India’s Groundbreaking Mega Study of COVID-19 Samples: A Bold Step Towards Safeguarding Against Future Pandemics

The Department of Biotechnology in New Delhi plans a comprehensive study using samples and clinical material gathered during the COVID-19 pandemic to deepen understanding of individual susceptibility and metabolic shifts, crucial for tackling future pandemics. The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), encompassing 54 labs, has been tasked with executing this research. The official disclosed that the project aims to investigate infection science, including immunological susceptibility, viral evolution, and metabolic changes in infected individuals. Retrospective studies will tap into an extensive data pool accumulated during the pandemic.

As per the World Health Organization, a significant minority of SARS-CoV-2 patients—10-20%—may develop “long COVID,” where symptoms persist for over three months post-infection. Notable symptoms include fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and breathlessness, although over 200 different symptoms have been noted.

India, witnessing a dramatic decline in COVID-19 cases, reported 98 active cases as of October 28. Since December 2020, INSACOG has sequenced approximately 330,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes to monitor variant status, establish surveillance mechanisms, and identify genomic variants during super-spreader events.

While several nations have commenced retrospective studies, India is poised to optimize its sample resources. The official highlighted efforts to leverage this data effectively and foster collaboration within the scientific community, aiming to maintain engagement within the INSACOG network for future initiatives. Queries directed at the Department of Biotechnology and the health ministry spokesperson remain unanswered.

Original Story https://www.livemint.com/science/health/india-study-covid19-samples-pandemics-health-insacog-coronavirus-11730704555670.html
Category :
Tags: