In a major breakthrough, scientists at Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) have succeeded in sequencing the whole genome of novel coronavirus aka COVID-19.
The chief minister’s office in Gujarat lauded the scientists at GBRC for becoming the first state government laboratory in the country to achieve this feat. The whole genome sequence will play an important role in tracking origin, drug targets, vaccine and association with virulence.
“Gujarat is proud of scientists at Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), the only State Govt laboratory in India that has reported COVID19 whole genome sequence which will be helpful in tracking origin, drug targets, vaccine & association with virulence,” tweeted CMO Gujarat.
Whole-genome sequencing is used to determine the complete DNA sequence of the genome of a particular organism. The approach for sequencing the coronavirus genome involves obtaining samples from patients that have tested positive for the deadly virus and sending these samples to a sequencing centre.
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It is to be noted that Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) researchers have succeeded in detecting coronaviruses among two species of bats in India, sending a message that active surveillance of bats is required to identify the emerging strains of the viruses that can cause an epidemic in future.
Source: EastMojo