Omicron variant may be the baby of two previous COVID-19 lineages

Did two earlier COVID lineages create the omicron variant?

Illustration by Alex Cochan, Deseret Information

The omicron variant of the novel coronavirus could have been borne from a recombination of two earlier COVID-19 lineages, a new research suggests.

The research — obtainable on the Analysis Sq. preprint platform forward of peer assessment — stated that the omicron variant is, probably, a mix of two earlier SARS-CoV-2 lineages.

• These lineages would have been BA.1 and B.35.
• BA.1 is seen in round 4.17% of all COVID-19 sequences.
• B.35, in the meantime, has solely been seen in 0.0019% of sequences.
• The BA.1 lineage is the mum or dad lineage that, when mixed with BA.35, created the present omicron variant.

To seek out this, the researchers checked out greater than 4,200 genome sequences from the World Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Knowledge repository and Nationwide Middle for Biotechnology Info.

• “The authors noticed that within the origin and evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, at the very least one recombination occasion had occurred,” in accordance with Information Medical.

Why it issues: “To summarize, the recombination occasion is pivotal for the evolution and variety of coronaviruses because it permits the viruses to adapt to new host environments and overcome choice stress,” in accordance with Information Medical. “Subsequently, analysis and public well being measures ought to concentrate on these findings and goal the recombination occasions to forestall the emergence of newer SARS-CoV-2 strains sooner or later.”

The larger image: Extra not too long ago, the omicron variant appears to have break up into one other lineage, known as BA.2, as I reported for the Deseret Information.

• Specialists stated the BA.2 model of the omicron variant has a “progress benefit” that can permit it to unfold farther.