Ochsner Health and BioInfoExperts Complete First Genomic Sequences of COVID-19 From New Orleans

Scientists from UF Innovate | Sid Martin Biotech startup BioInfoExperts LLC (BIE), a company that provides connected services and technologies related to detecting and monitoring pathogens in communities and the health care industry, and Ochsner Health, have completed the first whole-genome sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus from the New Orleans area. By breaking down the virus to its most basic building blocks, researchers are one step closer to understanding viral spread across the state. One additional sequence originating from Baton Rouge has been released by the Centers for Disease Control.

Phylogenomic analysis revealed that the New Orleans and Baton Rouge genomes are closely related. The Louisiana genomes also group with other genomes mainly derived from the Northwest United States, highlighting the potential role of travel in the spread of COVID-19.

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