Genome sequencing of novel coronavirus to begin by Chandigarh-based IMTech

Chandigarh-based Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTech) has taken up the task of large-scale genome sequencing of the virus.After the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and the Institute of Genomic and Integrated Biology (IGIB), one more institute of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has started whole-genome sequencing of novel coronavirus. The sequencing will allow identification of new targets of diagnosis and drugs for COVID-19 and
Dr Sanjeev Khosla, Director, IMTech said that “These genome sequencing samples will be submitted to the international recognised repository. The genomic resource obtained from this sequencing will also allow identification of new targets for diagnosis and drugs for COVID-19.We have already started clinical testing of samples and now by embarking on this mission to sequence viral strains, we will be better equipped to understand the nature of this virus, which has caused a global pandemic.”
Genome sequencing is a method which helps in completing and determining the DNA sequence of a specific organism’s genome. Since the Institute is known for its specialisation in microbial and genomic research, CSIR-IMTech will perform sequencing of the SARS-Cov-2 RNA genome isolated from clinical samples.