Argentina Santa Has Tender

The Genomics and Bioinformatics group of IDICaL INTA-CONICET sequences different strains of the virus circulating in the provinces of Santa Fe Chaco and Corrientes to compare it with the strains circulating in the country and in the rest of the world. The knowledge of the mutations allows to improve the design of diagnostic tests aspects related to the transmission and the development of vaccines.With financing of 999920.- by the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation of the Nation MINCyT after the endorsement of the Secretariat of Science Technology and Innovation of the province of Santa Fe researchers from the Genomics and Bioinformatics group of the Research Institute of the Milk Chain IDICaL of double dependency between the National Institute of Agricultural Technology INTA and the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research CONICET and the National University of Rafaela UNRaf work in the Complete sequencing of the genome of strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating in the provinces of Santa Fe Chaco and Corrientes.The Genomics and Bioinformatics group of the City of Rafaela made up of Ariel Amadio Mara Florencia Eberhardt and Jos Matas Irazoqui receives the samples collected by the Central Laboratory of the city of Santa Fe to carry out the complete sequence of the genome of the different strains of the virus under a protocol designed and validated by the international ARTIC network which has generated this type of technique for viruses such as Ebola MERS SARS Influenza Zika and SARS-Cov-2 and with the MinION sequencing technology developed by Oxford Nanopore which does not require investment in equipment since it is portable and makes it possible to replicate this type of analysis in different places where it is required.So far the research group has sequenced more than 150 complete genomes of different strains of the SARS-Cov-2 virus with a phylogeographic analysis population dynamics of the viral strains in geographic time and space. The complete genomes obtained are uploaded and compared with those deposited in the GISAID Global InitiativeonSharingAll Influenza Data system which allows the evolution of the pandemic to be followed throughout the world.Dr. Ariel Amadio the researcher in charge of the project explained that the complete sequence of the virus genome allows us to see how the virus is mutating and in which places it does so. In this way we can follow its evolution and detect the appearance of new variants The work carried out by other professionals in Argentina and in the world allows us to establish comparisons and analyze the prevalence of the different strains which are the places where they circulate in order to carry out an up-to-date epidemiological surveillance since the establishment of new variants can generate another kind of difficulties . Amadio highlighted the use of the installed capacities in science and technology since our institute is dedicated to the research of the dairy chain where we usually dedicate ourselves to analyze genomes of pathogenic organisms of cows or plants. Complete programs gave us the possibility of quickly adapting our capacities to the sequencing of the genome of the different variants of the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Our work is an articulated work with the Central Laboratory of the province and with the researchers of the PAS Consortium the commitment of all parts is what makes this all really work . The project is also proposed as part of a National network led by the Gutirrez Hospital for the establishment of a local epidemiological surveillance system that also makes it possible to provide analytical elements for decision-making on health policy in the field of design of diagnostic tests of aspects related to transmission and the development of vaccines.The Secretary of Science Technology and Innovation of the province of Santa Fe Marina Baima pointed out that the Secretariat has as one of its strategic axes that of health in which we work very cross-sectionally with the Ministry of Health and with the LIF Pharmaceutical Industrial Laboratory and this project which articulates INTA CONICET and UNRaf has been providing us with central information to know through the sequencing of the complete genome of the SARS-Cov-2 virus which strains are circulating in Our province. In this sense it is one of our most strategic projects financed by COFECyT which demonstrates a fundamental dynamic of connection within the scientific sector to respond to the demands posed by the health emergency .Baima referred to the importance of the coordination of the Secretariat with COFECyT and with the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Federalization Undersecretariat of MINCyT during 2020which demonstrated the potential of working together to promote and federalize science. We really feel very supported by the Council and the Undersecretariat of Federalization and this allowed the provinces and regions to adjust resources to provide different proposals and responses that were reflected in the projects in the work in the Science and Technology Plan and in the meetings of the CRECyT Regional Science and Technology Councils where strategic projects were strengthened at the regional level that enhance the capacities of each province and guidelines were drawn for the future that consolidate our scientific technological and innovation system and ecosystem .