Covid-19 is changing form much faster in Bangladesh than any other country in the world. The rate of change in the world is 7.23 percent but in the case of Bangladesh it is 12.60 percent.
BCSIR Genomic Research Laboratory Covid-19 Genome Sequencing Report has revealed such information.
The information was given at an official press conference on Sunday (September 6). Science and Technology Minister Architect Yafes Osman was present as the chief guest at the press conference.
A total of 263 genome sequencing data were analyzed from 8 divisions of the country, the press conference said. These data were collected from 8 May to 31 July. The purpose of the study was to observe virus infection, mutation rate, genetic diversity, non-synonymous mutations and genomic phylogeny. Use the results of the study to play an effective role in preventing the Covid-19 pandemic.
The dominant variant G614 (the cause of glycine instead of aspartic acid in the 614th position in the spike protein) was found to be present in 100% of the collected samples. Analysis of 273 SARS Cove 2 genomes found mutations at 638 points, including 356 non-synonymous amino acid substitutions. According to the available data, the annual mutation rate is 24.64 nucleotides.
Of the 103 nucleotide mutations in the Spike protein gene, 53 are non-synonymous amino acid substitutions, 5 of which are unique and nowhere else in the world. In 100% of the collected samples, 4 mutations are repeated. The results of the study have been published in print. Several research papers will be published in international journals soon. Reports have been sent to 50 companies working on the Covid-19 vaccine, including the Chinese company Synovac Research and Development Company, the American company Modarna, the University and Oxford. BCSIR has claimed that this will help in the production of Covid-19 suitable vaccine in Bangladesh and BCSIR will be proud to be its partner.
BCSIR is one of the top 5 genome sequencing organizations in the world. BCSIR is also considered to be the second largest genomic research lab in South Asia. The research is being carried out jointly with several reputed universities, including Melbourne, Australia, the press conference said.
BCSIR Chairman Prof. Dr. Md. Aftab Ali Shaikh presided over the press conference.