Scientists at the Centre for Dengue Research at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sequence SARS-CoV2 Viruses in Sri Lanka
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura is one of the leading laboratories in Sri Lanka, which is carrying out diagnostics for COVID-19. Currently several strains of the SARS-CoV2 virus are circulating in the world and some strains are thought to be more virulent than others. As infected patients came to Sri Lanka from all over the world, the team of scientists at the Centre for Dengue Research at the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit led by Prof. Neelika Malavige have sequenced the viruses in Sri Lanka. This is the first time whole genomic sequencing of viruses has been carried out in Sri Lanka. In all previous instances, when virus sequencing was required, samples have been sent overseas for this purpose. Therefore, the scientists at University of Sri Jayewardenepura have taken a gigantic step forward, by initiating whole genomic sequencing in Sri Lanka and providing invaluable data regarding the virus strains here.
The data has been analysed and all 4 strains on which the whole genomic sequencing was done is of the A type. The fact that the 4 already sequenced is all A clade is interesting.
See attached image. It is just 4 strains, but all A. At present 20 more sequences are being done.
Visualize and get more details, do visit: https://nextstrain.org/ncov
