BMC gets its own genome sequencing lab at Kasturba Hospital

Coronavirus cells under magnification intertwined with DNA cell structure. File pic

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will start a lab for genome sequencing in Kasturba Hospital. The machine for this - worth '6.5 crore - arrived in Mumbai after much delay, and the lab will start in the first week of August after initial testing. The lab will help track Covid-19 variants within two to three days and stop the spread of the virus.

Many cases of the delta variant of Covid-19 are being reported across the country. Though cases of delta were found in the city, reports from the national laboratory for genome sequencing came three to four months after they were detected. Hence the BMC decided to start its own genome sequencing lab at Kasturba hospital, Mahalaxmi.

As per the recent reports received from the National Institute of Virology at Pune, two cases of the delta variants were found in Mumbai. "Both the cases were reported in April-May. If we get the results early, more effective treatment can be provided, as well as we can contain the spread of the virus," said a senior officer from the BMC. Until now, the BMC has collected over 700 samples of suspected delta variant samples.

"The machine to be used for genome sequencing was delayed but now it has arrived in the city. We will do some testing and expect to start the lab in the first week of August," said Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner. The machine has been imported from the US and was stuck in Singapore due to the Covid restrictions.

The reports will take two to three days once the lab starts. He added that the aim is to research mutations in the long run. It is not just delta plus, but also other potential variants of the virus that may become a cause for concern. The lab's work is expected to give direction to the prevention of the spread of viruses and to formalise a treatment protocol.

What is genome sequencing?

A genome is the complete genetic information in an organism. It provides all of the information the organism requires to function. Genomic sequencing allows scientists to identify SARS-CoV-2 and monitor how it changes into new variants, and how these changes affect the characteristics of the virus.

Rs 6.5 crore
Cost of machine required for genome sequencing