Most of the time when a virus mutates, the resulting variants are benign or even weakened versions of the pathogen. But the coronavirus is spreading practically uncontrolled all over the world, which means it is more likely to evolve into a more efficient version. Over time, it is possible that future mutations could result in a virus that is even more contagious, more deadly, or harder to vaccinate against.
mutates
During the "Secret Empire" storyline, Sauron returned to the Savage Land to claim leadership over the mutates. He ruled until Vertigo, Lupa, and Whiteout turned on him, driving him out of the Citadel. A resistance group of Avengers, searching for Cosmic Cube fragments, teamed up with Sauron to investigate, as they speculated that the mutates may have found it. The group was then ambushed by Gaza riding a tyrannosaurus rex. He revealed that Sauron only kept the three female mutates at his side because they were desirable and had powers that weren't a threat to him. As the group arrived at the Citadel, Sauron attempted to betray them but was quickly defeated by Mockingbird. She then bartered with Lupa, Vertigo, and Whiteout, offering to give them Sauron in exchange for the fragment. The trio refuse, as the fragment enabled them to overthrow Sauron and push the Savage Land towards peace. The two groups clashed, with Vertigo confronting Sauron with the knowledge that she had been cloned and killed many times. During the skirmish, Sauron managed to grab the shard but was defeated by the combined effort of both groups. Quicksilver then grabbed the shard and escaped. Lupa, Vertigo, and Whiteout allowed the group to leave in exchange for locking Sauron in a dungeon.[4]
Using a library of envelope, or Env, mutants made in a strain of HIV directly isolated from an infected child, the team infected T cells in the lab in the presence of PGT151. As the protein that covers HIV's surface, Env is the primary part of the virus that the immune system can see and act on. HIV is a particularly notorious foe for both the natural immune system and for immune reactions spurred by vaccines in part because Env mutates so rapidly, slipping away from immune recognition before the body can effectively rid itself of the infection.
Viruses, like all living things, go through mutations throughout their lifespan. If a mutation provides a survival advantage, then that mutated version becomes the dominant strain. Just like the chameleons have evolved to change skin pigment shades to avoid predators, the COVID-19 virus evolves to avoid the human immune system.Virus mutation happens quickly over weeks to months due to the high number of viruses and infected people. Since it was first discovered, SARS-CoV2 has been acquiring two mutations in its genome (complete set of DNA) every two weeks. That may sound like a lot, but the influenza virus mutates at a much faster rate.
Mutates are beings that have come into contact with tailored mutagenic formulas. This process grafts DNA from another species into the individual's genome giving them selected traits from that species while still keeping the basic form and intelligence of the subject. So far, all mutates have started out as humans; the one known attempt to mutate a gargoyle was prevented from coming to pass.
The creation of the first mutates (called the Mutate Project) began with the expertise of Dr. Anton Sevarius working at Gen-U-Tech Systems under the orders and supervision of David Xanatos. After the successful testing of the first batch of mutates, Sevarius went on to make several more, first as an employee at Gen-U-Tech and later as a freelance scientist.
So far none of the mutates produced have been returned to their original forms and it is not clear if this is even possible. Talon and Maggie, of the first batch of mutates, have proved able to conceive a child; it is unknown whether or not this child will inherit their mutate traits.
The first batch of mutates was created when Xanatos ordered Sevarius to design a creature based on a gargoyle, hoping to have his own gargoyle-like creatures to control after it became clear that Goliath and his clan would not serve him. Sevarius transformed four human subjects (three were homeless people recruited off the street and the fourth was Derek Maza) into gargoyle-like creatures. The genetic material of three animals was injected into the four subjects: large cat DNA for their strength and speed, bat DNA to provide wings and the ability to fly, and electric eel DNA to provide the mutates with an energy storing system to enable them the power to fly and also the ability to fire out bolts of electricity as weaponry. In addition, the mutates are able to cape their wings like gargoyles. ("Metamorphosis")
The second batch of mutates includes only Wolf. Xanatos offered upgrades to all members of the Pack and Wolf volunteered to undergo the process in the hopes that he would have the strength to match Goliath in battle. Sevarius mutated Wolf with wolf DNA, giving him superior strength and agility. ("Upgrade")
The third batch of mutates was created after Sevarius began accepting freelance work. An unknown client asked Sevarius to investigate the practicality of creating an army of armored mutates. With the help of Fang, Sevarius kidnapped four humans from the Labyrinth and mutated them using DNA from various armored animals (armadillo, turtle, woodlouse and crocodile) giving them the natural defenses of these creatures, but potentially other traits as well. ("Louse")
Twice Sevarius has created mutagenic formulas, but was unsuccessful in administering them to their targets. The first was in the creation of the CV-1997 Carrier Virus which he intended to release in Times Square upon the thousands of humans gathered there for the New Year's Eve celebration. If successful this mutagen would have created a wide variety of mutates to further his study of creating an armored mutate army.The second failed experiment was when he attempted to inject gargoyle DNA, in this case Angela's, into Robyn Canmore to witness what would happen to a human mutated with gargate DNA. Likewise, he planned to inject Yama with human DNA (donor unknown) to view the opposite effect.All of these failed attempts were thwarted by the actions of the Redemption Squad, though there is some evidence that Sevarius or someone else will create more mutates in the future. ("Louse") [1][2]
In the nightmare world of "Future Tense", Sevarius had sought to make the last free humans of New York City into mutates. Apparently, he was unsuccessful (most likely through the intervention of Broadway, Maggie, Talon, and Coldstone, though it cost Broadway his eyes and the other three their lives) since humans could still be seen struggling for survival in the city. However, an army of mutates resembling those created in the first batch (and perhaps all clones of each other) did patrol Manhattan.
When the superhero team of mutants, the X-Men, were exploring the Savage Land, the Mutates battled the X-Men and X-ally, the Savage Land protector known as Ka-zar. Revealing the Creator as Magneto, the X-Men were captured until Jean Grey ultimately destroyed Magneto's headquarters and machines, burying Magneto under the debris and reverting the mutates back to their non-superhuman state. 2ff7e9595c
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