New Delhi:
Scientists from India, China, Russia and Brazil will carry out genomic sequencing of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, and also research on epidemiology and mathematical modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic, a statement stated on Friday.
A entire-genome sequencing is necessary for the identification of genetic mutations and recombinations of the virus, when epidemiological research can assistance assess its distribution. Mathematical modelling is necessary to project its future spread.
“Keeping this in mind, a research plan has been made by including expertise of scientists and engineers from diverse backgrounds,” the statement stated.
The study will provide a popular platform to share and analyse the information of 4 distinctive nations and fully grasp the spread routes and transmission dynamics of virus, it added.
A consortium consisting of Ch Sasikala, Professor, Centre for Environment, Institute of Science and Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad Yuhua Xin, Professorate Senior Engineer Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China Ivan Sobolev, Senior Researcher, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Timakova, Russia Dr Marilda Mendonca Siqueira, Respiratory Viruses and Measles Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will carry out distinctive arms of this BRICS-Multilateral Research and Development Project, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) stated.
Under this study supported by the DST, the Indian and Brazilian sides will assess the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples by way of metagenome evaluation for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) surveillance, the statement stated.
The Chinese and Russian scientists will carry out the Real-Time PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 in biological material (nasopharyngeal swabs) from patients with symptoms of respiratory ailments and investigate the genomic variability, comparative genomics and phylogenetic evaluation.
“The genomic, metagenomic and epidemiological data from India, China, Russia and Brazil will be integrated to develop mathematical models for mutations analysis, population genetics, phylogenetic relationship, recombination analysis and risk evaluation to reveal spread network and dynamics of the virus,” it stated.
This can assistance trace spread routes and dynamics of the virus. The database created by the distinctive groups will also examine the distribution and survival of the virus in the distinctive regions and establish the surveillance of the relevant early warning technique, it added.
The collaborative study program has been created contemplating the strengths of international collaborators from the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences of China Federal Research Centre of Fundamental and Translational Medicine of Russia and Respiratory Virus and Measles Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute of Brazil.
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