Metagenome sequencing is transforming pathogen surveillance

Source: The post is based on the article “Metagenome sequencing is transforming pathogen surveillance” published in The Hindu on 16^th August 2023.

What is the news?

Genome sequencing technologies have been useful in detecting the SARS-CoV-2 as the causative agent of COVID-19 as well as other diseases.

What is Genome Sequencing?

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Genome sequencing allows scientists to rapidly and accurately detect pathogens from various sources like wastewater, air, soil, and animals.

What are the different genome sequencing technologies that help in surveillance of COVID-19 and other diseases?

Metagenomics rapidly studies the virus’s genetic information, without prior knowledge of the infectious agent. It helped in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 without going into the time-consuming microbiology route with the samples.

In Nigeria, the technique helped in finding 13 viruses causing illness, discovered human blood-associated dicistrovirus 2, and linked pegivirus C to Lassa fever severity.

CovidSeq assay is another genome sequencing technology developed by scientists.

GISAID is an online repository on which scientists can store the genetic information of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This shows that scientists are using high-throughput genome surveillance activities.

Note: High throughput refers to sequencing techniques that can process a lot of DNAs simultaneously, even an entire genome all at once.

What are other areas of application of genome sequencing?

Genome sequencing helped scientists to control the mpox virus and it is now helping with avian influenza surveillance.

Recently, experts have applied genome sequencing to quickly detect lumpy skin disease in cattle and the rise of drug-resistant tuberculosis, along with other applications. Similar efforts have been suggested for Zika and dengue.