The Corona Virus Control and Control Center announced the registration of the genome sequence of the emerging corona virus, in a medical examination, the first of its kind in the UAE, and this sequence of the virus was successfully recorded from a patient in Dubai by researchers at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences.
This discovery is an essential pillar, supporting efforts to achieve advanced levels in dealing with patients, and finding the best possible ways to treat them, by providing an in-depth and scientific understanding of the transmission of the epidemic and how it evolves and spreads. It contributes to achieving the vision of the Control and Control Center to combat the Corona Virus, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, and aims to ensure the compatibility of the work of health care institutions and coordination with various stakeholders from the government and private sectors in the government of Dubai , To remedy the "Covid-19" outbreak.
The director of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences and the head of the center, Dr. Amer Ahmed Sharif, stressed that scientific research is a very important element in developing plans and strategies of the center, to combat this emerging virus. He said: "We are fortunate to have academic institutions that can cooperate with various other sectors in Dubai to combat (Covid-19)."
Genome sequencing has become an increasingly important tool for studying disease outbreaks, and the genome of the virus that causes "Covid-19" (known as SARS-CoV-2) consists of about 30 thousand bases or genes, and many countries have started recording the genome sequences of the virus from Patient samples.
As the virus spreads and continues to reproduce, small changes in its genetic material occur, and recent studies on the virus that causes Covid-19 indicates that these genetic changes, known as mutations, occur on average every two weeks. By studying the genetic sequences of the virus and minor changes over time through several patient samples, scientists can better understand how the virus has spread, which can also help with the procedures and measures needed to control the pandemic.
The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, member of the Emirates Scholars Council and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Control and Control Center, Professor Dr. Alwi Sheikh Ali, pointed out that «this discovery highlights the vital role of science and the scientific community in enhancing our ability to combat emerging diseases, it is an important first step towards a more comprehensive study In cooperation with our colleagues at the Dubai Health Authority and the genome center of the Jalila Children's Hospital, we aim to record the genome sequences of viral samples from 240 patients (COFED-19), of different age groups and at different time periods in this pandemic. We will also collect information about the severity of the disease in patients, which will help us understand whether different strains of the virus are associated with different levels of disease severity.
Expert research team
The study was led by an experienced research team, from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Health Authority, Al Jalila Children's Hospital and other local universities. The team includes experts in virology, epidemiology and public health, genetics and clinical research. The team is working on other research questions, related to "Covid-19".