Daejeon Health and Environment Research Institute "Self-analysis of COVID-19 Variants... Operation of Surveillance System"

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Daejeon Health and Environment Research Institute announced on the 10th that it has secured the capability to independently analyze COVID-19 variant viruses by introducing next-generation sequencing equipment.

Analysis of COVID-19 variants is being conducted in the laboratory. Photo by Daejeon Health and Environment Research Institute

The Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) system is a technology that rapidly analyzes genome sequences by producing large amounts of parallel data.

Prior to introducing the next-generation sequencing equipment, the institute conducted personnel training, including operating whole genome analysis programs, starting from June last year.

Additionally, it prepared for equipment operation by establishing a cooperative system with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Chungcheong Regional Disease Response Center to secure the ability to analyze new COVID-19 variants.

Through this, the institute emphasized that it can now promptly respond to the regional influx of new variant viruses by independently analyzing variant viruses.

Going forward, the institute plans to continuously monitor the genetic information of the COVID-19 virus using the next-generation sequencing equipment, identify new variants and outbreaks early, and take proactive measures when infectious diseases occur in the region.

Nam Soong-woo, the head of the institute, said, “We will apply and utilize the next-generation sequencing system for all new infectious diseases, including COVID-19,” adding, “We will make every effort to prevent the spread of infectious diseases within the region.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.