INSACOG explained

Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics
Type:Consortium
Logo Alt:Logo of INSACOG
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Agency Type:Consortium under Government of India
Status:Active
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Parent Department:Department of Biotechnology
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Website:dbtindia.gov.in/insacog

INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics or Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium) is the forum set up under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare by the Government of India on 30 December 2020, to study and monitor genome sequencing and virus variation of circulating strains of COVID-19 in India.[1] [2] [3] Initially it was tasked to study the virus variant Lineage B.1.1.7 earlier found in United Kingdom in December 2020.

INSACOG works as a consortium of 38[4] national laboratories for genome sequencing located in different parts of India.[5] All these 10 laboratories are required to share 5% of positive samples to INSACOG for further research and studies. A National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) nodal unit maintain a database of all samples of the new variants. Two national genomic sequencing database centers are appointed 1) National Institute of Biomedical Genomics and 2) CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology.[6] In its early research INSACOG identified virus variant Lineage B.1.617 referred to as a double mutation variant.[7] [8]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Genome Sequencing by INSACOG shows variants of concern and a Novel variant in India. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 24 March 2021. 17 May 2021.
  2. News: Top Indian virologist quits government panel after airing differences. Reuters. Krishna N. Das. 16 May 2021. 17 May 2021.
  3. News: India's Genome Sequencing Program Is Finally Good To Go – So What's the Hold Up?. The Wire. Priyanka. Pulla. 28 February 2021. 17 May 2021.
  4. Web site: INSACOG Department of Biotechnology . Government of India Ministry of Science & Technology . 24 January 2022.
  5. Web site: INSACOG Department of Biotechnology . Government of India Ministry of Science & Technology . 28 September 2021.
  6. News: 10 labs to be regional hubs for genome sequencing. The Times of India. Sushmi. Dey. 29 December 2020. 17 May 2021.
  7. News: Koshy . Jacob . Coronavirus Indian 'double mutant' strain named B.1.617 . The Hindu . 8 April 2021 . en-IN. 2021-04-19. Though these mutations have individually been found in several other coronavirus variants, the presence of both these mutations together have been first found in some coronavirus genomes from India..
  8. News: EXCLUSIVE Scientists say India government ignored warnings amid coronavirus surge. Reuters. Devjyot. Ghoshal. Krishna N. Das. 3 May 2021. 17 May 2021.