research
Emerging dominant strains of the coronavirus are a cause of concern as they impact the course of the pandemic, prompting scientists to track the mutation patterns of the virus closely. In this collaborative study, an analysis of the SARS-CoV‑2 global genomic database revealed the trends of point-mutations occurring in the virus.
Uploading scientific studies to preprint servers before sending them off to journals for peer-review has become a standard practice in the physical and mathematical sciences. However, biologists have been slow in embracing the trend. In this article, Divya examines the advantages offered by as well as the risk associated with the widespread use of preprints during the time of the pandemic.
विषाणूंच्या संसर्गावर उपचार करणे का कठीण आहे, यामागील एक महत्त्वाचे कारण म्हणजे अनेक विषाणूंमध्ये होणारे उत्परिवर्तन. याद्वारे विषाणूंचा काही वेळा मनुष्याच्या रोगप्रतिक्षम संस्थेपासून बचाव होऊ शकतो, तसेच त्यांच्यात औषधांना रोध करण्याची शक्ती विकसित होऊ शकते. या लेखात, कोविड-19 चा कारक विषाणू सार्स-कोवी-2च्या जीनोममध्ये जगात जी उत्परिवर्तने घडून आली आहेत, त्यांसंबंधी वैज्ञानिकांनी संकलित केलेल्या माहितीवर नजर टाकलेली आहे.
With improved strategies to fight, prevent, and treat COVID-19 being the need of the hour, many Indian institutes and universities have redirected their research activities towards meeting this challenge. Suchibrata provides a glimpse into how various researchers at one such institute, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, are contributing to this effort through innovative research solutions.
One of the reasons why viral infections can be difficult to treat is the high mutation rate displayed by many viruses, which can sometimes allow them to evade our immune systems and develop resistance to drugs. In this article, Shivani looks into the evidence gathered by scientists around the world on mutations in the genome of SARS-CoV‑2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
In order to find a potential cure or vaccine for COVID-19, it is necessary to grow the novel coronavirus in large quantities in safe and contained laboratory settings. In the last few months, institutes around the country, including CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, and National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, have joined the effort to grow the virus. Somdatta Karak from CCMB provides us with a first-hand peek inside one such laboratory.
The author describes the connection between COVID-19 and loss of sense of smell and taste in some patients.