noun
mutant strain; mutation; variant
Biology term for a strain of a virus, bacterium, or other organism that has undergone genetic mutation. Often used in virology and epidemiology contexts.
新型コロナウイルスの変異株が世界中で広がっている。
Mutant strains of the novel coronavirus are spreading around the world.
この変異株
This variant may be less susceptible to existing vaccines.
A broader term for any mutant organism or cell, not necessarily a strain; 変異株 emphasizes a distinct lineage or isolate.
Compound of 変異 (へんい, 'mutation') and 株 (かぶ, 'strain' or 'stock'). The term is a modern scientific coinage, likely influenced by English 'mutant strain'.