The cases of the new variant of the corona virus, Omicron, have started increasing in India. The claims being made in research or studies about Omicron are very worrying. According to research conducted at Oxford University, Omicron is effective against weak antibodies made from two doses of the vaccine. Experts are advising to be vigilant to protect against corona. However, it is worth knowing how to detect this new Omicron variant of the corona virus. One technique for detecting Omicron variants is genome sequencing. This technique has been in discussion for many days, but there is a process to find out what is genome sequence and how to know that a corona infected person is suffering from Omicron variant. By detecting the corona variant, efforts can be made to avoid the risk of infection accordingly. Let us know the complete process of locating Omicron.
According to Dr SK Sarin, Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Science, just as the body is made up of DNA, infection is also made up of DNA or RNA. Corona virus is made of RNA.
What is Genome Sequencing
Genome sequencing is a technique by which the genetic information of RNA is revealed. The genome sequence describes what the virus is like and how it is attacking and multiplying. First of all, corona virus test is done. In this RT-PCR sample is tested in BSL 3 lab. From there, RNA is isolated from this sample. Genome sequencing is the screening process of RNA samples. In which RNA is kept at a temperature of 80 degrees. Then the process of RNA processing is done by bringing the sample to the Genome Sequencing Lab.
RNA is converted into DNA
During the process of RNA processing in the Genome Sequencing Lab, RNA is converted into DNA. This is due to the conversion of it into DNA. Actually, RNA reacts quickly, due to which it is not possible to do any test on RNA. In such a situation, to convert into DNA, it is put in the PCR machine at minimum temperature and then sent for fragmentation.
Fragmentation is a process in which DNA is broken down into smaller fragments. Because of the length of the DNA sample, it cannot be sequenced, so it is necessary to fragment it. In the process of fragmentation, each sample is tagged by name.
Analyzer machine checks the quality of the sample
For sequencing, the sample is put in the analyzer machine. Here the quantity and quality of the sample is known. If all is found correct, the sample is sent for further processing. Putting the sample in a machine and mixing it with many chemicals. The entire sequencing process takes place in this machine. From here it is known which variant of the virus is in the sample.
