Transforming genomic testing with Public Health Wales
A partnership to tackle viruses in Wales, including HIV, by applying faster DNA sequencing to mass patient testing, tracking, and mapping.
Developed by Cardiff University School of Biosciences and Public Health Wales (PHW) NHS Trust, the partnership has developed a service that brings benefits to all HIV and TB patients in Wales.
Dr Thomas R. Connor, leader of the Microbiomes, Microbes, and Informatics (MMI) research group at Cardiff University, teamed with PHW to apply genomics – the study of an organism’s genetic blueprint – to create a national HIV clinical genomic diagnostic service as part of Genomics Partnership Wales, funded by the Welsh Government.
The collaboration exploits Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) – a faster and cheaper way of sequencing RNA/DNA – by applying it to the development and adoption of faster, more accurate tests for HIV and TB that help to ensure patients are given the correct drugs.
The academic team have been able to translate their research that covers rapid, sensitive and detailed genome sequencing and analysis, to improve service delivery, increase accuracy and decrease diagnostic time, leading to improved treatment and patient management for all HIV-positive people in Wales.
Responding to a global pandemic
In addition to new genomic tests, the partnership also developed a better system for tracking the Influenza virus – providing a system that delivers one of the fastest influenza genomic flu reporting systems in the world. The approach helps the NHS in Wales to better respond during the flu season and contributes to vaccine design efforts globally.
Dr Connor is leading efforts in Wales, working with colleagues within PHW and Cardiff University to apply these same approaches to map the spread of coronavirus as part of a £20m project that was announced by the UK’s chief scientific adviser.
The COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) builds directly on the HIV and Influenza work, with the Welsh sequencing hub of COG-UK having already sequenced, shared and analysed more than 5,000 COVID-19 genomes to date. This work builds upon the successful collaboration between PHW and Cardiff University in order to respond to a global pandemic. This work is also having a real impact in Wales by providing analysis for everything from outbreak response to national tracking of the spread of COVID-19 in Wales and the UK.
Together, we can improve lives
The partnership has been able to translate their research that covers rapid, sensitive and detailed genome sequencing and analysis, to improve service delivery, increase accuracy and decrease diagnostic time, leading to improved treatment and patient management for all of Wales.
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