Scientists have simulated the transition of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein structure from when it recognizes the host cell to when it gains entry, according to a study published 8/31/21 in eLife, "Model of SARS-CoV-2 dynamics reveals opportunity to prevent COVID-19 transmission." The research shows that a structure enabled by sugar molecules on the spike protein could be essential for cell entry and that disrupting this structure could be a strategy to halt virus transmission.

The research article published 8/31/21, by Esteban Dodero-Rojas, José N. Onuchic, et al., "Sterically confined rearrangements of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein control cell invasion," can be found here in eLife.