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KwaZulu Natal's Research, Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) and the Big Data Flagship Program of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has a multi-disciplinary team of world-renowned experts which mainly focuses on analysis and control of viral outbreaks and genomic analysis.

KRISP have produced five of the seven COVID-19 viral genomes in the country, which clearly showed how the virus was introduced into South Africa.

'We have access to large computer clusters and state-of-the-art laboratories with DNA high-throughput sequencers and automated DNA extraction robotic equipment'

KRISP is now working with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) to help them to map the epidemic in South Africa.' said Professor Tulio de Oliveira, Director of KRISP.

KRISP has also partnered with the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Big Data Analysis at UKZN, Prof. Francesco Petruccione to put together a team with more than 20 researchers, including:

- Computer scientists,

- Bioinformaticians,

- Infectious diseases clinicians,

- Mathematicians,

- Theoretical physicists

- Quantum computing scientists

‘Our government has already used our results to show that South Africa is flattening the curve. Our graphs were featured by the Health Minister and the Chief Scientific Officer of South Africa's COVID-19 response committee in their technical presentation to the nation ,' added de Oliveira.

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Click on the image or in this link to access all KRISP COVID-19 Scientific news

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News date: 2020-05-05

Links:

https://nextstrain.org/ncov/global?f_country=South%20Africa