Authors: Elias Visontay@EliasVisontay

What is genomic sequencing?

Genomic sequencing analyses the virus sample taken from a diagnosed patient and compares it with other cases.

Prior to Covid-19, genomic sequencing has been used in Australia to trace the source of outbreaks of food-borne bacteria and hospital infections.

After a Covid-19 test (which gathers saliva from the back of the throat and nose) returns a positive result, the swab used goes through several steps to separate the RNA molecules from mucus proteins so they can be captured, then converted into DNA that can be read.

For More Information: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/05/genomic-sequencing-testing-coronavirus-what-is-it-how-used-australia-victoria-melbourne-covid-19-clusters-hotspots-outbreak