Senior Research Fellow at the Noguchi Medical Research Institute, Dr. Kofi Bonney has revealed that information gathered from sequenced genomes of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic can lead to a possible cure for the virus.
READ MORE: COVID 19: 17 recoveries, 8 fatalities in Ghana
He made this revelation in an interview on Happy 98.9FM’s Happy Morning Show where he said, “The virus currently in Ghana is the same as Wuhan’s and it is the same virus circulating in America. This finding will help in vaccine production. The international community will know the type of virus in Ghana and it’ll keep them informed and help in the production of a vaccine to rid us of the virus.”
According to him, the sequencing was done to compare the genetic composition of the strands of the virus from 15 confirmed cases in Ghana. He disclosed that the 15 which were imported cases did not all come from one country and the results obtained showed that the virus had not changed over time and was the same as the Chinese strand.
Samples analyzed were taken from two travelers, who arrived in the country from the UK, one from Norway, one from Hungary, one from India, another who arrived from the US through UAE. Nine samples were also taken from individuals with no travel history, who are believed to have contracted the virus locally.
Dr. Bonney made known that such a result was promising and pointed in the direction of a possible cure in no time.
READ MORE: COVID-19: University of Ghana, Noguchi scientists obtain data to enhance contact tracing
Scientists at the University of Ghana have obtained critical data about the genetic composition of the COVID-19 strains in Ghana. The data would help scientists gain a comprehensive understanding of the variations of the virus that are present in the country.
A statement issued by the University’s Public Affairs Directorate on Saturday said the feat was attained by scientists at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR – College of Health Sciences) and the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP – College of Basic and Applied Sciences) at the University.
It said the success achieved was a significant milestone in Ghana’s response to the pandemic, as it would strengthen surveillance.
It explained that Genome sequencing allows for the compilation of the most comprehensive information about an organism‘s genetic makeup.
Using advanced next generation sequencing methods, scientists are able to track and compare viral mutations to understand the origins of imported strains and to discover if any novel strains are emerging locally.
By: Joel Sanco