Science Unlocked: publication picks from May 2026

In this monthly series, we share a selection of recent publications that use Oxford Nanopore sequencing to unlock novel insights. Spanning pathogen metagenomics, outbreak monitoring, and leukaemia classification, these studies showcase the advances in scientific research made possible by Oxford Nanopore sequencing.

At our flagship conference, London Calling, many researchers presented work that was hot off the press, and we’ve chosen a few of the highlights to share here.

Featured in this edition:

1. Rapid blood pathogen identification with nanopore metagenomics

2. Decentralised hospital infection control

3. Global drive to improve childhood leukaemia classification

Microbiology

1. Rapid diagnosis of common, undetected, and uncultivable bloodstream infections using Oxford Nanopore sequencing (The Lancet Microbe)

Each year, sepsis contributes to 11 million deaths worldwide. Delays in delivering the right antimicrobial therapy are a major factor, as current diagnostic methods can take days to provide actionable results — time many patients simply don’t have. While broad-spectrum antibiotics are often used as an immediate response, they’re not always effective, especially with the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Here, Govender et al. evaluated an Oxford Nanopore metagenomics workflow to accelerate pathogen detection and AMR prediction directly from positive blood cultures. In a study of 273 samples, this approach achieved 97% sensitivity and 94% specificity for species identification compared with routine culture. Nanopore sequencing also uncovered 19 additional infections, including some clinically significant cases that the blood cultures missed.

Crucially, our technology condensed the timeline, identifying pathogens within 3.5 hours of sample receipt — saving 10 hours compared with standard methods. Nanopore sequencing also offered actionable AMR predictions 20 hours earlier for the most frequently isolated pathogens. This could help inform timely, targeted therapy for life-threatening infections, reducing reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics and tackling critical gaps in current clinical practice. The findings underscore the potential of nanopore metagenomic sequencing to enhance diagnostic speed and precision, paving the way for improved outcomes for severe infections in the future.

Watch Kumeren Govender’s talk at London Calling 2026.

Explore our white paper on addressing the challenges of metagenomics with Oxford Nanopore sequencing, or check out our workflow overview for pathogen metagenomics.

2. Decentralised nanopore genomics reveals diverse infections but no evidence of patient-patient transmission in a New Zealand hospital (Microbial Genomics)

For opportunistic pathogens like Klebsiella pneumoniae, hospitals need rapid, high-resolution genomic data to distinguish true outbreaks from unrelated sporadic cases, helping infection prevention and control (IPC) teams act quickly and effectively. In New Zealand’s first prospective hospital-based genomic surveillance of K. pneumoniae, White et al. used the MinION device to achieve near-complete assemblies and perform first-pass analysis on-site. The MinION was chosen for its portability, which enables real-time, decentralised genomic assessment in clinical settings. This approach produced actionable data within 48 hours, compared with the days or weeks required for off-site workflows, shifting outbreak response from reactive management to proactive containment.

Across 15 months at Wellington Regional Hospital, 157 isolates were sequenced to understand baseline population structure, resistance, and virulence profiles. The findings revealed extensive genetic diversity but no evidence of patient-to-patient transmission, meaning no IPC interventions were triggered. This decentralised, real-time model offers a practical framework for routine hospital surveillance, helping hospitals to conserve resources for when they’re needed most.

Watch senior author Max Bloomfield’s talk at London Calling 2026.

Read our white paper on delivering the future of genomic pathogen surveillance with Oxford Nanopore sequencing.

Cancer research

3. Addressing the global diagnostics gap for childhood leukaemias: a global, multisite study using Adaptive Sampling (medRxiv)

An international team from the St. Jude-led DIVIA Consortium has shown how a single nanopore-based assay has the potential to transform childhood leukaemia diagnostics worldwide. Using Adaptive Sampling, Alexander et al. analysed 457 samples across diverse hospital settings in the United States, India, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. The approach achieved high concordance with current standard-of-care methods while also correctly classifying hard-to-resolve cases, demonstrating its potential to replace multiple, complex tests with one streamlined workflow.

By integrating genetic, epigenetic, and pharmacogenomic insights, nanopore sequencing could support precise risk stratification and personalised treatment decisions at a significantly lower price than short-read methods. Importantly, the study illustrates that real-time, scalable sequencing can be deployed even where resources are limited, offering a practical pathway towards a future with universal access to precision oncology.

Watch Thomas Alexander’s talk at London Calling 2026.

Oxford Nanopore sequencing offers a unique multiomic solution for cancer research and precision oncology. Download our white paper to see how you could unlock transformative cancer insights.

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