vaccines for every upcoming 'tough-headed' (due to lack of a better word) variants. Am so much surprised on the RNA copying machinery where the CoV polymerase can correct its copying errors. Am not pretty sure but I believe one can be infected with different variants but not at the same time (just my thinking). People who have recovered from a previous attack can contract a new variant if they don't continue with coronavirus safety precautions or if their immunity fails them. For now lets continue to prevent viral transmission and look forward to be vaccinated. Above all, lets MASK PROPERLY.
It is possible that an individual can be affected by more than variant as SARS COV-2 brings a compromise in immunity. Viruses always find a way to seize the gene machinery of hosts as such you would expect that the host's immune system is open to another variant form SARS COV2.
Dr. Glaunsinger’s presentation was informative, current, educational, and fills in the missing details for the inner mechanisms of this SARS-CoV-2 virus. As Annah previously stated, viruses generally acquire mutations that over multiple iterations give rise to these new variants. The variants can spread quickly in people, have ability to evade detection by specific viral diagnostic tests, or can even evade natural or vaccine-induced immunity. These SARS-CoV-2 variants that are starting to arise appear to be have higher transmission rates. This variant has a mutation on the receptor binding domain of the spike protein, which is key protein for viral entry. I think most people’s worries about these new variants are as follows: Is it more lethal, Is it vaccine resistant, Is it easier to get pass to others? If these variants have more potential to cause harm to the population but aren’t affected by this vaccine; then I assume we would just have to keep making variations of the vaccine to cover a wider array of these mutations. If we keep taking the precautions necessary such as mask wearing, distancing, and sanitizing, I believe that we will be fine in the end. Hopefully, this virus continues to mutate at this slow rate, so we have some time to counter it.
The presentation was very well structured and made it easy to follow the life cycle of the virus and how it is unique. What I found to be particularly interesting, and unsettling, was mechanisms that the virus employs to evade the host immune system defenses and allowing it to generate more viral progeny to spread faster. My thought on it is if the virus can evade the host defense and keep them infected longer, that this may lead to more instances of mutation despite the proof-reading capabilities that the virus has. Thankfully the mutation rate is slow, but I feel it illustrates the point to slow (or better, to prevent) the spread to minimize the chances of mutation.
After reading and watching videos, such as the ones discussed in last weeks seminar, it is possible to be infected with a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2. This is particularly concerning due to the possibility of vaccines not being able to offer protection to these new strains. I do believe it is important to continue wearing masks and social distance as much as possible as we continue to learn about the mutations and evolution of this virus.
Seminar really cleared up the virus mechanisms. By comparing it to the SARS, helped give an understanding to the vaccines that will be given. It is definitely possible to be infected with more than one variant but I would not want to be infected with more than 1. The virus is going to keep mutating to fight for its survival. Since it is slowly mutating then maybe we can get ahead of it and kill it before it mutates again. Stay safe.
The lecture by Dr. Glaunsinger was very informative. It was really captivating to learn how the viruses work and specifically the SARS-CoV-2 virus. I thought this was the most important topic on coronavirus as it forms the basis of understanding the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Her discussion on the recognition mechanism of this virus by relating to its structure and in particular the spike proteins which are critical for entry into the host, are significant in understanding vaccine development.
ReplyDeleteIt was also interesting to learn about the RNA copying machinery of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In her lecture, Dr. Glaunsinger mention that this RNA copying machinery could be the reason why the corona virus mutates at a lower rate. With the three variants of the SARS-CoV-2 that have emerged, what are your thoughts on this? Can an individual be infected with more than one of the Variant?
The infection of more than one variant at the same is interesting as cells can be super infected by more than one virus. Since the recognition for different variants is the same, I wonder if it is a who got there first who do the main take-over of the cell. Or would they split take over and thus the cell produces both variants. Another interesting thought to that would be would the share the variant coding region with one another? Would you then get a new variant that has both of the originals in its code and how would this affect a new one then.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many things we don't know about this virus yet but have come a long way in such short time since patient O.
As the virus mutates, it wants to become better at infecting people to "out perform" other viruses. With the "super strain" variants, the mutations are on the viruses spike protein allowing it more time to attach to our cells becoming more infectious.
ReplyDeleteIf infection is based off of which variant infects an individual first, or more quickly, this could account for new variants taking over certain regions while the less infectious variants die out.
