I’m not bio-related or anything, but a popular theory is that what we’re seeing in data (where different strains can be observed to develop mutations at a particular spot) can be explained by convergent evolution, which can possibly mean that the variants are running out of new adaptations and converging into local maxima.
Endorsed by someone who has been reading the literature obsessively. The NTD can still get some mileage but most of the really interesting stuff has happened.
I’m not bio-related or anything, but a popular theory is that what we’re seeing in data (where different strains can be observed to develop mutations at a particular spot) can be explained by convergent evolution, which can possibly mean that the variants are running out of new adaptations and converging into local maxima.
Relevant scientific american article | Relevant bioRxiv preprint
Endorsed by someone who has been reading the literature obsessively. The NTD can still get some mileage but most of the really interesting stuff has happened.