With reference to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG), c...
The Government of India has launched the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG).
- The overall aim of the Consortium is to monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 on a regular basis through a multi-laboratory network. This vital research consortium will also assist in developing potential vaccines in the future.
- It comprises 10 labs namely DBT-NIBMG Kalyani, DBT-ILS Bhubaneswar, ICMR-NIV Pune, DBT-NCCS Pune, CSIR-CCMB Hyderabad, DBT-CDFD Hyderabad, DBT-InSTEM/ NCBS Bengaluru, NIMHANS Bengaluru, CSIR-IGIB Delhi, and NCDC Delhi.
- INSACOG will have a high level Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee which will provide guidance and oversight to the consortium specially for policy matters and it will have a Scientific Advisory Group for scientific and technical guidance.
- Coordinated by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) along with MoH&FW, ICMR, and CSIR, the strategy and roadmap of the National SARS CoV2 Genome Sequencing Consortium (INSACOG) has been prepared.
- Hence both statements are correct.
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With reference to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG), c...
INSACOG: Monitoring Genomic Variations in SARS-CoV-2
• INSACOG is the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia, set up by the Indian government to monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus on a regular basis through a multi-laboratory network.
• The overall aim of the consortium is to identify the genomic variations of the virus and assess their potential impact on transmission, disease severity, diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
• The consortium will also help in identifying the emergence of new variants and provide timely information to the concerned public health authorities to take necessary measures to contain the spread of the virus.
Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee and Scientific Advisory Group
• INSACOG will have a high-level Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee that will provide guidance and oversight to the consortium, especially for policy matters.
• The committee will be headed by the Secretary, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and will have representation from various ministries, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• INSACOG will also have a Scientific Advisory Group, which will provide scientific and technical guidance to the consortium. The group will be chaired by the Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and will have representation from various scientific institutions and organizations.
Significance of INSACOG
• INSACOG is significant in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as it will help in tracking the emergence and spread of new variants of the virus.
• Identification of new variants is crucial for developing effective vaccines and therapeutics and for containing the spread of the virus.
• The consortium will also help in strengthening the country's capacity for genomic surveillance and research, which will be beneficial in the long run for managing similar pandemics in the future.
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