Five mutation points found in coronavirus genome in the region
Researchers have found five points of mutation in the genome structure of novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) in Chattogram.
They came up with the findings after sequencing the virus's genome from patient samples collected from Chattogram city and different upazilas.
Researchers of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID) and Bangladesh Jute Research Institute have jointly sequenced the genome for the first time in Chattogram.
Contacted, Dr Zonaed Siddiki, a pathology professor at CVASU and a research team member, said, "Genome of seven samples have been sequenced. We have found the genome structure to be similar to those found in Australia, Singapore, Russia and Middle Eastern countries."
"Mutations were observed in five points of the 30,000 genome base pairs, which means the virus in this region has mutated five times," he said.
Contacted, Prof Shakeel Ahmed, in-charge of BITID laboratory and also a member of the research team, said, "Genome sequencing is important to know the character of a virus, its nature and mode of operation."
"After observing mutations, researchers get an indication of how the virus alters itself in changing environments," he added.
"This process will also help produce a vaccine against the virus," he continued.
"If we find the virus structure in our country is similar to that in another country, the vaccine introduced in that country would also be effective here."
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