- Giulia Granchi
- BBC News from Brazil on Sao Paulo
Credit, Katerina Kon / Getty Images
Brazil is the next country to conduct a nationwide study of the coronary virus on a platform set up by the British government to help other countries expand their capacity in viral genomic sequencing, called the NVAP (New Variant Assessment Platform).
The study, carried out in collaboration with the Corti-Ômica network of the MCTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation), is the largest genome control initiative ever conducted in Brazil and should identify variants and subtypes circulating in 27 Brazilian territories. States to help understand the spread of Sars-CoV-2 in the national territory.
The study is funded by the UKHSA (UK National Health Insurance Agency) and is supported by researchers from various Brazilian federal universities and the Pardini Group, a diagnostic medical network that makes positive tests collected from more than 6,000 patients available. laboratories and partners.
The goal of the team is to sequence the complete Sars-CoV-2 genome from approximately 5,000 laboratory samples collected per month for approximately 6 months.
Renato Santana, a virologist and professor at UFMG, is one of the research coordinators and explains the importance of expanding genomic surveillance in Brazil.
“The goal set by the WHO is for countries to be able to sequence 5-10% of positive cases. But while countries like Britain and Denmark managed to sequence almost 50% of cases, we did not reach 1%. In a country like Brazil with a continental dimension, the virus not practically sequenced, “he says.
In addition, Santana explains that the geographical expansion of the sample collection also provides an overview of covid-19 indoors.
“The research done so far has focused on large urban centers, mainly the capitals, and only now are we filling the gap with other previously neglected cities.”
The goal is that greater sequencing will allow researchers to evaluate new variants in Brazil in addition to estimating transmission speeds.
“If there is a variant that escapes our vaccines, for example, we show the importance of booster doses of these variants. Research can guide public vaccination and protection measures. The idea is to provide quality information so we can support public health interventions,” the virologist stresses.
Credit, Renato Santana / Personal file
UFMG Integrative Biology Laboratory with Machines Used for Viral Genome Sequencing
Sequencing step by step
The genome of a virus, unlike the human genome, is not DNA, but RNA, a kind of nucleic acid. The molecule is also present in us humans, but it does not control our genome.
In order to sequence all the genes in the virus, the researchers will collect positive swab specimens and send them so that the RNA can be separated in the laboratory. They then convert that RNA molecule into DNA.
“From there, we use a strategy that allows us to amplify the entire genome of the virus that we put into automated sequencers,” Santana says. Sequencers are computers connected to computers that count chemical reactions all the time.
According to the expert, the virus is constantly making small changes to its own genome, but an adaptation benefit is needed in order for it to establish itself as a new variant.
“For example, it would escape vaccine protection or replicate much faster.”
Until the end result is reached, the whole process will take about two weeks. According to Professor Renato, research samples have already been randomly selected from across the country and viral RNA has already been separated from all samples. Now the groups are waiting for the reagents sent by England to arrive for genomic analysis.
Credit, Renato Santana / Personal file
In addition to UFMG, 10 other Brazilian universities are involved in the study
“The UK government’s involvement exceeds funding. There is also training for researchers in bioinformatics analysis and molecular epidemiology. Researchers are learning analytical methods to keep the data in Brazil,” the virologist points out.
As a result, the integration of epidemiological data is important for the association between Sars-CoV-2 strains and covid-19 infections and will help evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccination program in Brazil.
“Everything we learn about Sars-Cov2 genomics can be applied to other pandemics, other viruses. These are studies that provide expertise and analytical training, not just about covid-19, but prepare us for other viruses like influenza, dengue fever, Zika , chikingunya, etc. “, the expert decides.
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