Fiocruz integrates platform of genomic data on influenza and new coronavirus

Genetic sequences and clinical and epidemiological data of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Geographical and specific data of species associated with avian viruses and viruses of other animals. These contents, crucial to help national and international researchers understand more rapidly how the viruses evolve and spread during epidemics and pandemics, can be found in the international platform of genomic data, the GISAID. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 125 thousand viral genomic sequences of the new coronavirus have already been shared with specialists from all over the world.

Responsible for curating the global data submitted to the platform in the American continent time zone, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) is part of the team of partners of this initiative. The team of curators is in charge of data analysis, allowing for reliable and real-time shared information: the sequences deposited in the website are analyzed and made available online in up to 2 hours, on average.

Fiocruz specialists also contribute to developing new research tools that facilitate and improve the deposit and analysis of the genomes. “Worldwide scientific cooperation is fundamental for the rapid progress in the understanding of Covid-19 and its complications. Thanks to the data in the platform, it is possible to advance in research and development of possible vaccines and drugs, in addition to keeping diagnostic kits always up to date with the circulating genomes and maintaining surveillance of virus dispersion always alert. GISAID data must be used mainly for public health purposes”, emphasizes the Brazilian coordinator of the initiative, researcher Paola Cristina Resende, of the Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses and Measles of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz).

The platform has open and free access and promotes the implementation of collaborative projects between groups from all parts of the world. To know more, click here.