The SARS-CoV-2 UK variant was discovered in mid-December of 2020 in the United Kingdom. However, it is believed that this variant likely surfaced around September 2020. Researchers found this new strain when they were investigating why there was a dramatic spike in cases in the United Kingdom. 

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- Discovery
- Locations of the Mutations in the Genome of the Virus
- Transmission
- Spread Outside of the UK
- Response to mRNA Vaccine

Characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 UK Variant

Santos, J. C., &amp; Passos, G. A. (2020). The high infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 is associated with increased interaction force between Spike-ACE2 caused by the viral N501Y mutation. BioRxiv. doi:10.1101/2020.12.29.424708.

The high infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 is associated with increased interaction force between Spike-ACE2 caused by the viral N501Y mutation

Leung Kathy, Shum Marcus HH, Leung Gabriel M, Lam Tommy TY, Wu Joseph T. Early transmissibility assessment of the N501Y mutant strains of SARS-CoV-2 in the United Kingdom, October to November 2020. Euro Surveill. 2021;26(1):pii=2002106. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.26.1.2002106.

Early transmissibility assessment of the N501Y mutant strains of SARS-CoV-2 in the United Kingdom, October to November 2020

Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 UK Variant

The SARS-CoV-2 UK variant has been known as B.1.1.7. This new variant has developed around 20 mutations which translates to approximately 2 mutations in the genome per month. Most of the variability between strains is within the spike receptor binding domain (RBG) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

Location of Mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 UK Variant

The UK strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has become known as the B.1.1.7 strain. This strain has proved to be significantly more transmissible among the human population than previous strains. Researchers hypothesize that the increase in transmission between carriers and non-carriers of the virus could be due to the fact that the mutations in the variant (mainly the N501Y mutation) may cause the spike protein of the virus to have a greater affinity for the ACE2 receptor. 

Transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 UK Variant

UK B.1.1.7 Variant was tested against mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine
-B.1.1.7 Variant had no significant impact on the neutralizing serum
-N501Y mutation tested alone also had no significant effect
-mRNA-1273 was able to neutralize the B.1.1.7 variant to the same extent as D614G (wild-type)
-Proves that mRNA vaccines are equally effect against the B.1.1.7 variant

SARS-CoV-2 UK Variant Response to mRNA Vaccine

Although the UK and much of Europe is under a strict lockdown, the UK variant has spread to many countries and nearly every state in the U.S. This further provides evidence that this strain is significantly more transmissible. 

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