News > The National Award for the Best Research in the Field of Covid-19 in Iran Was Granted to the Genetics Research Center at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences

The National Award for the Best Research in the Field of Covid-19 in Iran Was Granted to the Genetics Research Center at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences

Prof. Najmabadi, Head of the Genetics Research Center announced that Genetic Research Center of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences from early phase of the outbreak of coronavirus in the country decided to study and identify the transmission of the virus to Iran, its pathogenesis, and use of effective vaccines and treatments by collecting different species of Covid-19 virus.

Prof. Najmabadi, Head of the Genetics Research Center announced that Genetic Research Center of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences from early phase of the outbreak of coronavirus in the country decided to study and identify the transmission of the virus to Iran, its pathogenesis, and use of effective vaccines and treatments by collecting different species of Covid-19 virus.

The study funded by Deputy of Research of the Ministry of Health was conducted by providing 50 whole-genome sequences of viral samples from different provinces in Iran and examined with advanced and new generation gene sequencing techniques. The analysis for the origin, transmission dynamics and genetic diversity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus represented at least two introductions of the virus into the country, constructing two major clusters defined as B.4 and B.1*.

According to Prof. Najmabadi, this study is unique in its findings, its advanced techniques of sequencing the whole genome, and availability of the samples of the virus from the very beginning of the outbreak. The study is published as an original article titled “SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Iran: The dynamics of the epidemic and evidence on two independent introductions” in the “Transboundary and Emerging Diseases” journal.

13:29 - 2021/10/30  /  20846  /  952