Omicron’s mutations visualized

Close up view of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Areas affected by Omicron mutations that evade antibodies are highlighted in red.

Illustration summarizing effects of Omicron variants stabilizing mutations in the spike protein

Illustration summarizing SARS-CoV-2 omicron variants different entry pathways into the cell
These illustrations highlight the mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant that allowed it to out-compete other variants in late 2021. They were created for Scientific American for the article Omicron’s Surprising Anatomy Explains Why It’s Wildly Contagious, February, 2022.