TWiV 836: OMG, Omicron!

TWiV reveals all that we know so far about the variant of concern B.1.1.529, also called Omicron, and describes a study on the ability of the alpha, beta, and delta variants to reproduce in cells in culture and induce membrane fusion. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Omicron genome changes (Covariants) Omicron shared changes with other variants (Covariants) Update on Omicron (WHO) Spike polymutant PMS20 (bioRxiv) Syncytium formation of variants of concern (EMBO J) Variants as super cell fusers (EMBO J) Letters read on TWiV 836 Timestamps by Jolene . Thanks! Weekly Picks Brianne – Immune Kathy – Elizabeth Lee Hazen and Rachel Fuller Brown, discoverers of nystatin one and two Alan – Four Lost Cities by Analee Newitz Vincent – Deadly Choices by Paul Offit Listener Picks Ryan – Ronny Jackson ( one and two ) Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to [email protected]