Title: Tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants in Sudan to strengthen the control of COVID-19 pandemic
Funded by: Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND)
Duration 1 January 2023 to 30 August 2023
General aim: Conduct sequencing of archived and prospective SARS-CoV-2 positive samples using MinION Nanopore sequencing method.
Specific aims:
- To sustain the sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in Sudan and contribute to the global tracking of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- To track the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants in Sudan and share information on the prevalence of known and emerging variants with the MoH.
- To establish a laboratory training program for SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in Sudan and neighbouring regions.
The study will include sequencing of 400 SARS-CoV-2 isolates from patients in Sudan using NanoPore sequencing platform to identify the circulating variants of the virus and support the ministry of health to control of Covid-19.