Tamil Nadu lab gets INSACOG recognition
The Hindu
Move will expedite the process of identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants
The whole genome sequencing (WGS) laboratory of the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) has joined the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
According to officials of the Health Department, the recognition is part of the expansion of INSACOG, a network that monitors genomic variations of SARS-CoV-2. The Department of Biotechnology has approved the inclusion of the laboratory as a new INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratory (IGSL) in the consortium.
Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said the SPHL’s facility, set up at a cost of ₹4 crore, had been recognised by INSACOG. It was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on September 14. Whole genome sequencing was crucial in identifying new variants of SARS-CoV-2. Tamil Nadu had, thus far, been sending SARS-CoV-2 samples for genomic sequencing to identify variants.
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