The first images of a mutation on a COVID-19 variant of concern have been captured by University of British Columbia researchers, who say the photos offer some reassurance about how the virus strain may react to current vaccines.

UBC says the researchers are the first to publish structural images of the mutation found on one portion of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

The spike protein is the part of the virus that opens the door to infection, while the mutation is