THSTI is now part of INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories

26 Aug 2021

Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) is now part of Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) Genome Sequencing Laboratories. THSTI has been actively involved in the testing of SARS-CoV-2 clinical samples using its own facilities. As a part of INSACOG, THSTI has extended its DNA sequencing facility for virus genome sequencing to identify virus heterogeneity and emerging virus variants.

INSACOG has been jointly initiated by the Union Health Ministry of Health and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) with Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2. It is a multi-laboratory, multi-agency, Pan-India network comprising of national laboratories. The network carries out whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 virus across the nation, aiding the understanding of how the virus spreads and evolves, and provide information to aid public health response. The aim of INSACOG is to understand the SARS-CoV-2 genome plasticity and its association with disease dynamics and severity.