Are there new strains of the COVID-19 virus being talked about? Yes.

Before you get concerned, let's clear a couple of things up...

Viruses are made of genetic material - DNA or RNA - the same stuff that makes up all life on the planet. One of the evolutionary mechanisms that has led to the vast diversity of life is genetic mutation. Tiny structural changes in DNA or RNA that result in functional change.

Mutation is very common. So common that evolutionary geneticists use the rate of mutations in the genome like a clock to estimate when certain species arose or went extinct, or when traits like lactose tolerance popped up.

Many mutations happen during reproduction... or, in the case of viruses, replication. Mutations can help, hurt, or have no effect. It all depends on factors like where in the genome the change happened, & whether it's in the right external environment to even make a difference.

In the case of a virus, does a mutation alter its ability to infect a host, to replicate, or does it make killing the host more or less likely?

For SARS-CoV2, we are tracking these mutations, and attempting to answer these (and more) questions.

A mutation in the spike protein of SARS-CoV2 started spreading earlier this year, and is now the prevalent global strain because it improved the virus' ability to hold onto the ACE2 receptor on our cells - it became a better key for the lock that opens the door into our bodies.

But, mutations happen just about every time the virus replicates. Obviously, most mutations don't lead anywhere. But, sometimes new ones pop up that make the scientists & public health officials take note or even cancel Xmas. That's happening in the UK right now.

A couple of new mutations in the spike protein seem to have increased the ability of the SARS-CoV2 virus to spread... maybe. We don't know for certain yet. The evidence is an increase in finding the new mutations in sick people, & experiments in mice & cells in dishes.

Authorities are being cautious because an uptick in cases will lead to more people needing hospitalizations regardless of whether these new mutations are actually any more dangerous (which they do not seem to be at this point).

If you have more questions, this is a very clear and concise collection of responses from experts:

https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-the-new-variant-of-sars-cov-2/

Here is a great thread explaining the work tracking these new mutations: https://twitter.com/firefoxx66/status/1340359989395861506

Also, want to thank @__GREATGAZOO for sending me down this tweet thread by sharing the thread from @firefoxx66 with me.

The big question is whether mutations in the spike protein will eventually "outsmart" our vaccines, which train our immune systems to recognize viral spike protein as it existed 10 months ago.

Maybe, eventually. But we can alter our vaccines just like we do for the flu.

Here is another really good thread explaining the mutations (again h/t @__GREATGAZOO): https://twitter.com/ewanbirney/status/1340318422673076224?s=19

Adding this article by @apoorva_nyc to the thread as it is very-well sourced, and answers a lot of questions people might still have: https://twitter.com/apoorva_nyc/status/1340672475617701900?s=19