Nusantaratv.with– Scientists have developed application a new smartphone that can analyze the genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, within minutes.
Described in the journal Communications Biology, the app, called ‘Genopo’, makes genetic material more accessible to remote or under-resourced areas, as well as next to hospital beds.
“Not everyone has access to the high-power computing resources needed for DNA and RNA analysis, but most people have access to smartphones,” said Ira Deveson of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Australia. .
“Rapid and real-time genomic analysis is more important today than ever, as the primary method for tracking the spread of the coronavirus. Our app makes genome analysis more accessible, literally putting technology into the pockets of scientists around the world, ”said Deveson.
The researchers tested Genopo on raw sequence data of virus samples isolated from nine Sydney patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.
They extracted and amplified viral RNA from swab samples, sequenced amplified DNA with the MinION sequencer device and analyzed the data on smartphones.
The Genopo application took an average of 27 minutes to determine the complete SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence from the raw data, which the researchers say opens up the possibility to perform genome analysis at the point of care, in real time.
The researchers also showed that Genopo could be used to profile DNA methylation – modifications that change gene activity – in human genome samples.
“It represents a flexible and efficient architecture that is suitable for running many popular bioinformatics tools and accommodating small or large genomes,” Deveson said.
“We hope this will make genomics more accessible to researchers to unlock information in DNA or RNA for the benefit of human health, including in the current pandemic,” added Deveson.
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