The Whole-Genome sequencing of coronavirus

• One more institute of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has started the whole-genome sequencing of the novel coronavirus.

Key highlights:

• Chandigarh-based Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) has taken up the task of large-scale genome sequencing of the virus. Earlier, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology and the Institute of Genomics and Integrated Biology had started working on it.

• The whole-genome sequencing is a method used to determine the complete DNA sequence of a specific organism’s genome.

• The complete genome sequence information will enable researchers to gain insights about the origins of the virus, the different types of strains circulating in India and how it has spread across the length and breadth of the country.

• The genomic resource obtained from this sequencing will also allow identification of new targets for diagnosis and drugs for COVID-19.

• So far, 9000 samples have been sequenced internationally as per Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) – a public platform started by the WHO in 2008 for countries to share genome sequences.