Eight unique mutations of coronavirus found in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) has found eight unique mutations in the genome sequence of coronavirus circulating in the country.

Genomic research lab of BCSIR revealed this in a press briefing on Sunday.

Genomic research lab chief Selim Khan said, ‘We got 8 unique mutations in between 212 and 523. The mutations could not happen anywhere of the world. We need to keep an eye on whether we get more unique mutations.

He further said, ‘‘We have found the D614G coronavirus strain in every genome sequence. The study found that the coronavirus in Bangladesh has already undergone 590 changes in its genomic level and more than 273 changes in its protein level. In 95 percent of these cases, the D614-G coronavirus strain has been identified in sequencing, which we call the main cause of infection in Bangladesh.’

Putting importance of this research to invent vaccine, he said that when designing any medicine, vaccine, all the mutations have to be designed keeping in mind.

Researchers in China say about D614-G strain that the antibodies produced in bodies of coronavirus infected people, though it can inhibit different strains of the virus, but in case of the D614-G strain, it fails.

Dhaka/Hassan/AKA