PGC Mindanao, in collaboration with Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Sub-National Laboratory and the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the Department of Health Region (DOH) 11, successfully sequences its first samples for SARS-CoV-2 biosurveillance using Next Generation Sequencing technology.
The 93 samples of COVID-19 cases were processed for sequencing and are now being analyzed using the bioinformatics pipeline technology. Results will be forwarded soon to the Department of Health – Epidemiology Bureau (DOH-EB).
Last February 21, 20202, 100 Extracted SARS-CoV-2 RNA Samples from the SPMC were transported by the DOH – RESU to PGC Mindanao for processing for the whole genome-sequencing.
PGC Mindanao was established through the project “Establishment of Genomics Consortium and Core Facility in the Mindanao”, with funding support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST Philippines) through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST PCHRD).
Further, the center is also a co-proponent of the program “Enhancing National Pandemic Preparedness and Response in the Philippines through Genomic Biosurveillance: Utilizing the UP-PGC Network in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” which aims to conduct SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance and inform responses throughout the Philippines.
The said endeavor is funded by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to augment the national biosurveillance efforts of the PGC Main in Diliman, Quezon City.
(This article was first published in the PGC UPMin Website on March 4, 2022)