covid 19 Archives - USJ - 91��ý

USJ Medical Faculty Scientists Conduct Whole Genomic Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in 91��ý

Hiran Amarasekera — Tue, 23 May 2023 03:17:57 +0000

The Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit at the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, 91��ý, has successfully conducted whole genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 variants in 91��ý. This groundbreaking research provides valuable insights into the changing landscape of the virus in the country.

The “Report 60” contains the whole genomic sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 variants was released to the public on May 19, 2023 at Colombo, 91��ý by Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit.

The study involved sequencing 20 samples, including those referred from laboratories and samples collected for research purposes. The results revealed the presence of various SARS-CoV-2 variants, with the following distribution:

XBB.1.9.2: 3/20
XBB.1.9.1: 2/20
XBB.1.16.1: 2/20
XBB.1.16: 10/20
CH.1.1.1: 2/20
BN.1.2: 1/20

To provide a comprehensive overview, the research team has compiled several informative figures. Figure 1 depicts the timeline of the emergence and displacement of different variants in 91��ý, showcasing the changes in the SARS-CoV-2 variants over time. Figure 2 highlights the change in the relative frequency of Omicron sub-lineages, a variant of significant concern. Additionally, Figure 4 illustrates the sequencing of viruses carried out in 91��ý thus far, while Figure 5 presents the phylogenetic tree of all SARS-CoV-2 sequences identified in the country.To promote open access to this valuable data, the findings are available for public exploration through the link:��. Researchers, policymakers, and the general public can access this resource to further their understanding of the evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants in 91��ý.

This significant achievement highlights the 91��ý’s commitment to scientific excellence and its invaluable contributions to combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The research conducted by the Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit serves as a testament to the university’s dedication to advancing knowledge and promoting public health in 91��ý.

Click here to view the full REPORT 60

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Vaccination against COVID-19 for State Universities students and staff continues in USJP from today (March 8) to March 11.

Hiran Amarasekera — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 01:26:02 +0000

The vaccination programme will be conducted from 08th to 11th March 2022 at the Bandaranayake Hall of the University Premises from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. each day.

This programme is intended to vaccinate the booster dose and second dose for the students and staff under 30 years of age in State Universities and HEIs against COVID-19.

Administration is kindly requesting those who intend to receive the above vaccine (Booster Dose) at the premises of the 91��ý you are kindly informed to fill the Google Form link given below and submit, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and to minimize other administrative work at the vaccination centre.

Those who wish to receive the Booster Dose are requested to produce their N.I.C., the University Identity Card and the Covid-19 Vaccination card to the concerned Health Authorities at the University vaccination centres in order to receive their Booster Dose.

The second dose will also be administered to anyone who has already obtained the 1st dose. Therefore, those who have already obtained the first dose may register themselves in the above link.

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REGISTER NOW – Booster Dose for Students and Staff in State Universities and HEIs against COVID -19

Hiran Amarasekera — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Those who wish to receive the��Booster��Dose��are requested to��produce their N.I.C., the University Identity Card and the Covid-19 Vaccination card to the concerned Health Authorities at the University��vaccination��centres in order to receive their��Booster��Dose.

The second dose will also be administered to anyone who has already obtained the 1st dose. Therefore, those who have already obtained the first dose may register themselves��in the above link.

Click on the below link and schedule your appointment to get vaccinated.

Event Duration: March 8th – 11th, 2022 from 9.00am to 2.00pm
Location: Bandaranayake Hall, 91��ý, Gangodawila, Nugegoda.
To Whom: Students and Staff Members of any University.

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41 New Omicron Cases Recorded From 91��ý – Latest SARS-CoV-2 Variant Report by Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine.

admin — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 09:45:26 +0000

According to the latest SARS-CoV-2 variant report issued by the Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of the 91��ý, 41 new cases of Omicron were detected from 176 samples. Omicron is currently detected in over 100 countries including the United States, Canada, Australia India, and South Africa, etc.

Different delta sublineages were detected in the following locations. AY.28 was detected in Divulapitiya, Giriulla,Colombo, Gampaha, Matara and Mirigama. AY.104 (91��ý delta sub-lineage) was detected in Batticaloa, Colombo, Puwakpitiya, Duwulapitiyta, Galle, Gampaha, Ja Ela, Ahungalla, Kuthulgala, Matara, Madampe, Baddegama, and Thammitta. AY.106 was detected in Negombo. AY.120 was detected in Nilpathagama. AY.122 was detected in Kandy and Udugampola. AY.127 was detected in Galle. AY.1.617.2�� was detected in Awissawella, Minuwagoda, Diwulapitiya, Dompe, Kandy, Kuruwita, Colombo and Negombo while AY.43 was detected in Galle and Chilaw.

