Noman Mosharef :
The coronavirus has mutated 4,604 times in the country so far. Of these, 34 are completely new genetic mutations found in Bangladesh, but not in any other country. The most variants of covid-19 have been found in Dhaka, Chattogram and Chandpur area.
This information published in a Netherlands base Elsevier Journals were prepared by 10 researchers from five institutions including University of Dhaka, Chattogram and Monash University of Malaysia.
The most diversified variants have been found in Chattogram region which was similar to the Middle East, Europe, USA and Australian genome sequences.
Meanwhile, the coronavirus infection rate has increased eight per cent in 20 days in the country. The hospitals are facing more pressure to handle sudden increased Covid-19patients. In addition, UK and South African variants’ have been found in the country.
The research has been done headed by Adnan Mannan, Associate Professor and Mahbub Hasan, Department of Genetic Engineering, University of Chittagong, Rasel Das from University Of Science & Technology Chattogram (USTC).
The research supervised by Dhaka University teacher SM Mahbubur Rashid and Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University teacher Junaid Siddiqui. The research data analyzed by Monash University Malaysia researchers Hamid Hossain and Nazmul Hasan and Chittagong University students Asma Salauddin, Rasheduzzaman and Mehedi Hasan.
However, the researcher said, the deadly covid-19 has been mutated more than 4600 times in between April 2020 to December 2020. In the research 34 completely new mutations have been found in the genome sequences of 371 samples. Researchers have named it ‘Bangla Mutation’.
Adnan Mannan, Associate Professor, Department of Genetic Engineering, University of Chittagong and also the leader of the research team said “We have so far found 34 unique mutations in Bangladesh, Which were not yet found anywhere else in the world”.
He said, we have named it ‘Bangla Mutation’.
Genetically modified virus samples need to be tested in a lab now, he added.
The unique mutations in the country are regional. Some genetic changes have been found only in certain districts or regions. Three specific genetic changes have been seen in Dhaka. Similarly, different mutations have been found in Chattogram, Chandpur, Barishal, Jessore, Moulvibazar and Mymensingh.
There is more possibility to spread rapidly any new variants as there are more unique mutations. As a result, it is important to sequence area-based genomes.
Studies have shown that powerful G-614-D’s mutations are 98 percent.
Meanwhile, experts have suggested testing the effectiveness of the vaccine against new genetic mutations in the covid-19 in Bangladesh.
