The collaborative culture embodied by researchers, pathologists and clinicians at NSW Health Pathology’s public health pathogen genomics service has been vital in the fight against COVID-19.
Cutting-edge whole genome sequencing equipment, future-focused infrastructure and elite digital bioinformaticians have turned translational research into a reality thanks to $2.4 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Framework for New Health Technologies and Specialised Services in 2018.
The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in late January and within days, the multidisciplinary team had provided early pathogen sequences direct from patients, uploaded these onto the international GISAID database, grown the live virus and mapped its whole genome.
The team has sequenced the whole genome of over 840 positive samples and discovered 49 genomic clusters responsible for 91% of cases.
Transcript - Unlocking the puzzle of COVID-19 transmissions