It should be noted that except Omicron,��B.1.411, 91��ýn variant,��B.1.1.25,��B.1.258,��B.1.428,��B.4, B.4.7,��B.1.1.365,��B.1.525,��B.1, B.1.1��variants are identified within 91��ý in the last year.

Figure 1: Change in the SARS-CoV-2 variants in 91��ý over time.��Figure 2: Locations of samples sequenced during the past week (3nd week of December)

Phylogenetic tree of Omicron samples in 91��ý

Figure 3: Countries reporting Omicron as of 24th December 2021.

Table 1: Number of sequences shared by each country in the SEARO region. (excluding
samples sequenced in this round)

Figure 4: Prevalence of Omicron in different countries in the world based on sequencing data
(The current round of SL data does not appear yet in this website)

Figure 5: Sequencing of viruses carried out in 91��ý so far.

Figure 6: Phylogenetic tree of all SARS-CoV-2 sequences identified in 91��ý so far.

Sequencing report 30.12.2021

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USJ Department of Immunology found Omicron variant from a Nigerian Passenger

Hiran Amarasekera — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 12:00:28 +0000

The report of whole genomic sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in 91��ý was issued on 03.12.2021 by the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the Department of Immunology Molecular and Molecular Medicine of the 91��ý. The study was carried out by USJ researchers including ��Ի��

94 samples of PCR positive passengers who arrived during the last 2 weeks,��and samples from Colombo, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Karapitiya, Trincomalee and Vaviniya districts were sequenced this week. Out of the 94 samples that were sequenced, Omicron was detected from a Nigerian passenger. All other samples were of the delta variant.

Detection of different delta sub lineages and locations:

AY.28 (91��ý delta sub-lineage): 31/93. Detected from Colombo, Gampaha, Nuwaraeliya,
Balangoda, Bentota, Kuruwita, Potuwil
AY.104 (91��ý delta sub-lineage): 43/93: Colombo, Bandaragama, Getahena, Gampaha
various places, Palindanuwara, Vavuniya, Waga, Welgama,
AY.122: Kosgama
AY.33: Kalutara
AY.4: Negombo
AY.61: Thalangama
AY.66: Puwakpitiya
B.1.617.2: Colombo, Gampaha, Trincomalee, Puwakpitiya

Sequencing report 03.12.2021

Download the PDF file : Whole genomic sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in 91��ý 03.12.2021

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Dr. Jeewadara confirms a new sub-lineage B.1.617.2. AY 104 of Delta strain of SARS-CoV-2 in 91��ý

Hiran Amarasekera — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 12:59:01 +0000

91��ý has confirmed a new sub lineage of the Delta strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, detected in the island and termed B.1.617.2. AY 104. Dr. Chandima Jeewadara, Director, Molecular and Cell Biology Unit of the 91��ý (USJ, said 91��ý now has three variants that originated in the country.

“The first one was B.411, which is a lineage of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 virus, the second is the B.1.617.2. AY 28 and this is the third one,” Dr. Jeewandara said on 19th of November 2021. “AY 28 was mainly spreading in the Western Province, but this new AY 104 variant is spreading in the North, North Central and Southern provinces.” He said out of the samples tested in the USJ laboratory, 288 were confirmed to be AY 104 variant while 479 tested positive for AY 28 variant.

“It shows us that the virus has mutated in different ways and is spreading differently in each area,” he added. Dr. Jeewandara said the samples will be sent to Hong Kong to study the transmissibility of the variant. “We do not have the technology to work out the transmissibility of a lineage,” he said.

“Even though there are mutations, they have derived from the original delta variant. So we do not expect different behavior from these lineage than from the original variant.” Dr. Jeewandara said the AY 28 lineage was observed to be spreading in May,2021 while the AY 104 lineage is believed to have started spreading from June.

All COVID-19 vaccines are still effective against the mutated lineages, Dr. Jeewandara added.

