Scientists identify antibodies that can neutralise Omicron

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An international team of scientists have identified antibodies that neutralise Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Washington, Dec 28: An international team of scientists have identified antibodies that neutralise Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. These antibodies target areas of the virus spike protein that remain essentially unchanged as the viruses mutate.

The Omicron variant has 37 mutations in the spike protein, which it uses to latch onto and invade cells. The highly unusually high number of mutations likely explain why the variant has been able to spread so rapidly, to infect people who have been vaccinated and to reinfect those who have previously been infected.

By identifying the targets of these "broadly neutralising" antibodies on the spike protein, it might be possible to design vaccines and antibody treatments that will be effective against not only the omicron variant but other variants that may emerge in the future, said David Veesler, an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

In the study, the team tested a larger panel of antibodies that had been generated against earlier versions of the virus, and identified four classes of antibodies that retained their ability to neutralise Omicron.

Members of each of these classes target one of four specific areas of the spike protein present in not only SARS-CoV-2 variants but also a group of related coronaviruses, called sarbecoviruses.

These sites on the protein may persist because they play an essential function that the protein would lose if they mutated. Such areas are called "conserved".

The finding that antibodies are able to neutralise via recognition of conserved areas in so many different variants of the virus suggests that designing vaccines and antibody treatments that target these regions could be effective against a broad spectrum of variants that emerge through mutation, Veesler said.

"This finding tells us that by focusing on antibodies that target these highly conserved sites on the spike protein, there is a way to overcome the virus' continual evolution," said Veesler, Associate Professor of biochemistry at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. The findings were published in the journal Nature.

Further, the team also engineered a disabled, non-replicating virus, called a pseudovirus, to produce spike proteins on its surface, as coronaviruses do. They then created pseudoviruses that had spike proteins with the Omicron mutations and those found on the earliest variants identified in the pandemic.

The team found that the Omicron variant spike protein (called the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptor) was able to bind 2.4 times better than spike protein found in the virus isolated at the very beginning of the pandemic.AA

"That's not a huge increase," Veesler noted, "but in the SARS outbreak in 2002-2003, mutations in the spike protein that increased affinity were associated with higher transmissibility and infectivity".

They also found that the Omicron version was able to bind to mouse ACE2 receptors efficiently, suggesting Omicron might be able to "ping-pong" between humans and other mammals.

(IANS)

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Two J&K Bills Brought To Give Justice To Those Deprived Of Rights For Last 70 Yrs: Shah

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

New Delhi, Dec 6: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2023 will give justice to those who were deprived of their rights for the last 70 years.

Speaking on two Bills in the Lok Sabha, Shah said, "The Bill that I have brought here pertains to bringing justice to and providing rights to those against whom injustice was done, who were insulted and those who were ignored."

He said that in any society, those who are deprived should be brought forward and that is the basic sense of the Constitution of India.

"But they have to be brought forward in a way that doesn't reduce their respect. There is a huge difference between giving rights and giving rights respectfully. So, instead of a weak and deprived category, renaming it to Other Backward Class (OBC) is important," the Minister said.

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Shah had moved the Bill on Tuesday in the Lok Sabha.

(IANS)

Nine Grand Slam Singles Champions To Play At Brisbane International 2024

by Hemanta Pande

Brisbane, Dec 6: Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Naomi Osaka, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jelena Ostapenko, Victoria Azarenka, Sofia Kenin and Sloane Stephens are among a world-class line-up beginning the 2024 season in Brisbane.

Four top-20 men are bound for Brisbane, including world No.8 Holger Rune. The Next Gen superstar will be joined by world No.14 and Brisbane International 2017 champion Grigor Dimitrov, world No.17 Ben Shelton and world No.20 Ugo Humbert.

Eight of the world’s top 20 are set to compete in the women’s WTA 500 event. The incredible line-up also includes former world No.1 and three-time Brisbane International champion Karolina Pliskova, along with Brisbane 2020 finalist and world No.12 Madison Keys.

Pliskova is one of four former champions in the field, alongside Azarenka, Murray and Dimitrov.

Local fans will be able to support Alexei Popyrin, Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson in the men’s singles competition, with Gold Coast star Kimberly Birrell receiving a wildcard into the women’s singles main draw.

“I’m thrilled to be starting my year playing in the 2024 Brisbane International,” said Birrell, who reached a career-high WTA ranking of No.100 in September.

“I have so many unforgettable memories from the tournament, from watching my idols as a junior to playing and having my first top-10 win in 2019.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to play my home tournament and can’t wait to test myself against the best tennis players in the world, in front of my friends and family.”

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“We are thrilled so many of the world’s best players want to come to Brisbane. This is one of the strongest fields the tournament has seen in both the men’s and women’s fields,” Brisbane International Tournament Director Cam Pearson said.

“To have nine Grand Slam champions, 12 WTA/ATP top-20 players, along with so many Australian favourites is great news for the tournament and our fans.” (IANS)

Rajasthan Karni Sena Chief Murder Accused Identified

by Hemanta Pande

Jaipur, Dec 6: In a big breakthrough in the murder case of Rashtriya Karni Sena Chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, the Rajasthan Police has identified two shooters who were involved in the killing.

The two assaliants have been identified as Rohit Rathore Makrana and Nitin Fauji, said Rajasthan Police, adding that Nitin Fauji is a resident of Mahendragarh, Haryana.

The third criminal, Naveen Shekhawat, who was also part of the crime, was killed at Gogamedi's residence during the exchange of fire and one of Gogamedi's security guards was also injured.

Scientists identify antibodies that can neutralise Omicron

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