Patna: The first genome sequencing lab (GSL) of the state is now ready at the Indira Gandhi (IGIM) Medical Institute here.
Laboratories will help identify genetic mutations that occur in any microorganisms, including viruses.
Dr.
Manish Mandal Medical Supervisor said the lab with advanced instruments was regulated with funds provided by the center.
“All equipment has been installed and tested and trials have begun in the lab under the supervision of experts from the National Institute of Virology, Pune and CSIR, New Delhi as part of the standardization process needed to give approval by the Government of India to be functional,” he said , The genome sequencing technique assumes a greater role in public health after the Covid virus mutates and changes its nature, thus becoming more harmful to human life.
Recently, the state government has sent several covid samples to the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, to confirm the new Virus Covid variant, called Delta Plus.
Dr.
Mandal said once the laboratory became operational, all suspected samples from the country would be tested at faster speeds in IGIM.