New Atlas published a post that had many followers a-twittering. This was about the converging evolution of Omicron, which could give it greater ability to avoid our pre-existing immunities. Apparently, scientists tracking COVID-19 evolution have noticed latest variants gathering the same mutations together. Could we actually be witnessing the birth of a super COVID virus?
What Would a Converging Evolution of Omicron Mean?
New Atlas writer Rich Haridy describes the process as morphing into something that could escape our vaccine and natural immunity. And put us back to the state we were in perhaps, after ground zero in Wuhan China when news broke. As Haridy says, “We may be done with thinking about COVID, but SARS-CoV-2 is most certainly not done with us …”
The coronavirus was relatively stable until Alpha, Beta, and Gamma suddenly popped up with different lineages. Then Alpha lead us to Delta, and then Omicron that is with us now. However, until last month each variant had its own personality and style.
The possibility of a converging evolution of Omicron first appeared in a Twitter room where specialist variant trackers meet. The word ‘conversion’ began appearing in September 2022, and appears to have taken hold fast. We live in a changing world where certainty no longer means forever anymore.
Since Omicron Hit the Road, the Path Was Different
Before Omicron, there were three gigantic steps to new variants. However since Omicron, we have witnessed a splintering into scores of sub-variants instead. Moreover since BA.5, there is no longer a dominant one.
But now, since September 2022 we have seen the sub-variants gradually become more similar again. Converging evolution occurs when two unrelated organisms develop similar evolutionary responses to similar challenges.
A recent study (see link below) in bioRxiv highlights similar mutations on the receptor binding domains of Omicron sub-variants. This is the point where the virus binds to a host cell and infects it. Haridy suggests this could indicate the virus is finding new ways of evading our current immunity.
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