Why British Scientists' Gene Sequencing Is Important

JAKARTA - British scientists plan to track the spread of COVID-19 by sequencing the viral genes. In addition, scientists will monitor whether there is a mutation in the corona virus that causes COVID-19 and analyze the strains or derivatives that cause thousands of COVID-19 cases around the world.

Scientists will previously collect data from samples of patients infected with COVID-19 in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, launching Reuters, Monday, March 23, 2020. This was conveyed directly by the government in a statement.

"This virus is one of the biggest threats our nation has faced in recent times and important to helping us fight it is understanding how it spreads," said Sharon Peacock, director of the UK's National Infectious Service (PHE).

Working in teams across the UK, scientists will map and analyze the complete genetic code of COVID-19 samples. Samples from patients with COVID-19 will be sent to gene sequencing centers in Belfast, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford and Sheffield.

"The genomic sequencing will help us understand COVID-19 and its spread. It can also help in future treatment options and see the impact of viral inventions, ”said Patrick Vallance, the Government's Chief Scientific Advisor.

Why is it important?

In epidemics, gene sequencing can help scientists monitor small changes in the virus on a national or international scale to understand how they spread and whether different strains emerge.

"Right now, an important question we can help answer gene sequencing is to help understand the role of international (virus) spread in the UK," said Nick Loman, a professor of microbes and bioinformatics at the University of Birmingham.

Sequencing the genes for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 from different patients allows researchers to build a picture of how the virus can spread. For example, a group of patients with nearly identical coronavirus infecting them may all be part of the same source.

Such a technique was used in a hospital in Cambridge and was able to identify the source of an outbreak of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). "Making use of innovative genome technology will help us separate the complex picture of the spread of the coronavirus in the UK." said Sharon Peacock.

The British government says the £ 20 million research project is expected to increase understanding of the pandemic and ultimately save lives. In the UK, there were 5,683 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 281 people died and 93 people recovered.