Research on the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus in Portugal

The dissemination of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in Portugal is being monitored by the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, I.P. (INSA), through the analysis of the genome of this virus. So far, the data collected has made it possible to analyze 1550 SARS-CoV-2 genomes obtained from positive samples of the virus collected or received by INSA. This study is part of one of the 121 projects supported by FCT under the Research 4 COVID-19 special support program, aimed at rapid implementation projects for innovative solutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main aims of the study are to identify mutational profiles of SARS-CoV-2, monitor transmission chains and identify new introductions of the virus in Portugal; predict the onset of transmission in the community and assess the impact of containment measures; determine possible associations between genetic (mutational) profiles of the virus and certain clinical manifestations (e.g. different degrees of severity of COVID-19); and improve knowledge of the genetic variability of this new virus worldwide, which will lead to better development of prophylactic (vaccines) and therapeutic measures. The data generated by the Ricardo Jorge Institute were immediately shared internationally, through the online platform Nextstrain and the GISAID repository.

Using next-generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatic analysis through the INSaFLU online platform, INSA is able to identify the complete genome sequence. These data allow us to develop an interactive dashboard (see here) that reflects an integrative analysis of the genetic diversity (phylogeny) and geotemporal dispersion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Portugal, performed using the tools of the Nextstrain project(Hadfield et al. 2018, Bioinformatics).

All the information about the development of this study is available on the page dedicated to the project.