The Omicron trial is underway at the Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology in Thiruvananthapuram.
Thiruvananthapuram:
Following the confirmation of the first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Kerala is conducting genome sequencing trials on 30 other samples at the Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology in Thiruvananthapuram.
When NDTV entered the lab – where initial preparation work lasted 8 hours for the samples – team members were seen wearing Personal Protective Equipment or PPE kits, working on the test pieces. samples in assigned mission-specific cabins.
“We were sent four samples from the primary contacts of the first Omicron positive case. In addition, there are about 25 samples that we have received from different international airports in passenger status. tested positive for COVID-19”, Dr. Radhakrishnan, the scientist in charge of the laboratory where the genome sequencing was carried out, told NDTV. The first Omicron case in Kerala, of a passenger returning from the UK, was confirmed by the state Health Minister on 12 December.
Genome sequencing at this hub can take up to 72 hours, and an extra day or two for bioinformatics details at full capacity.
“We have the maximum capacity to do genome sequencing for 3,000 samples per day. When we confirmed the first case, we only had eight samples. A line cell can only be used once. and can take up to 96 samples. Each flow cell costs 1.2 lakh,” explains Dr. Radhakrishnan.
The center’s lab has been working around the clock, with no days off since March 2020.
“This is a national emergency. We’ve had to pause or dedicate specific periods of time to other forms of sequencing and prioritize COVID-19 and Omicron. All are in place. [deck]”, said Dr. Radhakrishnan.
When asked if the time required to confirm Omicron through genomic sequencing is higher in India than in other countries, Dr Radhakrishnan showed the extremely compact handheld “Oxford Nanopore” – a in the three machines they use – and said, “This is very standard. There’s no other technology in the world that can do it faster than this. Because there’s no technology we use. in India is now native. So any US system is the same as the one India has or anywhere else in the world.”
.
