For the first time, Vietnamese scientists have successfully built a technological process for sequencing the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus genome using the PacBio long-range genome sequencing technique. This is an important basis for quickly and accurately identifying variants in particular and new pathogenic viruses.
More than a year ago, when Covid-19 first broke out, understanding of the virus was limited.
The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology assigned its institutes to preside over a number of urgent tasks, including sequencing the entire genome of SARS-CoV-2.
Later, the Academy’s Institute of Biotechnology actively coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute to carry out the task.
They succeeded in whole-genome sequencing and de novo assembly of SARS-CoV-2 on a new generation PacBio SEQUEL.
To sequence the genome of the virus, units in Vietnam use short-sequencing technology. This technology takes a long time to read the entire genome and still contains errors.
With PacBio’s long-range genome sequencing technique for SARS-CoV-2, according to scientists, the assembly sequence is highly accurate, at nearly 100 percent similar to the reference sequences.
With mastery of the existing technological process, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology said it is ready to cooperate with health sector units in sequencing the genes of SARS-CoV-2 on a large scale in urgent cases, in order to effectively serve the prevention of COVID-19 in Vietnam./. VNA
