The first case of novel coronavirus was reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan on December 31, 2019. The deadly disease has a rapid progression to other countries. So far, coronavirus has claimed lives of more than 48,000 people and has affected more than 950,000 people.
On February 26, Pakistan became the victim of coronavirus and so far, 32 people have lost their lives and more than 2,300 people have been affected across the country. Unfortunately, no vaccine of the deadly virus has been ready yet.
Earlier today, Australian scientists have begun pre-clinical testing for two potential coronavirus vaccines. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has cleared the vaccines made by Oxford University and the United States company for animal testing.
Scientists and virologists around the world including Pakistani Scientists have been racing against the clock to develop a vaccine or cure.
Let’s take an in-depth review of all the efforts made by Pakistani scientists regarding coronavirus vaccines and medical equipment.
Researches made by Pakistani scientists
The research team, under the leadership of Professor Muhammad Saeed Qureshi, is investigating genetic mutations of the local coronavirus at the Dow University of Health Sciences. The research team claims that the coronavirus is undergoing genetic changes according to local conditions.
Renowned scientist, Dr. Atta ur Rehman has informed that the strain of coronavirus spreading in Pakistan is not similar to the one that originated in China’s Wuhan.
He also said that the Chinese strain has more potent chromosomes than the Pakistani strain of the coronavirus.
Professor Dr. Javed Akram has said four study groups have been set up by the University of Health Sciences and the teams are working to find relative information regarding coronavirus.
Pakistani scientists involved in the preparation of the medicine reportedly made a breakthrough during the initial stages of the research as they identified nine compounds that could be effective in inhibiting the growth of the virus in the host cell. The research was being carried out by Dr. Atia-tul-Wahab and her team under the supervision of the ICCBS director, Dr. Iqbal Choudhary.
Inventions
Scientists at National University of Science and Technology Lahore (NUST) have successfully established Molecular Diagnostic Assays for the detection of novel coronavirus, in collaboration with Wuhan Institute of Virology China and other institutes. These testing kits will cost one-fourth of the current price for the kits used for detecting the COVID-19.
A Pakistani origin scientist Jameel Shaikh – currently working in San Diego – was the man who has developed a coronavirus testing device that detects the virus within 5 minutes.
Government Support
Sindh government has offered financial support to Pakistani scientists to develop a coronavirus vaccine in order to halt the spread. Meanwhile, Punjab government has also assured full cooperation to the experts who are trying to develop the vaccine coronavirus.
Federal Minister for science and technology Fawad Chaudhry has also formed a committee named ‘Scientific Task Force on COVID-19’ to coordinate research on coronavirus in the country.
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