The University of Sri Jayewardenepura is one of the leading laboratories in Sri Lanka, which is carrying out diagnostics for COVID-19.
Currently several strains of the SARS-CoV2 virus are circulating in the world and some strains are thought to be more virulent than others.
As infected patients came to Sri Lanka from all over the world, the team of scientists at the Centre for Dengue Research at the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit have sequenced the viruses in Sri Lanka.
This is the first time whole genomic sequencing of viruses has been carried out in Sri Lanka. In all previous instances, when virus sequencing was required, samples have been sent overseas for this purpose. Therefore, the scientists at USJ have taken a gigantic step forward, by initiating whole genomic sequencing in Sri Lanka and providing invaluable data regarding the virus strains here.
The research team was led by Prof Neelika Malavige with the participation of Dr. Chandima Jeewandara and other research scientists attached to the Faculty of Medical Sciences at University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
According to the data four SARS-CoV2 virus strains are circulating among Sri Lankan Covid-19 infected patients.
(Sri Jayawardenapura University)