News source :

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Prof. Neelika Malavige selected as a member of WHO technical advisory committee on Covid-19

Hiran Amarasekera — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 07:37:51 +0000

was selected as a member of WHO technical advisory committee on Covid-19. WHO(World Health Organization) has established a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to advise on scientific, technical and strategic matters related to the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP). The group is composed of 10 renowned experts with a diverse range of knowledge and expertise as clinicians and researchers working on COVID-19 health products; experts in access to medicines, diagnostics, vaccines and other health products; specialists of public health-oriented intellectual property; technology transfer experts; business development experts; experts in pricing, procurement, needs estimation and/or regulation of medicines.

USJ Congratulates Prof. Neelika Malavige on the well deserved position as a member of WHO technical advisory committee, recognizing the tireless efforts in fighting Covid-19 pandemic. The 91��ý wishes her all the best for all her future endeavors.

News source :��

Read research articles of :

90 percent of the new cases in Colombo belonged to the Delta variant says Dr. Jeewandara

Over 95% individuals developed antibodies against the Sinopharm vaccine – USJ Researchers

Research on Immunological response to COVID-19 vaccines by the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, USJ

Single dose of Sputnik V is highly effective but second dose is beneficial says USJ researchers

USJ researchers found Four mutant Covid Delta variants with two new 91��ýn mutations (A701S, R24C)

Delta variant was responsible for 95.8% of Covid-19 infections in 91��ý – Allergy, Immunology Cell Biology Unit, USJ

Whole genomic sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in 91��ý issued by Dept. of Immunology and Molecular Medicine USJ

The delta variant in 91��ý assigned a new sub-lineage (AY.28)

Antibody responses declined but T cell responses remained 12 weeks after Sinopharm second dose – USJ research

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Rich student-student and lecturer-student interactions alleviate the feeling of isolation in online learning – FHSS research

Hiran Amarasekera — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 01:47:46 +0000

Like in other contexts in the world, the transition to online learning in 91��ýn universities during the pandemic was sudden and abrupt: both lecturers and students had a very limited time to prepare for the new mode of teaching and learning. A study was carried out to find out the student Satisfaction with Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic by , and from the International Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, 91��ý in collaboration with Dr. D.M.S.L.B. Dissanayake and Dr. Manjula Ranagalage from the Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University

“We found that Learner motivation; and teacher-student, student-student and student-content ��interactions had a significant impact on student satisfaction in online learning”, said Director of��International Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, 91��ý.��A study to explore the determinants of student satisfaction in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic Online Learning was conducted among ��1376 undergraduates enrolled in various courses in Humanities and Social sciences at three state universities in 91��ý. .�� This study was initiated by the��of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, 91��ý and results were published in ��,��a journal indexed in��Ի��.

Among the three variables, learner motivation was found to exert the strongest effect on students’ satisfaction, implying the crucial role self-regulated learning—characterized by motivation—plays in online learning environments. Authors write: “This finding is not surprising given that in online learning, unlike in face-to-face learning, learners are left with the additional responsibility of their learning. As a result, self-regulated learning plays an important role in its success. While motivation holds the key in self-regulated learning, self-regulated learners, in contrast to others, tend to develop an independent learning style, display self-directed behavior and have an internal locus of control of their learning. Thus, online learners are generally assumed to be self-motivated, and this makes them naturally become more satisfied with their learning.”

Furthermore, as expected, the study found that various challenges that students face in their online learning decrease their satisfaction. Nevertheless, the mere existence of challenges may not always hamper student motivation in online education as distance learners are naturally more self-resilient and motivated.

Finally, the study found that poor interaction (teacher-student; student-student; student-content) leads to decreased student satisfaction in online learning: “Even though interaction is a determinant of student success and satisfaction in any mode of learning, it seems to have extra significance in online learning. This may be because rich student-student and lecturer-student interaction can alleviate the feeling of isolation that many students are supposed to experience in online learning spaces”, said

The article can be accessed using the following link:

Download the PDF file��

Antibody responses declined but T cell responses remained 12 weeks after Sinopharm second dose – USJ research

Hiran Amarasekera — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 12:52:49 +0000

The Sinopharm is an inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, which is currently given emergency use authorization by the WHO and is the main vaccine used in many Asian and Middle East Countries. A new study was carried out to determine the kinetics and persistence of immune responses following the Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV, by investigating the immune responses in a cohort of 91��ýn individuals.

