Gandhinagar: Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), has become 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. Professor Chaitanya Joshi, Director of GBRC said, ‘Each living organ has DNA or RNA as its basic unit. Some viruses have DNA, some have RNA formation. Coronavirus has RNA structure. If we understand the nature of nucleic acid, we can understand virus’s behavior which helps to find possible solutions against the virus. So far very basic level work has been done by GBRC. Mutation rate in virus use to be very high. It keeps changing its structure to survive. Samples are being collected from various locations of Gujarat for whole genome analysis and sequencing involving around 100 virus isolate from patients in order to plan drug development and vaccine development strategy. While 6 mutations are reported across the world, three new mutations have been seen in GBRC samplings. We are studying that what shall be their implications. Coronavirus after a month long transfer can see two mutation, this rate is very speedy.’

DeshGujarat