Genome Mapping

Subject: Science and tech

Context:

• Mapping genomic variants of SARS CoV-2 could help control second wave. Tackling a second wave will rely on all the information countries have gotten from the first round of the outbreak. To that end, researchers will be using genome sequencing to prevent, or curb a second wave.

Concept:

• Scientists have so far sequenced 34,000 genomes for the virus globally. This data is expected to help researchers trace “the origin of the outbreak in their countries”.
• Genomic profiling helps reduce the duration of outbreaks, and their intensity, by aiding contact tracing.
• At the start of a second wave, when there are few cases, available genomic data can be used to spot which clade of the virus one is dealing with, and what was its last geographic trace.
• New Zealand, which has managed to keep new infections to zero, has sequenced the genome of all variants of the virus from infections within its borders.
• Genome sequencing involves revealing the order of bases present in the entire genome of an organism
• Genome: It is an organism’s complete set of genetic material, including all of its genes. Each genome contains all of the information needed to build and maintain that organism.