A missing gene found Omicron scientists in South Africa; Know how variant hunting is done

In early November, something unique was seen in the Corona Lab of Gauteng state of South Africa. Here the experts were unable to locate a single gene of the virus. These missing genes make the spike proteins that enter and spread germs in human cells. At the same time, the area was flooded with patients complaining of headache and fatigue.

Around 15 November, 77 samples were taken from Guateng province and sequenced. After a thorough investigation, experts came to the conclusion that this is a new variant of the corona virus. Its gene was not captured because it has been mutated. The World Health Organization named this new variant B.1.1.529, ie Omicron. It was declared a worrying variant on 26 November. Since then this new variant has been found in more than 15 countries.

Variant hunting means the process of discovering new variants of the virus is also very exciting. Before knowing this we have to understand Genes, Genomes and Genome Sequencinq

What are genes?

The structure of every living being in the world is determined by its genes. Many times people must have told you that your face resembles that of your mother or father. This means that some genes in your body match those of your parents.

Some major changes were seen in the virus during genome sequencing in South Africa. On November 4, Alicia Vermeulen, a junior scientist at the Lancet, gathered preliminary information from Omicron. He found something wrong with the single positive test and informed the manager.