logo
SeraCare is part of LGC Clinical Diagnostics - Learn More

Diagnostic Precision

A SeraCare blog focused on precision medicine and advanced clinical diagnostics

Choose your Article Focus | NGS | Molecular & Serology

Looking for the Silver Lining in the Cloud of SARS-CoV-2 Emerging Variants

Category: Accuplex, SARS-CoV-2, Disease trends

Posted by Catherine Huang, PhD on May 19, 2021 12:00:00 AM
As an RNA virus, SARS-CoV-2's genome replication is innately error-prone such that mutations are expected (1). Every now and then, a mutation will provide an adaptive advantage (such as increased transmissibility or infectivity to a human host), and will be positively selected for in the population. This process drives viral genome evolution, and gives rise to the rich diversity of viral strains and lineages that we see. However, for SARS-CoV-2, the unexpected emergence of such diversity since late 2020 has led to considerable anxiety around the progression of disease, and the efficacy of diagnostics and vaccines to control its spread.
Read More