Siberian virologists have started researching SARS strain

Experts at the Scientific Virology and Biotechnology Centre, Vektor, in the village of Koltsovo near Novosibirsk have started researching the SARS /severe acute respiratory syndrome/ virus strain.

At the first stage of researches the development and organisation of production of test-systems to diagnose SARS will be the most important, Director General of the Centre, Academician Lev Sandakhchiyev stated at a press conference.

The scientists will also research efficiency of the current antiviral medications to combat atypical pneumonia in the cell culture. This will allow detecting functional parameters of potential medicines.

Vektor also intends to conduct fundamental research of the virus, which will allow studying its mutability as well as establishing a mechanism of its spreading.

The virus strain was delivered to Vektor from Germany on May 23rd with all possible precautions.