Wellcome Sanger Institute launches global hub for genomic surveillance
A global hub for genomic surveillance has been launched by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, which will work with global partners to tackle infectious diseases, including the Covid-19 virus and malaria, using sequencing.
The Genomic Surveillance Unit (GSU) will help partners develop their genomic surveillance capabilities, aiding them in generating data about disease-causing microbes in circulation and their characteristics.
By informing public health interventions, and contributing to global pandemic awareness, such information can save lives.
Prof Sir Mike Stratton, director of the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: “The Genomic Surveillance Unit is a progressive step for the Sanger Institute, enabling us to maintain our contribution to combating infectious disease through genomic surveillance activities serving public health partners around the world.
“It is critical that the lessons learned and extraordinary experience acquired during the Covid-19 pandemic are not lost, but rather used to drive forward the development of effective genomic surveillance across the globe.”
Genomic surveillance involves sequencing the genetic material of pathogenic microbes and their vectors, enabling the evolutionary changes that affect transmission, disease severity and susceptibility to treatment to be observed. Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes has been a vital tool in tracking the spread of Covid-19 and understanding the emergence of new variants.
The GSU aims to accelerate the generation of genomic data on a large scale by aiding partners in implementing scientific pipelines - from sample collection to the delivery of actionable data.
It will focus on the sharing of genomic data through easy-to-use tools and methods, and creating accessible resources that allow public health authorities to act.
Translational malaria work undertaken at Sanger, and the Covid-19 surveillance efforts, are being transitioned into the GSU as a starting point.
[Read more: Tripling size of Wellcome Genome Campus will benefit global science, says Prof Sir Mike Stratton]
John Sillitoe, director of the GSU, said: “We are passionate about working with our partners to achieve their vision for integrating genomic surveillance into their scientific and public health infrastructure.
“Ultimately, the Genomics Surveillance Unit’s goal is to leverage experience and knowledge to enable surveillance programmes to be built and used in all settings, enabling partners to obtain the data and actionable information needed to answer their pressing public health questions.”
