The research work is coordinated by João Paulo Gomes from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA) and aims to determine the mutational profiles of SARS-CoV-2 for the identification and monitoring of transmission chains of the new coronavirus, as well as identification of new virus introductions in Portugal, explains a note from the Ricardo Jorge Institute released on Tuesday.
The initiative seeks to respond to the guidelines of health authorities and the international scientific community to carry out studies focused on the genome of the new coronavirus.
It will also make it possible to establish the beginning of transmission in the community and gauge the effectiveness of the containment measures.
Another purpose of the investigation is to determine possible associations between mutational profiles of SARS-CoV-2 and different degrees of disease severity (Covid-19).
The study will also make it possible to determine the degree of genetic variability of SARS-CoV-2 antigens (virus proteins that induce a response in our immune system) “with a possible impact on the development of prophylactic measures (vaccines) and to determine the degree of genetic variability. of coronavirus proteins that are targets of antiviral drugs, with possible impact on the development of therapeutic measures “, says the note from the Ricardo Jorge Institute.
In the current research on cures, one hundred genomes of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from positive samples collected in various parts of Portugal were analyzed.
