MIAG-AO, Iloilo – The Philippine Genome Center (PGC) Visayas based here is expecting the arrival of a series of Next Generation Sequencers within the fourth quarter of this year.
The equipment will allow the facility to conduct whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 for the local detection and biosurveillance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) variants within the region.
Early this month, with the goal of making platforms for genomics and genetics research more accessible to the researchers of the Visayas, the center received the first of several sequencers.
The facility is currently housed at the Regional Research Center of the University of the Philippines Visayas here.
The Applied Biosystems SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer is capable of carrying out Sanger sequencing and fragment analysis.
The said equipment will be used for the center’s collaborative research undertakings related to gene discovery, population genetics, and species identification among other things.
Researchers at PGC Visayas are currently developing protocols for the characterization of the spike protein sequence of SARS-CoV-2 using the said platform.
The PGC Visayas was established through the support of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development and University of the Philippines System. (UPV/PN)
