New SARS-CoV-2 Variant Could Evade Antibodies

A preprint casts doubt on vaccine effectiveness in light of certain mutations in the 501Y.V2 variant that emerged from South Africa.

Written byLisa Winter

| 3 min read

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In recent months, as the global COVID-19 pandemic rages on, new variants of SARS-CoV-2 have sparked concerns about whether existing vaccines will perform as well against the evolving virus as they did in clinical trials. Three preprints posted on bioRxiv on January 19 shed some light on this question, finding that serum from vaccinated people was able to neutralize a virus with some of the same mutations as one now-widespread variant, B.1.1.7, but was less effective in neutralizing strains mimicking another variant known as 501Y.V2.

One study investigated the effects of the 501Y.V2 variant that emerged in South Africa, using serum samples from 44 people who had had COVID-19. When these sera were exposed to the variant, which has multiple mutations in its spike protein, 48 percent were unable to neutralize the virus.

“The data do raise the possibility that the protection gained from past infection ...

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Meet the Author

Lisa Winter
Lisa joined The Scientist in 2017. As social media editor, some of her duties include creating content, managing interactions, and developing strategies for the brand’s social media presence. She also contributes to the News & Opinion section of the website. Lisa holds a degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in genetics, cell, and developmental biology from Arizona State University and has worked in science communication since 2012.
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