Serbia to Build Center for Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics for Monitoring Virus Mutations in Summary Procedure without Tender with China’s Help

The Serbian Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (IMGGI), together with the Beijing Genomics Institute, plans to build the Center for Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics with the support of the Government of Serbia, according to the notification about the carrying out of a negotiation procedure without a public call, announced by the Property Directorate of the Republic of Serbia.

The subject of the procurement are the works on the reconstruction of facilities within the IMGGI in Vojvode Stepe Street in Belgrade, for the purposes of the Center for Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics, which, as said, would primarily monitor the mutations, that is, the varieties of SARS-CoV-2 in Serbia.

– Considering the worrying situation when it comes to the appearance of new mutations of SARS-CoV-2 on a global level, which jeopardize the health of people and the efficiency of the existing vaccines, it is of crucial importance to monitor the occurrence and development of mutations in populations, on a large number of samples – says the explanation of the reason for awarding the contract on the construction without a tender, which cites Article 61 of the Law on Public Procurement Procedures.

It is emphasized that the center needs to be established as soon as possible, so that the state could react on time depending on the information gathered about the presence of the coronavirus varieties which circulate in the population.

The planned capacity of the sequencing, as said, is up to 1,500 complete genomes a month, depending on the epidemiological situation.

B. Petrovic

Vlada Republike Srbije

Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering

IMGGI

Beijing Genomics Institute

Government of Serbia

Center for Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics

IMGGI reconstruction

negotiation procedure without a public call

monitoring virus mutations

coronavirus

Covid 19