Long Read Sequencing for Public Health Surveillance

Advances in long read sequencing have made it easier to use genomics to analyze outbreaks and conduct broader public health surveillance. CD Genomics provides long read sequencing solutions for public health-oriented healthcare pathogen surveillance, which primarily involves the monitoring of their antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which may be transmitted horizontally or clonally.

Introduction to Public Health Surveillance

Public health surveillance is an important tool for understanding population health and informing public health decision-making. It involves the systematic collection and analysis of health-related data that can be used to identify trends and patterns, assess the effectiveness of interventions, and plan and evaluate public health programs. By focusing on community-wide prevention and holistic health, public health can improve our quality of life and reduce human suffering. Concurrent developments in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics enable genomics to sustain public health and wellness by detecting and characterizing new, emerging, and circulating pathogens. By tracking and monitoring the spread of infectious diseases and disease spread within communities, we can better understand pathogen behavior (infectiousness and pathogenicity) and map the evolution of variants. This will ultimately aid in the development of diagnostics and the design of therapeutic vaccines and treatments.

Fig. 1. A genomics-informed surveillance and outbreak response model. (Gardy et al., 2018)

Solutions Offering at CD Genomics

Although public health surveillance systems have evolved to meet the changing needs of the global population, we still significantly underestimate our vulnerability to new and old pathogens. New tools are needed for pathogen genome sequencing and epidemiological analysis and can be deployed anywhere. Long read sequencing has become a key tool for disease surveillance. CD Genomics has extensive experience in the field of genomics and has been at the forefront of using PacBio SMRT sequencing and ONT Nanopore sequencing to monitor and understand the dynamics of infectious diseases.

We are proud to offer state-of-the-art long read sequencing solutions tailored to public health needs. We are committed to protecting public health with comprehensive long read genomic surveillance solutions that provide the complete information needed to accurately characterize and track all pathogens circulating in the community. In addition, our experienced experts continuously refine and optimize sequencing protocols to meet the specific needs of public health.

Applications of Our Long Read Sequencing Solutions for Public Health Surveillance

• Tracking Antimicrobial Resistance

One of the most pressing issues in public health today is the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Traditional short-read sequencing is often unable to accurately map the location and context of resistance genes, especially when they are located within mobile genetic elements. Our long read sequencing solutions can identify the presence of known markers of antibiotic resistance or discover new ones, informing future treatment strategies.

• Pandemic Preparedness

Recent global pandemics have highlighted the importance of rapid and accurate genomic surveillance. CD Genomics offers a long read sequencing solution to advance early pathogen detection, improve outbreak response, and support research on emerging pathogens. This solution also tracks pathogen changes over time across geographic regions.

• Discovering Pathogens

Our long read sequencing can identify extremely rare or emerging pathogens that cause disease, and identify and classify pathogen strains. Helps improve accuracy and turnaround time for diagnostic services.

CD Genomics is committed to harnessing the power of long read sequencing for global health. As we move into the era of precision public health, tools that provide a more comprehensive and detailed view of the genome aid in pathogen surveillance, enabling rapid generation and dissemination of analytics to inform real-time political decision-making. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to working with you on projects of interest.

Related Services

PacBio SMRT Sequencing
Oxford Nanopore Sequencing
Microbial Whole-Genome Resequencing
Viral Whole-Genome Resequencing
Long-Read Metagenomics Sequencing
Antibiotic Resistance Gene (ARG) Analysis