Context: Recently, the government has launched the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG).

About Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG)

• INSACOG is a consortium of ten regional laboratories, identified by the Union government.

Main Objective: To monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 on a regular basis through a multi-laboratory network by: -

• Establishing a sentinel surveillance for early detection of genomic variants with public health implication.
• Determining the genomic variants in the unusual events/trends (super-spreader events, high mortality/morbidity trend areas etc.)
• The states will send Covid-19 positive samples to the INSACOG for genome sequencing to detect the new coronavirus variant that has emerged in the United Kingdom recently.
• Genome sequencing is figuring out the order of DNA nucleotides, or bases, in a genome.
• Knowledge generated through this vital research consortium will also assist in developing diagnostics and potential therapeutics and vaccines in the future.