Page 38 - Annual report 2021-22

Annual Report 2021-22 |

developed protocols across Illumina (https://www.illumina.com/) platforms (MiSeq, NextSeq and
NovaSeq) and Oxford Nanopore. CSIR-IGIB has sequenced a total of 1200+SARS-CoV-2 genomes
capturing the geographical length and breadth of India. The sequencing has been done using Oxford
Nanopore Technology (ONT) and adapting the ARTIC Protocol, harnessing the strength of tiling PCR
using version 3 primers. This has ensured genome coverage and sequencing depth for samples with
Ct value ranging from 16 to 31. The genomic data has been analyzed for determining the virus clade 21
and association of mutations with clinical outcome. The data is also being used for looking closely at
the viral lineages. The genome sequence data is stored in the central data exchange server at CSIR-
IGIB with uniformity of data architecture for shared analysis AI enables risk stratification and mortality
prediction. In partnership with IIITH, the multimodal dataset of the SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals
was used to harness the strength of AI towards identifying parameters important for risk stratification
and mortality prediction. In addition to the genome information within the pathogen, the host
response captured through host transcriptional response (RNA-Seq enabled) as well as the role of the
co-infection/s in the clinical severity and outcome were studied. This network was expanded to
include a network of clinical partners inclusive of Max Saket, Apollo Hospital, DY Patil hospital and
AIIMS-Jodhpur hospital; academic partners like National Centre for Disease Control, IIIT-Hyderabad,
CSIR-IIP and CSIR-CLRI. The network of clinicians helped to have access to COVID-19 positive samples,
based on its origin, and with associated clinical information. It included age, gender, co-morbidities,
surgical history, medication, respiratory support, X-ray, blood parameters, hospital stay and clinical
outcome. The integration of clinical and the genomic data have been at the core of the Integrative
Genomics based approach to understand and elucidate the host-pathogen interaction.
South Asians are at high risk of having COVID-19, or to being infected with the SARS-CoV2 virus
However, the underlying cause for the increased risk amongst them is not known. Therefore,
understanding and addressing reasons for high risk of COVID-19 amongst South Asians is important.
Anurag’s lab, in collaboration with John Chambers at the Imperial College London, and investigators
at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation Chennai and Devki Devi Foundation New Delhi initiated
a project to measure antibody responses to SARS CoV2, and correlate them to physiological
parameters such as blood pressure and chronic diseases, BMI and waist circumference, health related
behaviours, socio-economic indicators and metabolic health.

“The universe doesn't allow perfection.” — Stephen Hawking