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

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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 oneand 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]