Scientists at Gujarat lab decode whole genome sequence of coronavirus

April 17: The Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) has become the country’s first state government laboratory to decode the whole genome sequence of the novel coronavirus. The scientists at GBRC claimed to have discovered three new mutations. The finding is an important tool in tracing the origin of the deadly disease, vaccine, drug targets and virulence of the virus.

The announcement comes at a time when the death toll in Gujarat has risen to 36 and number of positive cases stands at 930. Gujarat’s Chief Minister Office took to Twitter to praise the scientists at GBRC for the same. The CMO Gujarat tweeted, “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.”

.@narendramodi @PMOIndia @PrinSciAdvGoI @ICMRDELHI @MoHFW_INDIA @MoHFW_GUJARAT @dstGujarat @gsbtm @InfoGujcost https://t.co/5VCyTxhJZ1 pic.twitter.com/Nlop4Gm9cd

— GBRC (@gbrc_gujarat) April 15, 2020

Chaitanya Joshi, Director of GBRC, said that they have found three new mutations in the virus apart from the six mutations that have been there in the virus in China and other countries. Studying the genetic sequence of the virus will help scientists better understand the nature of the virus, including how it spreads as well as measures to control the outbreak.