If an individual can be infected with more than one variant would this cause more difficult clinical manifestations? Would this depend on the type of mutation on the virus? This would be an interesting study if individuals are found with more than one variant.
Hopefully with the vaccines we can protect ourselves against these new variants. But for now we must keep social distancing and wearing masks to reduce transmission and slow the spread to reduce mutations.
Dr. Glaunsinger's Lecture was really interesting, very educative and pertinent. Viruses generally acquire mutations over time giving rise to new variants. These variants spread quickly in people, have ability to evade detection by specific viral diagnostic tests and can even evade natural or vaccine-induced immunity. The latter is of much interest in recent research. SARS-CoV-2 variants especially the B.1.1.7 first emerging in the UK and later in the USA is highly associated with increased transmissibility and high risk of death compared with other variants. This variant has a mutation on the receptor binding domain of the spike protein. As Patricia said, the spike protein is a key protein for SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and a target for vaccine development. Therefore, there is need to find amino acids conservation between other coronavirus sequences in the spike protein. Some immune responses by the current vaccines are said to be less effective to some of the new variants. My worry is, what if a variant emerges that the current vaccine can't develop immunity against? Won't it be a difficult task for scientists to be working around the clock developing vaccines for every upcoming 'tough-headed' (due to lack of a better word) variants. Am so much surprised on the RNA copying machinery where the CoV polymerase can correct its copying errors. Am not pretty sure but I believe one can be infected with different variants but not at the same time (just my thinking). People who have recovered from a previous attack can contract a new variant if they don't continue with coronavirus safety precautions or if their immunity fails them. For now lets continue to prevent viral transmission and look forward to be vaccinated. Above all, lets MASK PROPERLY.
ReplyDeleteSorry, this is Annah Oigo
DeleteIt is possible that an individual can be affected by more than variant as SARS COV-2 brings a compromise in immunity. Viruses always find a way to seize the gene machinery of hosts as such you would expect that the host's immune system is open to another variant form SARS COV2.
ReplyDeleteDr. Glaunsinger’s presentation was informative, current, educational, and fills in the missing details for the inner mechanisms of this SARS-CoV-2 virus. As Annah previously stated, viruses generally acquire mutations that over multiple iterations give rise to these new variants. The variants can spread quickly in people, have ability to evade detection by specific viral diagnostic tests, or can even evade natural or vaccine-induced immunity. These SARS-CoV-2 variants that are starting to arise appear to be have higher transmission rates. This variant has a mutation on the receptor binding domain of the spike protein, which is key protein for viral entry. I think most people’s worries about these new variants are as follows: Is it more lethal, Is it vaccine resistant, Is it easier to get pass to others? If these variants have more potential to cause harm to the population but aren’t affected by this vaccine; then I assume we would just have to keep making variations of the vaccine to cover a wider array of these mutations. If we keep taking the precautions necessary such as mask wearing, distancing, and sanitizing, I believe that we will be fine in the end. Hopefully, this virus continues to mutate at this slow rate, so we have some time to counter it.
ReplyDeleteThe presentation was very well structured and made it easy to follow the life cycle of the virus and how it is unique. What I found to be particularly interesting, and unsettling, was mechanisms that the virus employs to evade the host immune system defenses and allowing it to generate more viral progeny to spread faster. My thought on it is if the virus can evade the host defense and keep them infected longer, that this may lead to more instances of mutation despite the proof-reading capabilities that the virus has. Thankfully the mutation rate is slow, but I feel it illustrates the point to slow (or better, to prevent) the spread to minimize the chances of mutation.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading and watching videos, such as the ones discussed in last weeks seminar, it is possible to be infected with a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2. This is particularly concerning due to the possibility of vaccines not being able to offer protection to these new strains. I do believe it is important to continue wearing masks and social distance as much as possible as we continue to learn about the mutations and evolution of this virus.
ReplyDeleteSeminar really cleared up the virus mechanisms. By comparing it to the SARS, helped give an understanding to the vaccines that will be given. It is definitely possible to be infected with more than one variant but I would not want to be infected with more than 1. The virus is going to keep mutating to fight for its survival. Since it is slowly mutating then maybe we can get ahead of it and kill it before it mutates again. Stay safe.
ReplyDelete