Michael Burgess

Feature Writer

B.Sc. Zoology, M.Sc. Palaeobiology

Michael graduated with a first-class degree in Zoology from the University of Hull, and later received a Masters degree in Palaeobiology from the University of Bristol.

His main interests are vertebrate palaeontology and evolutionary ecology, particularly of animals within the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. He is also a firm advocate of rewilding.

After completing his degrees, Michael is working to gain invaluable experience in and around his specialty fields. In his free time, Michael can usually be found canoeing, painting, or building model layouts with his brothers.

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Articles from Michael

N501Y mutation in SARS-CoV-2 responsible for increased viral transmission

Researchers at the University of Texas, USA, have confirmed the specific mutation in the B.1.1.7 variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has allowed for it to be more transmissible than the ancestral strain. The N501Y substitution is one of 8 spike protein substitutions present in the UK variant and has also appeared convergently in the Brazil (P.1) and South Africa (B.1.351) variants.

11 Mar 2021

Nanobody works against all SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in animal model

Researchers based in Belgium have developed a new antibody drug that is highly successful at neutralizing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Syrian hamsters. The new biologic was administered to the rodents and was found to be equally successful at neutralizing the original severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strain, and also the new mutant variants, such as the South African and UK strains.

11 Mar 2021

Brazil COVID variant 2.5 times more transmissible than ancestral strain

In early January 2021, a new variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was identified from travelers returning from Brazil. This variant, referred to as “P.1”, likely emerged in early-to-late November 2020, and subsequently spread throughout Manaus, the state capital of Amazonas, Brazil, over the following December.

11 Mar 2021

Researchers examine susceptibility of raccoons and striped skunks to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers from the University of Georgia, USA, have found some members of the superfamily Musteloidea – the group that includes badgers and weasels – appear to not only have no effects of the virus, but do little in spreading it.

9 Mar 2021

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines modeled on South African variant may offer broad protection against other variants

Researchers in South Africa have submitted evidence that suggests that vaccines modeled on the South African variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) would not only be effective on that strain but would also function well against other variants.

8 Mar 2021