Volume 30, Supplement—October 2024
SUPPLEMENT ISSUE
Articles
Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Consortium Approach to Genomic Surveillance
Table
Global Emerging Infections Surveillance program strategic activities for developing and maintaining genomic surveillance capabilities
| Strategy | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Consortium |
Forming a group of NGS and bioinformatics subject-matter experts and well-established DoD laboratory partners led by an experienced program office |
Ensures that genomic surveillance remains a priority for DoD |
| Tiered framework |
Development of a 3-tiered strategic framework for public health investments in sequencing and bioinformatics within DoD |
Prioritizes limited resources to maintain (or expand) genomic surveillance capabilities |
| Coordination meetings |
Regular meetings for GEIS program, DoD, and non-DoD stakeholders |
Provides better coordination across a diverse set of stakeholders |
| Funding |
Leveraging diverse DoD and US government funding streams from public health to biodefense, biosecurity, and pandemic response(s) |
Maintains genomic surveillance capabilities |
| Routine assessments |
Continuous assessment of NGS and bioinformatics capabilities through a variety of assessment tools (e.g., site visits, structured/unstructured surveys, and proficiency testing exercises) |
Provides “ground truth” or validation of capabilities |
| Appropriate interventions |
Deployment of interventions (e.g., equipment, protocols, training, and reach back testing) to address identified gaps |
Maintains genomic surveillance capabilities and equipment/personnel readiness |
| Tracking products |
Tracking of genomic surveillance products (e.g., genomes produced/shared, publications, presentations, protocols developed, and technical assistance provided) |
Demonstrates return on investments in genomic surveillance and potential effects on public health |
| Communication with leadership | Providing senior leadership with regular updates on findings and impacts from genomic surveillance | Improves public health decision-making |
*DoD, Department of Defense; GEIS, Global Emerging Infections Surveillance; NGS, next-generation sequencing.
1These authors contributed equally to this article.
Page created: October 30, 2024
Page updated: November 11, 2024
Page reviewed: November 11, 2024
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