JAKARTA (Xinhua): Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is mapping the genetic profiles of viruses found in wildlife traded in North Sulawesi to strengthen early detection of diseases with pandemic potential.
The project, conducted in cooperation with the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, is in its second year and focuses on genomic surveillance of viruses from the Coronaviridae, Orthomyxoviridae and Paramyxoviridae families found in bats, rodents and birds
"This project is a progressive step for BRIN to facilitate knowledge transfer and align with global research standards," Andes Hamuraby Rozak, head of BRIN's Research Organisation for Life Sciences and Environment, said on Monday.
The two sides have also validated laboratory protocols and expanded the use of next-generation sequencing technology to improve virus monitoring and characterisation.
The BRIN said the findings are expected to support the development of early warning systems for zoonotic diseases and strengthen regional health security. -- Xinhua
