Omicron News and Research

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mRNA booster vaccine confers strong protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in cancer patients

A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server reports the induction of high neutralizing activity in these patients against the Omicron VOC with a booster dose.

5 Jan 2022

Scientists provide a structural framework for Omicron immune evasion and ACE2 receptor recognition

An interesting preprint research paper describes structural changes resulting from the multiple mutations found in the recent Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is the causative agent behind the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition, the research describes the consequent effects of these changes on Omicron’s infectivity and immune evasion capabilities.

5 Jan 2022

Transplant recipients benefit from a COVID-19 vaccine booster

A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server describes the reduction in humoral immunity in SOTR following vaccination, as well as the improvement with an additional dose of the vaccine.

4 Jan 2022

Time since COVID vaccination is a key driver of breakthrough Omicron infections

Published on the preprint medRxiv* server and awaiting peer review, the findings showed that the significant factor behind breakthrough Omicron infections is the timing from vaccination. The time between vaccination and breakthrough infections induced effective or cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies that neutralize Omicron after Alpha or Delta breakthrough infections.

4 Jan 2022

Prime Minister updates the public on UK government’s ongoing actions to tackle COVID-19

The Prime Minister today updated the public on the government's ongoing actions to tackle COVID-19 and prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed, including implementing Plan B measures, standing up local Nightingales to create extra capacity, buying more antivirals per person than anywhere else in Europe, significantly increasing testing capacity and rolling out the vital booster program.

4 Jan 2022

New study on NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant after vaccination or infection

A recent study suggests neutralizing antibody responses against variants of concern, including Omicron, differs significantly between vaccinated and naturally infected individuals. The research, posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, focused on vaccinated individuals who are pregnant — an understudied group in COVID-19 research.

4 Jan 2022

Experts cautiously optimistic about risks of Delta-Omicron mutations mix

Researchers evaluate the risk of the P681R, N501Y, and D614G mutations of current interest co-occurring naturally due to convergent evolution.

4 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine boosters crucial in maintaining neutralizing antibodies in HCPs

Researchers evaluate the effects of a third dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine on antibody titers and breakthrough infections in healthcare workers.

4 Jan 2022

CDC updates COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to ensure the best possible protection for Americans

Today, CDC is updating our recommendation for when many people can receive a booster shot, shortening the interval from 6 months to 5 months for people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.

4 Jan 2022

Efficacy of antibodies induced by natural infection, vaccination, or both against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Beta variants

A study has demonstrated that antibodies induced by two-dose COVID-19 vaccination or natural infection exhibit very low neutralizing activity against the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

4 Jan 2022

Study suggests increased vaccine breakthrough for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Houston, Texas

A recent study reveals early signals of substantially increased vaccine breakthrough for the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Houston, Texas.

4 Jan 2022

Characteristics and outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in South Africa

A new research letter assessed patients hospitalized with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test during the fourth wave compared to the previous waves.

4 Jan 2022

In vitro effect of several antiviral drugs against various SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

An independent study confirms that current and prospective antiviral treatments are effective in inhibiting severe infection from SARS-CoV-2.

4 Jan 2022

Study finds pan-sarbecovirus nanobodies can enhance development of super-immunity

A new study found that applying pan-sarbecovirus nanobodies shows a strong affinity toward all sarbecovirus clades and neutralized SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domains

4 Jan 2022

Sino Biological Deposits Recombinant Omicron Proteins and Antibodies to BEI Resources

Sino Biological, Inc. (SZSE: 301047) has recently deposited reagents for the Omicron variant, including recombinant proteins to Spike and Nucleocapsid, and antibody products to BEI Resources, a central repository for reagents to support infectious disease research.

From Sino Biological Inc. 4 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 spike T cell responses from vaccines or infection remain robust against Omicron

In a new study, a team of researchers from multi-national institutions discovered that 70-80% of CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to spike were consistent across research groups. Moreover, although having far more mutations, the magnitude of Omicron cross-reactive T cells was comparable to that of the Beta and Delta variants.

3 Jan 2022

Very high rates of asymptomatic infection with Omicron compared to prior SARS-CoV-2 variants

The advent of the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) variant, detected initially in Botswana and South Africa and now found in over 135 countries as of January 3, 2022, has sparked fears of a new global wave of infections and hospitalizations

3 Jan 2022

Omicron News and Research

mRNA booster vaccine confers strong protection against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in cancer patients

Scientists provide a structural framework for Omicron immune evasion and ACE2 receptor recognition

Transplant recipients benefit from a COVID-19 vaccine booster

Time since COVID vaccination is a key driver of breakthrough Omicron infections

Prime Minister updates the public on UK government’s ongoing actions to tackle COVID-19

New study on NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant after vaccination or infection

Experts cautiously optimistic about risks of Delta-Omicron mutations mix

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine boosters crucial in maintaining neutralizing antibodies in HCPs

CDC updates COVID-19 vaccine recommendations to ensure the best possible protection for Americans

Efficacy of antibodies induced by natural infection, vaccination, or both against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Beta variants

Study suggests increased vaccine breakthrough for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Houston, Texas

Characteristics and outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in South Africa

In vitro effect of several antiviral drugs against various SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

Study finds pan-sarbecovirus nanobodies can enhance development of super-immunity

Sino Biological Deposits Recombinant Omicron Proteins and Antibodies to BEI Resources

SARS-CoV-2 spike T cell responses from vaccines or infection remain robust against Omicron

Very high rates of asymptomatic infection with Omicron compared to prior SARS-CoV-2 variants

Production of molecular probes of spike and subdomains for all SARS-CoV-2 variants

Modeling shows SARS-CoV-2 Omicron will place a severe burden on UK's health services

Omicron spike-specific binding antibodies attenuate disease, despite increasing transmission

Discover how SciY empowers scientists

Why use light scattering to analyze proteins and viral vectors?

Changing the landscape of R&D to build clinical success from the ground up

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