On Aug. 18, 2020, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, the Paul Ehrlich Institute, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), and the Goethe University Frankfurt, announced that they had analysed the spike protein in its natural environment using high-resolution imaging and computer-based methods.

In the process, they gained surprising insights, including an unexpected freedom of movement. The findings could help in the search for vaccines and medicines.