Numerous mutations in an omicron allow it to firmly adhere to human cells

Omicron has a higher ability to bind and evade antibodies than the original virus.

Multiple mutations in an omicron mutant allow it to dock with human cells more effectively than other mutants, a new study has concluded.

And the British newspaper “Daily Mail” reported that researchers from the University of British Columbia in Canada conducted a study on the mutant using an ultra-cold electron microscope, a method that provides images of the virus with very high accuracy.

Dr. Sriram Subramaniam, the study's lead author and professor of biochemistry at the University of British Columbia, said they found that the omicron mutant had a higher fusion capacity than the original virus, due to the new links that were found between the virus and the receptors of human cells.

In addition, the researchers tested the strength of the Omicron mutant against human and monoclonal antibodies, and concluded that the mutant has a greater ability to resist immune system molecules compared to other mutant corona virus.

The study still has to undergo peer review, but is consistent with other recent research on the highly infectious properties of omicron.

It is noteworthy that the Omicron mutant was discovered in South Africa in late November, and since then it has spread rapidly in the world.

"The omicron mutant is unprecedented because it contains 37 spike protein mutations, which is three to five times higher than any other mutant," Subramanima said.

Omicron has a higher bonding capacity than the original virus

"The increase in mutations in the spike protein is important for two reasons; First, because the spike protein determines how the virus attaches to and infects human cells. Secondly, because the antibodies attach to the Spike protein in order to neutralize the virus.”

As a result, the few spikes in the spike protein can significantly modify how the coronavirus is transmitted and how the immune system fights it.

The study concluded that the ability of omicron to dock is higher than that of the delta mutant and much higher than the ability of the original corona virus.

The study also examined the ability of Omicron's Spike protein to bypass human antibodies and antibodies from monoclonal therapies.

The study confirmed the data on the ground, which shows that the Omicron mutant has a greater ability to evade antibodies compared to other mutants, which means that treatments become less successful in confronting it.

Subramanima explained that the increased ability of the omicron mutant to dock and its ability to evade antibodies "are likely factors for its rapid spread."

The latest data available on the American "Johns Hopkins University" website showed that the total number of injuries reached 276 million and 243 thousand cases. The total deaths rose to five million and 369 thousand deaths.

The collected data indicated that the total number of anti-Corona vaccines that were administered worldwide exceeded eight billion and 769 million doses.