Our recent preprint of genetic epidemiology of #immune #escape variants from global #SARSCoV2 genomes

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.24.424332v1

A number of genetic variants in #SARSCoV2 are associated with immune escape - assayed for neutralisation by antibodies or convalescent plasma panels. We compiled over 100 variants from literature which is now available at http://clingen.igib.res.in/esc 

We evaluated the prevalence of the variants in global populations, and suggest some of the variants are prevalent in global datasets. Of specific note would be N440K in #India, S477N in #Australia, N439K in #Europe, E484K and K417N in #SouthAfrica

Many of the variants independently emerged in different genetic lineages(homoplasic) and some at large proportions in respective genome datasets -like N440K (33.8% genomes of #AndhraPradesh), S477N(67% in #Australia). - Highlights the need for continued #genomic #surveillance

Emphasises
1. Need to look for local and #functional variants by sequencing more
2. Need to evaluate cases of vaccine failure (as they are in clinical trials) through #genome sequening
3. Need to look more closely and widely for COVID19 #reinfections through genomic lens