“Antibody responses declined in all age groups, especially in those who are more than 60 years after 12 weeks from the second dose, while T cell responses persisted.” Said Head, Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of 91��ý.��

USJ researchers including��Ի��from Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit, Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of 91��ý have been studying immune responses to different types of COVID-19 vaccines used in 91��ý.

Results of the current research show�� that�� while�� the�� SARS-CoV-2 specific total antibodies, and especially neutralizing antibodies and antibodies to the receptor binding domain significantly declined, the memory T cell and B cell responses persisted.

“Since the ACE2 receptor blocking antibodies (neutralizing antibodies that associate with protection) was shown to significantly decline in all age groups and especially in�� the�� elderly, it�� is�� important�� to�� carry out long term efficacy studies to assess the waning of immunity on hospitalization and severe disease in order to decide on booster doses in different populations.” said Prof. Malavige.

Download the PDF file : Persistence of antibody and T cell responses to the Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV vaccine in 91��ýn individuals.

The highlighted results of the study are available here :

90 percent of the new cases in Colombo belonged to the Delta variant says Dr. Jeewandara

Over 95% individuals developed antibodies against the Sinopharm vaccine – USJ Researchers

Research on Immunological response to COVID-19 vaccines by the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, USJ

Single dose of Sputnik V is highly effective but second dose is beneficial says USJ researchers

USJ researchers found Four mutant Covid Delta variants with two new 91��ýn mutations (A701S, R24C)

Delta variant was responsible for 95.8% of Covid-19 infections in 91��ý – Allergy, Immunology Cell Biology Unit, USJ

Whole genomic sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in 91��ý issued by Dept. of Immunology and Molecular Medicine USJ

The delta variant in 91��ý assigned a new sub-lineage (AY.28)

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The delta variant in 91��ý assigned a new sub-lineage (AY.28)

Hiran Amarasekera — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 02:05:35 +0000

USJ researchers including ��Ի�� from Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology Unit, Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of 91��ý have been carrying out sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 viruses since the onset of the pandemic. With the identification of the delta variant in 91��ý, they also detected a delta variant with several unique mutations in the spike protein (A701S, A222V, A1078S).

This delta variant with mutations has now been assigned a new lineage AY.28 and this delta variant is now names as B.1.617.2.28 91��ýn lineage. This AY.28 sub lineage that was initially detected during late May 2021, subsequently accounted for approximately 50-60% of the infections in the Western Province. Further investigations to characterize this sub-lineage is underway.

Figure 1: The cumulative prevalence of AY.28 delta sub lineage in different regions in 91��ý.

Figure 2: Locations where this particular delta variant is detected.

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Figure 2: Locations where this particular delta variant is detected.

Figure 3: The relative frequency of detection of AY.28 delta sub lineage in comparison to other delta sub-lineages in 91��ý

Figure 4: Phylogenic tree of the delta variants and sub lineages detected in 91��ý

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Figure 4: Phylogenic tree of the delta variants and sub lineages detected in 91��ý

References

B.1.617.2 Lineage with S:A701S Report. Alaa Abdel Latif, Julia L. Mullen, Manar Alkuzweny, Ginger Tsueng, Marco Cano, Emily Haag, Jerry Zhou, Mark Zeller, Emory Hufbauer, Nate Matteson, Chunlei Wu, Kristian G. Andersen, Andrew I. Su, Karthik Gangavarapu, Laura D. Hughes, and the Center for Viral Systems Biology. outbreak.info, (available at https://outbreak.info/situation-reports?pango=B.1.617.2&muts=S%3AA701S&loc=USA&loc=USA_US-CA&loc=LKA&selected=Worldwide&overlay=false). Accessed 26 September 2021.

Download the PDF file : The delta variant in 91��ý assigned a new sub-lineage (AY.28)

90 percent of the new cases in Colombo belonged to the Delta variant says Dr. Jeewandara

Over 95% individuals developed antibodies against the Sinopharm vaccine – USJ Researchers

Research on Immunological response to COVID-19 vaccines by the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, USJ

Single dose of Sputnik V is highly effective but second dose is beneficial says USJ researchers

USJ researchers found Four mutant Covid Delta variants with two new 91��ýn mutations (A701S, R24C)

Delta variant was responsible for 95.8% of Covid-19 infections in 91��ý – Allergy, Immunology Cell Biology Unit, USJ

Whole genomic sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 variants in 91��ý issued by Dept. of Immunology and Molecular Medicine USJ

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