Infographic on SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern with Dr. Angela Rasmussen
We collaborated with renowned virologist, Dr. Angela Rasmussen, to create a didactic infographic on the most important features of the newest SARS-CoV-2 variants that anyone can use and share!
The science behind COVID-19 and the virus that causes it, SARS-CoV-2, is evolving at such a rapid pace that it’s challenging to find updated, accurate information to keep up. That’s why we reached out to world renowned virologist, Dr. Angela Rasmussen, to create a didactic infographic on the most important features of the newest SARS-CoV-2 variants that anyone can use and share!
We jumped on the opportunity to talk to Dr. Rasmussen about her impressively effective science communication strategy that’s helped her keep colleagues and audience informed about COVID-19 (including her 200,000+ followers on Twitter!). Check out the full interview below to find out her expert tips on communicating to any audience!
In this infographic, learn the 4 key characteristics that make a SARS-CoV-2 variant concerning and take a microscopic look at the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to see the key mutations that are changing how efficiently the virus infects host cells.
Fully editable SARS-CoV-2 templates!
In collaboration with Dr. Rasmussen, we adapted our infographic into 4 fully-customizable, easy-to-use SARS-CoV-2 templates to help you explain the science behind SARS-CoV-2 to any audience! Whether it’s for your next publication or #scicomm post, start with a fully-editable SARS-CoV-2 template to save you time and captivate your audience with stunning visuals.
Featuring a 3D rendering of SARS-CoV-2, this template showcases the key spike protein mutations on each of the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.526, B.1.427 and B.1.429.
Potential transmission mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: increased contagious window, increased viral shedding, increased environmental stability, and increased binding to host ACE2 receptors.
The key features of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 is a coronavirus with a crown-like structure created by surface spike proteins. SARS-CoV-2 binds to ACE2 receptors on host cells in the respiratory tract and spreads when an infected person sheds the virus.
The reproductive number (R0) is the number of people that someone infected with a virus will infect. A more contagious virus will have a higher reproductive number. Some SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, like B.1.1.7, have increased R0 and are more transmissible than the original (wild-type) SARS-CoV-2 strain.
Interview with Dr. Rasmussen: on science communication, COVID-19 and more!
We sat down with Dr. Rasmussen to chat with her about her strikingly effective and relatable COVID-19 #scicomm strategy that helped her reach millions of people on Twitter (where @angie_rasmussen tweets to over 200,000+ followers)! Here’s what she had to say:
What is the biggest challenge facing scientists trying to communicate effectively with the public about COVID-19?
Dr. Rasmussen: Communicating uncertainty and trying to distill complex topics into plain language that loses the jargon without sacrificing the nuance. This is a work in progress for me and most other scientists I know. It’s really hard to balance providing clear, useful information with uncertainty about what we’re still studying.
What is the most common mistake people make when creating visuals for SARS-CoV-2?
Dr. Rasmussen: Either oversimplification or excessive complexity. Also, viruses are not bacteria!
Do you have any advice for scientists who are trying to reach wider audiences (like the public)?
Dr. Rasmussen: Respect your audience and their capacity for understanding. The public can definitely understand complex topics, regardless of background or education level. Don’t ever assume that just because the audience doesn’t have the same background as you and isn’t fluent in the jargon of your specialty that they won’t “get it.” To avoid coming across as patronizing or condescending, I try to imagine I’m explaining to a respected and beloved family member.
What are your recommended resources for SARS-CoV-2 visualization?
Dr. Rasmussen: BioRender! Also some major newspapers (particularly the NY Times and Washington Post) have some great informational graphics. Science, Nature, and Cell Press also all have really great graphics, including ones in their news section that are digestible for a general audience. Finally, I’m an advisor for a group called Wearing is Caring, run by a group of outstanding early career scientists at Columbia, that has some really wonderful, simple graphics that are great for all ages and backgrounds.
Create your next figure in BioRender!
There’s no doubt that this pandemic has reinforced the undeniable importance of science communication and the role of effective visuals (like captivating infographics and clear schematics). BioRender is the easy-to-use science illustration tool that’s quickly becoming a staple for science communication around the world! Feeling inspired? Sign up for free and get started on your next infographic or figure today!
Acknowledgements Dr. Angela Rasmussen(Content Expert)
Special thank you to the BioRender Creative team including Jerry Gu, Emily Taylor, Samara Mishelle Oña Chuquimarca, Victoria Tokarz and Cindy Liu.
References:
Agur A M R. and Arthur F. Dalley. Grant's Atlas of Anatomy. Wolters Kluwer, 2021. Pg. 222, 228, 230.
Ehre, Camille. “SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Airway Cells.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 383, no. 10, 2020, pp. 969–969., doi:10.1056/nejmicm2023328.
Heo, L., Feig, M. Modeling of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Proteins by Machine Learning and Physics-Based Refinement. bioRxiv 2020.03.25.008904; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.25.008904
Iwasa, Janet, et al. Coronavirus Annotation, University of Utah, 2020, coronavirus-annotation-2.sci.utah.edu/.
Ke, Z., Oton, J., Qu, K. et al. Structures and distributions of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins on intact virions. Nature 588, 498–502 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2665-2
Schünke Michael, et al. Neck and Internal Organs: Thieme Atlas of Anatomy. Thieme, 2010. pg 82, 85.
Schünke Michael, et al. Head and Neuroanatomy: Thieme Atlas of Anatomy. Thieme, 2010. pg 115-116
Surya W, Li Y, Torres J. Structural model of the SARS coronavirus E channel in LMPG micelles. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr. 2018 Jun;1860(6):1309-1317. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2018.02.017. Epub 2018 Feb 21. PMID: 29474890; PMCID: PMC7094280.
Vogel AB, Kanevsky I, Che Y, Swanson KA, Muik A, Vormehr M, Kranz LM, Walzer KC, Hein S, Güler A, et al. BNT162b vaccines protect rhesus macaques from SARS-CoV-2. Nature. 2021 Apr;592(7853):283-289. doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03275-y. Epub 2021 Feb 1. PMID: 33524990.
Woo, H., Park, SJ., Choi, YK., et al. Developing a Fully Glycosylated Full-Length SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Model in a Viral Membrane. J. Phys. Chem. B 2020, 124, 33, 7128–7137. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c04553
Xu C, Wang Y, Liu C, Zhang C, Han W, Hong X, Wang Y, Hong Q, Wang S, Zhao Q, Wang Y, Yang Y, Chen K, Zheng W, Kong L, Wang F, Zuo Q, Huang Z, Cong Y. Conformational dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 trimeric spike glycoprotein in complex with receptor ACE2 revealed by cryo-EM. Sci Adv. 2021 Jan 1;7(1):eabe5575. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abe5575. PMID: 33277323; PMCID: PMC7775788.
Yan R, Zhang Y, Li Y, Xia L, Guo Y, Zhou Q. Structural basis for the recognition of SARS-CoV-2 by full-length human ACE2. Science. 2020 Mar 27;367(6485):1444-1448. doi: 10.1126/science.abb2762. Epub 2020 Mar 4. PMID: 32132184; PMCID: PMC7164635.
.gif)
