Genomic sequencing has become an important topic in recent weeks with the reemergence of Covid-19 in Auckland, but understanding what the science is exactly and how it's helping New Zealand's response to the virus can be difficult.
Thankfully, professor Michael Plank from the University of Canterbury - a principle investigator at New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence for Complex Systems - joined TVNZ1's Breakfast this morning to break down what the science is.
"As the virus spreads, it picks up tiny little mutations," Dr Plank said.
"So when we take the genetic sequence of the virus, if we get two cases that have the same tiny mutation that tells us that those cases are linked."
Dr Plank said the science can be applied to the recent case discovered at an Auckland managed isolation facility, which is unrelated to the new cluster in the city and instead linked to a returnee from the US.
Watch the video above for Mr Plank's full explanation.
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