Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/c4_GXam9DqQ   A molecular dynamics analysis of the Omicron variant indicates that the 32 spike protein mutations permit the virus to adhere more strongly to the ACE2 receptor that unlocks the viral gateway into the cell.  At the same time, these mutations reduce the affinity of the spike proteins for protective antibodies generated by vaccines, natural infections, or those injected into CoVid patients in the form of the Regeneron antibody cocktail.  Thus, the model suggests that our existing vaccines will have reduced capabilities for preventing Omicron CoVid infections and our antibody cocktails will have less able to prevent serious and life-threatening disease.   Nigerian and British molecular biologists collaborated to create this model that explains why Omicron appears to be the most transmissible CoVid variant to date.  At the same time, the model suggests that Omicron may be less likely to be neutralized by our existing vaccines or by antibody cocktails.   https://www.bior