Emerging Omicron sub lineages across the world
- December 26, 2022
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Emerging Omicron sub lineages across the world
Subject :Science and Technology
Recombination
- Recombination is a process of producing new combinations of alleles by the recombination of DNA molecules.
- It is also referred to as genetic recombination, as there is an exchange of genetic material (DNA) between two different chromosomes or between different regions of the same chromosome.
- This process is observed in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. It increases the genetic diversity of sexually reproducing organisms.
Types of Recombination
- Recombination can be of the following two types:
- Homologous Recombination: This type of recombination occurs between chromosomes of similar sequences and is carried out during meiosis.
- Non-homologous Recombination: This occurs between chromosomes that are not similar.
- Site-specific Recombination: This is observed between very short sequences that usually contain similarities.
- Mitotic Recombination: Mitotic recombination occurs during interphase. However, this type of recombination is usually harmful and can result in tumors. It increases when the cells are exposed to radiation.
- The prokaryotic cells undergo recombination through one of the three processes:
- Conjugation
- Transformation
- Transduction
Recombinant Lineage XBB
- Only 30 sequences of SARS-CoV 2 are available on GISAID Website from china.
- These belong to 14 different lineages of SARS-CoV2, all of which are omicron sublineages including recombinant lineage XBB.
- Recombinant XBB Lineage resulted from recombinant between omicron sublineages BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75.
- Though there has been no observed association of the lineage with a sustained increase in new cases in India, it has become the dominant variant in many countries now including China.
- It has a growth advantage over other lineages even in highly vaccinated regions, thus making it important to monitor the spread and evolution of this lineage.
What is GISAID?
- It is a public platform started by the WHO in 2008 for countries to share genome sequences.
- Created as an alternative to the public domain sharing model, GISAID’s sharing mechanism took into account the concerns of Member States by providing a publicly accessible database designed by scientist for scientist, to improve the sharing of influenza data.
- In 2010 the Federal Republic of Germany became the official host of the GISAID platform.
- In 2013 the European Commission recognized GISAID as a research organization and partner in the PREDEMICS consortium, a project on the Preparedness, Prediction and the Prevention of Emerging Zoonotic Viruses with Pandemic Potential using multidisciplinary approaches.
- GISAID’s database access agreement ensures that contributors of genetic sequence data do not forfeit their intellectual property rights to the data.