Question: consider the following statements about INSACOG :
a) It is coordinated by Department of Biotechnology(DBT), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoH&FW), Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR) and Central Council of Industrial Research(CSIR).
b) It is consortium of 10 Indian labs set up for the monitoring of genomic variations in the SARS-COV-2 on a regular basis.
Which of the above two are correct?
i)a
ii)b
iii) a and b both
iv ) none of the above
Answer: iii)
Context
- A newly identified variant of the novel SARS-CoV-2 Virus in the UK, South Africa and some other parts of the world has prompted the launch of Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
- This new variant is significantly more transmissible than previously circulating variants, with an estimated potential to increase the reproductive number with an estimated increased transmissibility of up to 70%.
Facts
- INSACOG has been launched. It is coordinated by DBT, MoH&FW,ICMR and CSIR.
- The overall aim of the proposed Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium is to monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 on a regular basis through a multi-laboratory network.
- This vital research consortium will also assist in developing potential vaccines in the future.
- It will also ascertain status of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 , establishing a sentinel surveillance for early detection of genomic variation with public health significance.
- It is consortium of 10 labs- DBT-NIBMG Kalyani, DBT-ILS Bhubaneswar, ICMR-NIV Pune, DBT-NCCS Pune, CSIR-CCMB Hyderabad, DBT-CDFD Hyderabad, DBT-InSTEM/ NCBS Bengaluru, NIMHANS Bengaluru, CSIR-IGIB Delhi, and NCDC Delhi.
- DBT-NIBMG ,Kalyani is the Co-ordinating Unit of Genome Sequencing Consortium and it will coordinate with National Centre for Disease Control for activities like data analysis, data release etc.
Reference: http://ddnews.gov.in/health/indian-sars-cov-2-genomics-consortium-insacog-launched