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A recent study published in MedComm highlights the characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.86 subvariant and its potential to cause a future pandemic. The BA.2.86 lineage, derived from the Omicron BA.2 variant, exhibits a high propensity to infect lung cells and has distinct antigenic epitopes. Additionally, its sublineage JN.1 demonstrates even greater immune escape ability. The BA.2.86 variant shows enhanced binding to ACE2 and increased membrane fusion capacity in lung cells. It also exhibits resistance to many monoclonal antibodies, indicating its evolving immune escape capacity. The JN.1 variant, which has stronger lung infection ability, is spreading rapidly worldwide. Further monitoring of its evolution is necessary. [Extracted from the article]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a worldwide public health emergency, and the high transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variants has raised serious concerns. Efficient disinfection methods are crucial for the prevention of viral transmission. Herein, pulse power-driven cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), a novel sterilization strategy, was found to potently inactivate SARS-CoV-2-like coronavirus GX_P2V, six strains of major epidemic SARS-CoV-2 variants and even swine coronavirus PEDV and SADS-CoV within 300 s (with inhibition rate more than 99%). We identified four dominant short-lived reactive species, ONOO-, 1O 2 , O 2 - and·OH, generated in response to CAP and distinguished their roles in the inactivation of GX_P2V and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD), which is responsible for recognition and binding to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2). Our study provides detailed evidence of a novel surface disinfection strategy for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. [Display omitted] • Wide-spectrum disinfection using pulse power-driven CAP on coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2 variants is studied for the first time. • CAP effectively disinfects coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2 variants within 300s. • The oxidative reaction of CAP affects the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein rather than damaging viral RNA. • The disinfection effect of RONS on coronavirus follows the order of ONOO- > O 2 ->1O 2 > ·OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]