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SUMMARY:SARS-CoV-2 Variants - Prof Ravindra Gupta\; University of Cambridg
 e 
DTSTART:20230127T133000Z
DTEND:20230127T143000Z
UID:TALK193543@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Bobbie Claxton
DESCRIPTION:Abstract:\nSARS-CoV-2 has continued to surprise the world in i
 ts ability to generate diversity and evade vaccine induced immune response
 s\, specifically neutralising antibodies. Chronic infection with SARS-CoV-
 2 was recognised in 2020\, with mutant viruses detected with multiple muta
 tions in both spike and across the genome. In this talk I will outline how
  new variants have arisen and the key features of the variants of concern.
  The talk will highlight some of the mechanistic differences in their biol
 ogy with reference to specific mutations\, and what this means for transmi
 ssion and vaccine efficacy. \n\nBiog:\nRavi Gupta is Professor of Clinical
  Microbiology at Cambridge University. Gupta has worked on evolution of HI
 V drug resistance population impacts\, and his work led to change in WHO t
 reatment guidelines for HIV.  He led the study demonstrating HIV eradicati
 on in the ‘London Patient’ – the world’s only living example of HI
 V cure\, and the second recorded in history. During the COVID-19 pandemic 
 Gupta has deployed his expertise in RNA virus genetics and biology to repo
 rt that SARS-CoV-2 variants likely arise in immune compromised individuals
  who are also at greatest risk of severe disease. Gupta reported the first
  real world data on vaccine escape responses towards VOC\, defined the rep
 lication advantage of the Delta variant\, and the tropism shift of Omicron
 -explaining why this variant is less severe. In addition his group has def
 ined mechanisms behind poorer vaccine responses in the elderly. Gupta has 
 advised the UK government on COVID-19 through SAGE and NERVTAG. In 2020 he
  appeared in the list of 100 most influential people by TIME and in 2022 f
 eatured in the Clarivate list of the world’s most highly cited scientist
 s.\n\nClick here to join live - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84754427221
LOCATION:Online via zoom & Kings Hedges Room 
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