DU decodes five genomes of coronavirus

A Dhaka University team on Saturday announced that they decoded genome sequence of five samples of the novel coronavirus.

Genetic engineering and biotechnology professor Sharif Akhtaruzzaman, also the chief of the Corona Response Technical Committee of the university, made the announcement in a release.

The analysed data has been submitted to, and accepted by, the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data managed by Germany-based Max Planck Institute for Informatics, the release said.

The project was launched on May 14 for genome sequencing of Sars-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19.

Alumni of the DU biochemistry and molecular biology department across the globe have promised to bear the expenses of the initial stage of the decoding of 100 samples of coronavirus.

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Professor Sharif urged that it was necessary to sequence a huge number of samples to know the condition of mutation which will provide a better understanding and necessary measures can be taken then to tackle the spread of the virus in the country.

The sequencing process is going on in the laboratories of three departments — biochemistry and molecular biology, genetic engineering and biotechnology, and microbiology under the biological science faculty — and the Centre for Advanced Research in Science laboratory.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net