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Meet the New Strains

In 2020, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, changed the world. A large coronavirus looms behind the planet earth, its angry pink eyes glaring down at it. Below, more viruses displaying statistics: Over 100 million cases; over 2 million deaths; multiple lockdowns; millions unemployed.
From among a crowded pile of viruses, a new one with slightly different coloring pops up with “hands“ on its hips. Above it, the text: “As it spread like wildfire around the globe, the virus changed, too.
A cell with visible organelles before a long single stranded genome. Some of the sections are underlined as if marked for typos.
An animated proofreading enzyme wearing a green visor runs along a length of genome as it spits out a copy. One reason for this relatively low mutation rate may be that coronaviruses have a proofreading enzyme that catches and corrects errors as the virus replicates. The influenza virus, which lacks the proofreading enzyme, mutates about twice as often.

Description

  • Knowable Magazine

  • Read More >>

  • 2021

As it spreads throughout the world, the virus that causes Covid-19 has been changing. Scientists are tracking those changes, hoping to stay one step ahead of worrisome strains.

2021 Folio Award Honorable Mention for Visual Storytelling.

Additional Credits

  • Writer: Diana Kwon
  • Editor: Eleri Harris