Micro Labs for Genomic Sequencing

Subject – Science and Tech

Context – CSIR-IGIB and FIND plan to set up micro labs for genomic sequencing

Concept –

With the aim of taking genome sequencing to hard-to-reach locations and reducing the time to get results from these tests, CSIRInstitute of Genomics and Integrated Biology has partnered with FIND, a global alliance for diagnostics.
The concept is to decentralise genomic sequencing of SARSCoV-2 through micro labs located closer to where the RT-PCR testing takes place.
At present, test samples are sent to centralised labs at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s IGIB or others belonging to INSACOG – the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium – where they are run on high-throughput machines that require adequate samples to be run.
The micro lab will be housed in a redesigned shipping container and the genome sequencing involves the more nimble Oxford Nanopore technology.
FIND will support and finance this initiative, for possibly a year. The global alliance is a co-convener of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator – diagnostics pillar, and a World Health Organization collaborating centre for laboratory strengthening and diagnostic technology evaluation
This will advance a ‘hub-and-spoke’ model of genomic surveillance comprising both MegaLabs (high-throughput sequencing) and MicroLabs (high-priority sequencing).