Genetic Variants Of SARS-CoV-2

Rachelk31 Aug, 2022Health

The two major variants discussed are the D614G and UK variant B117 mutation. It is the natural byproduct of viral replication. RNA viruses have higher rates of mutation than DNA viruses, however, Coronaviruses make fewer mutations of the RNA viruses. A mutation is the actual change in the sequence of the genome (the genetic material of an organism). Genomes that differ in sequence are called variants. A variant is a strain when it has a demonstrably different phenotype (for example difference in antigenicity, transmissibility and virulence).