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2. Prospective genomic surveillance: Genome sequencing to i) track variant emergence and transmission using sampling strategies defined by sociodemographics; ii) reconstruct epidemiologic history using both phylogenetic analysis and gene genealogy; iii) characterise and draw inferences from clinical phenotypes including vaccine breakthroughs, re-infections, and others; and iv) conduct environmental surveillance (of sewage and wastewater), potential to complement human surveillance and support of early interventions (considering large proportion of infected people are asymptomatic).
3. Build human resource: Bioinformatics and genomic epidemiology training for pathogen genomics across institutions and platforms. Adopt evolving technology for sequencing, analyses and rapid identification of viral variants, build workflows, use of pipelines, quality checks, data validation and approaches to rapid/real-time data sharing.
4. Applied science: Use of sequencing data to inform and support evaluations relevant to public health, vaccines, drug development and clinical prediction.
Partners, such as Pune Knowledge Cluster (coordinator representing CSIR-NCL, IISER Pune, SPPU, NCCS, BJMC, AFMC, KEM and Symbiosis Hospitals), CCMB, NCBS, InStem, St. Johns Hospital, Baptist Hospital, NIMHANS, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board, and CMC Vellore are among those whose objectives of success include the well-being and health of the greater populace.
Contact info:
secy@psa.gov.in, sapna.poti@gov.in
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VOL. IV ISSUE 6
VIGYAN PRASAR 18
NATION’S S&T EFFORTS AGAINST COVID-19