A group of Bangladeshi researchers claimed to have discovered a new variant of coronavirus in the country.
The new variant, which continues to mutate like influenza virus, has similarities with a variant found in South Africa, the researchers said.
Scientists from Gono Bishwabidyalay, Jahangirnagar University (JU), and Brac University took part in the research.
They announced revealing the complete genome sequence of the variant at a view-exchange meeting with journalists at Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital in the city's Dhanmondi area on Monday.
Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, founder and trustee of Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK), Dr Mohib Ullah Khondoker, Vice Principal of Gonoshashthaya Somajvittik Medical College, and Prof Brig Gen (Retd) Mamun Mostafi, Head of Nephrology - GK, attended the programme, among others.
Nihad Adnan, Associate Professor at JU Faculty of Biological Sciences, made a brief presentation on the new virus variant.
Gonoshasthaya RNA Molecular Diagnostic and Research Centre conducted the genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2, based on clinical samples. The sequence data has been submitted to various international platforms, like - GISAID and NCBI database.
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