NAGPUR: CSIR-National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (Neeri) has reportedly sent RNA extracts of eight samples of Covid-19 patients from Umred for genome sequencing to Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).
Till now, Neeri, in association with CCMB, has completed genome sequencing of 420 samples, 412 from city and latest eight samples from rural areas.
Zilla Parishad CEO Yogesh Kumbhejkar told TOI, “Samples of patients from Umred were handed over to Neeri for genome sequencing.” Kumbhejkar and district civil surgeon VD Paturkar reportedly decided to go for genome sequencing samples of nine patients from Umred, as they formed a cluster of cases.
“A woman returned to Umred from Mumbai and tested positive in rapid antigen test.
Another eight people whom she met also tested positive in rapid antigen tests.
Therefore, samples were sent for genome sequencing to know whether they contracted the existing variant or any mutated variant,” an official from ZP said.
After being consulted by ZP officials, Neeri gave kits for collection of samples using gargling technology, which has been invented by Neeri.
ZP handed over samples of nine patients to Neeri on Wednesday.
Eight of them reportedly tested positive in RT-PCR test and one tested negative, at Neeri.
This was the first time ZP has given samples for genome sequencing to Neeri, which is doing it in association with CCMB under Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG).
Genome sequencing is being done by a team led by scientist and head of environmental virology cell Krishna Khairnar, who is also coordinator of department of biotechnology’s Covid-19 Testing Regional Lab.
Sources from district administration and ZP said, “Neeri’s lab completed entire procedure of RNA extraction and sent it to CCMB on Thursday, which is likely to reach in next one or two days.” Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is yet to give any samples to Neeri for genome sequencing.
As per instructions from the government, Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) of IGGMCH sends 15 samples, including five each from laboratories of AIIMS, GMCH and IGGMCH, to Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) for genome sequencing once in 15 days.
The last samples were sent on June 15, and next lot is likely to be sent on July 1.
In the 15-month-pandemic, Neeri has achieved some milestones.
Neeri has crossed a million Covid-19 tests in a year in April, of which 50,000 tests were done using dry swab technology.
Neeri gives RT-PCR results in record time of less than three hours.
The institute has also come up with new technique of collecting samples through gargling and then testing it under RT-PCR, the first in the world to develop this.
NMC has engaged Neeri with its RPTS Swab Samples Collecting Centre.
Neeri has selected and done genome sequencing of 412 samples from city and received from RPTS Centre.