Page 66 - Covid 2021 June 2021

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
Full-genome sequences of the first two SARS-CoV-2 viruses from
India by ICMR-NIV, Pune
SARS-CoV-2 has globally affected 195 countries. In India, suspected cases were screened for SARS-CoV-2 as per the advisory of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Predicted linear B-cell epitopes were found to be concentrated in the S1 domain of spike protein, and a conformational epitope was identified in the receptor-binding domain. The predicted T-cell epitopes showed broad human leucocyte antigen allele coverage of A and B supertypes predominant in the Indian population.
The two SARS-CoV-2 sequences obtained from India represent two different introductions into the country. The genetic heterogeneity is as noted globally. The identified B- and T-cell epitopes may be considered suitable for future experiments towards the design of vaccines and diagnostics. Continuous monitoring and analysis of the sequences of new cases from India and the other affected countries would be vital to understand the genetic evolution and rates of substitution of the SARS-CoV-2.
Contact Info: potdar.v@gov.in; hellopragya22@gmail.com
Predicted conformational B-cell epitopes mapped on the pre-fusion structure
Website link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32242873/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7258756/
VIGYAN PRASAR 63