AusTrakka: Fast-tracking nationalized genomics surveillance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Tuyet Hoang, Anders Gonçalves da Silva, Amy V. Jennison, Deborah A. Williamson, Benjamin P. Howden, Torsten Seemann
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven demand for integrated genomics, resulting in fast-tracked development of AusTrakka, Australia’s pathogen genomics platform. This facilitated rapid data sharing, democratised access to computational and bioinformatic resources and expertise, and achieved national real-time genomic surveillance. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for near real-time analysis and dissemination of pathogen genomic data. In this comment, the authors describe how Australia has developed and rolled out its SARS-CoV-2 genomics platform, AusTrakka, and used it to support public health action.
Topics & Concepts
PandemicGenomicsCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)GenomeSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakComputational biologyTracking (education)Computer scienceBiologyData scienceVirologyMedicineGeneticsGeneInfectious disease (medical specialty)OutbreakDiseasePsychologyPathologyPedagogySARS-CoV-2 detection and testingSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchBacteriophages and microbial interactions