Genome Sequencing: Why Is It Important?

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What Is Genome Sequencing

The laboratory method is used to determine the complete makeup of a particular organism or cell type. This method can be used to detect changes in parts of the genome. These changes could help scientists understand how specific diseases, such as cancer develop. The effect of Genome sequencing can also be used to diagnose and treat the disease.

The Genome- the genetic material of an organism is basically its instruction manual, which contains all the information needed to create and maintain it. The human genome is made up of double-stranded DNA and the four nucleotide bases are written in a special code of letters. The human genome is more than 3 billion base characters long.

In contrast, the genome of a virus can be made up of either DNA or RNA. Coronaviruses are RNA viruses and the newly discovered virus SARS-CoV-2 has a single short RNA strand that is only 30,000 characters long. These letters can be read one by one using a technique called genome sequencing.

Genome sequencing or whole genome sequencing involves the analysis of the genetic code of an organism and is done with the help of powerful computers.

Genome Identify Viruses

If a sequence of new coronavirus is found in a sample it will confirm the patient’s symptoms of Covid 19. Virus genomes constantly change a few letters at a time as they divide and spread by infecting more people. These changes can be used to track the spread of infecting more people. These changes can be used to track the spread of viruses by sequencing, recording and analyzing the genome.

If the virus’ genome sequencing is done quickly and extensively. It can help epidemiologists and public health officials understand how the virus is spreading and evaluate how effective their interventions are. It can also help to establish whether new types are associated with specific patterns of symptoms or the severity of the disease. In the long run, it is important to keep track of new strains to ensure that vaccines, when developed, can be kept ‘up to date with strains of viruses currently transmitted.

Why Is Genome Sequence Important?

We all know that viruses mutate, as they replicate. The mutation is small errors in the genetic code that occurs during the duplication process. Some are harmless but some others can cause mutation in virus and due to mutation virus can be more contagious e.g Omicron (recent mutation in Covid 19). Therefore it is important to keep track of the genomic sequence to detect the virus. As the number of differences in viral strains increases, so will the resulting virus, which will behave differently in terms of how fast they spread, what kind of symptoms, and the severity of the disease. The difference can be beneficial, harmful or dishonest. Different types may have different tendencies and may require new prevention and treatment strategies.

Omicron Threat: Genome Sequencing 

The emergence of the Omicron B.1.1.529 type of new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 virus has reilluminated the science of sequencing and analysis to better understand mutations in viruses. Omicron is the fifth type of anxiety classified by the World Health Organization. The body has been flagged as a high-risk type. In India, genome sequencing is low worldwide about 0.215% of all cases until recently.

India indexed a total of,115,101 samples till November 8, 2021. From the data of the SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics launched in December 2020, India indexed 53,562 samples from 26 July to 8 November and analyzed 46,676 of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Que- What is the purpose of genome sequencing?
Ans- Sequencing is used in molecular biology to study the genome and protein encoded by it. The information obtained using the sequence allows researchers to identify genetic mutations, disease and phenotype-related and potential drug targets.

Que- How does gene sequencing work?
Ans- Sequencing uses a technique known as electrophoresis to separate pieces of DNA that differ in length by just one base. Smaller molecules move faster through the gel, so DNA molecules split into different bands according to their size.

Que- Can the coronavirus disease be transmitted through water?
Ans- Drinking water does not spread Covid 19. If you are swimming in a pool or in a pond you can not get covid 19 through water, but what can happen if you go to a crowded swimming pool and you are close to other people and if someone is infected you can definitely be affected.

Que- What is genome sequencing?
Ans- The laboratory method is used to determine the complete makeup of a particular organism or cell type. This method can be used to detect changes in parts of the genome. These changes could help scientists understand how specific diseases, such as cancer develop. The effect of genomic sequence can also be used to diagnose and treat the disease.

Conclusion: The genome Sequencing method offers a novel tool for detecting variant phenotypically or antigenically. Genome Sequencing makes it easier to anticipate as well as develop effective strategies to reduce and control the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and other new viruses.

Disclaimer: All the content of this article is for information purposes only.

References

www.swachhindia.ndtv.com

www.downtoearth.org.in