Quarantine Headquarters for Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock announced that it has developed an entire genome analysis technology for “chickenpox virus” using the latest next-generation sequencing.
It is the first in the world to analyze the entire 21-week gene sequence of smallpox virus isolated from chickens. Whole genome analysis refers to a technique that comprehensively studies the genetic factors for disease and drug reactivity.
Chickenpox virus belongs to the same family as monkeypox virus and has the largest and most complex particle of animal viruses known to date. It causes skin lesions such as rashes, pustules and scabs in animals, but does not infect humans.
The Quarantine Headquarters research team decoded the entire gene sequence of each of the 21 varicella virus strains and compared and analyzed 260 unique genes.
Through this, he was the first in the world to identify that there is a difference in genotype depending on the region and pathogenicity of the chickenpox virus, which is known to be genetically identical.
In addition, it provided a scientific basis for the development of vaccines for each genotype in addition to existing vaccines, which were all of a single genotype.
Kwon Yong-guk, head of the Aviation Diseases Division at Quarantine Headquarters, said: “This study achieved momentous results by answering many questions that intrigued us, such as the size of genes, genetic characteristics and pathogenic factors. It is expected to greatly help strengthen and control farmers’ diseases ”.
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