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.