U.S. Study: New coronavirus or mutated, more susceptible to infection

, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Researchers in Florida have said they believe the new coronavirus may have mutated, making human cells more susceptible to infection. However, the report notes that the findings have not yet been reviewed by other experts in the field.
at the Scripps Institute in Florida have pointed out that mutations in the virus have an effect on spike proteins, the Associated Press reported. The protein is said to be a structure outside the virus that the virus uses to invade human cells.
, a virologist at the Scripps Institute who helped lead the study, said, "In the cell culture systems we use, viruses with this mutation are more contagious than viruses without mutations."
series of experiments conducted by Hyeryun Choe and colleagues showed that a mutation called D614G caused the virus to produce more "spikes", making them more stable and making it easier for the virus to enter cells.
the study is confirmed, it would be the first time a mutation in the new coronavirus has been shown to have had a significant impact on the outbreak, The Associated Press reported. Researchers say more research is needed to prove that the change affected the outbreak.
also reported that virologist Hasseltine, who was not involved in the study, believes the findings may explain the new coronavirus's ease of transmission throughout the Americas. However, since the findings of the study have not yet been peer-reviewed, more needs to be done.