Scientists across the world are closely tracking the spread of mutations in the coronavirus and investigating whether they could render current vaccines less effective.

An expert panel will present how synthetic biology accelerates the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and the medicinal pipeline.

It’s too early to know whether the L452R version of SARS-CoV-2 is highly infectious like the B.1.1.7 UK variant that is also spreading around the US.

A large study of UK healthcare workers finds that immunity after coronavirus infection lasts for months, but those with antibodies may still be able to carry and spread the virus upon reexposure.

An engineered coronavirus with the N501Y mutation—one of many mutations present in the emerging B.1.1.7 and 501.V2 variants of the coronavirus—is neutralized by the sera of COVID-19 vaccine recipients.

Variant B.1.1.7, though likely more contagious than other strains, does not appear to be more deadly.

Alessandro Sette and Shane Crotty discuss the T cell response to SARS-CoV-2 and the implications for vaccine design and robust immune memory.

A study explains how Zika was present among mosquitoes in Africa for decades without causing the harm to human health seen outside the continent in recent years.

Rather than introducing small chunks of DNA as other viruses do, some giant viruses can contribute more than 1 million base pairs to a host’s genome, broadening the ways in which viruses may shape eukaryote evolution.