Researchers at the Department of Microbiology at The University of Hong Kong have isolated the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, making them the first known research team in Asia to do so. The isolated variant will help develop and produce vaccines against the Omicron variant, which is considered avariant of concern by the World Health Organization. The research team is now working on expanding the virus for use in assessing its transmissibility, immune evasion capability, and pathogenicity in animal models.