The ARTIC-2 project will develop the underlying technology for the surveillance of emerging pathogens around the world. ARTIC-2 will work alongside the Africa CDC, Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative and the WHO International Pathogen Surveillance Network to ensure that processes can then be rolled out worldwide.
Genomic surveillance is a powerful tool in the fight against infectious diseases. By analysing the genetic makeup of pathogens like viruses or bacteria, scientists can track the spread of outbreaks and understand their evolution over time. This information can help public health officials predict future outbreaks, develop targeted treatments, and implement effective control measures. It also aids in tracing the source of an outbreak and understanding how it has been transmitted between different populations. Easy access to genomic sequencing will enable public health laboratories around the world to respond more quickly and effectively to outbreaks of new and emerging viruses as well as better understand the mutations that occur randomly which lead to immune evasion or increased resistance to treatments.
A key element of the ARTIC-2 programme will be the continued development of a low-cost laboratory protocols and equipment that significantly reduce the cost of sequencing. The team are focused on reducing the cost of sequencing to under £10 per sample, reducing costs by focusing on open-source methods and reducing the reliance on expensive proprietary equipment and reagents. Lower costs allow more labs to perform sequencing where it is badly needed such as in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and the global south.
The project will also improve the way in which data is shared between researchers through a new initiative called Pathoplexus. Better data sharing can significantly improve outbreak response and public health decision-making as it allows for more accurate monitoring and tracking of disease transmission, enabling early detection and control efforts. The team also aims to rationalise the approach to develop a knowledge engine that will link all aspects of existing processes and tools with new learning to provide a universal and global toolkit for surveillance of pathogenic threats.
Professor Elijah Songok, the acting Director General at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), said: 'KEMRI is at the forefront of the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies to improve health. We saw the impact genomic surveillance during the COVID 19 pandemic, and this research provides a much-needed tool in ensuring we are adequately equipped in identification of emerging pathogens and the continued efforts in the fight against infectious diseases.'
Professor Nick Loman, Professor of Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics at the University of Birmingham and lead researcher for ARTIC-2, said: 'ARTIC-2 will help to realise the ambition that any laboratory, anywhere in the world could access affordable, high-quality genomic sequencing for their work. During the global pandemic, sequencing was one of the most important tools at our disposal to understand how the coronavirus was changing to help inform development of new treatments and vaccines as well as public health policies. With funding from Wellcome to develop ARTIC-2 we can develop a universal, global toolkit and learning platform that means any endemic virus or pathogen around the world can be sequenced quickly and cheaply.'
Dr George Githinji, Head of Bioinformatics at the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, said: 'The impact of genomic surveillance has yet to be fully realised in LMIC settings. The Programme has shown how we can potentially use sequencing as a tool to fight disease outbreaks and provide timely interventions. Our work with the Public health Laboratories in Kenya has shown how useful it is to ensure capacity building of public health teams to ensure that this technology translates to real life solutions for health improvement”.
Dr Placide Mbala Kingebeni, National Institute of Biomedical Research in the Democratic Republic of Congo and co-researcher on the project said: 'The ARTIC-2 initiative represents a major leap forward in our ability to detect and respond to infectious disease threats in real time. By expanding genomic surveillance beyond high- consequence viruses to include endemic and emerging pathogens, we are strengthening our capacity to act swiftly and effectively in the face of new outbreaks. This funding will enable us to build a more robust and adaptable response system; one that is accessible, cost- effective, and capable of guiding public health action where and when it is needed most.'