UK creates COVID-19 genome sequencing alliance for large scale analysis of the virus; Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology supports rapid sequencing capabilities in the network
The UK has formed a genome sequencing alliance, to enable rapid, broad, large-scale sequencing analysis of samples from patients testing positive for COVID-19. The network aims to sequence the virus from every patient sample that has tested positive. The resulting data will help deliver insights into how the virus is transmitted and how it evolves.
Oxford Nanopore is delighted to support participating teams across the UK in this project, including in the cities of Birmingham, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Nottingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Cardiff, Exeter and Cambridge. Nanopore sequencing can deliver a whole genome sequence of the virus in as little as 7 hours, on the portable MinION or desktop GridION devices.
The ARTIC network has been key to enabling rapid sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the UK and globally. Since releasing methods that were compatible with nanopore sequencing in January 2020, the ARTIC protocol has been used for rapid sequence generation, originally in China and now all over the world.
Oxford Nanopore’s MinION device has also been used in other viral outbreaks including Lassa Fever, Swine flu, yellow fever, and in outbreaks caused by bacterial or fungal pathogens. ARTIC’s previous development of rapid protocols and methods for viral sequencing have previously been used in multiple outbreaks including Zika in Brazil and Ebola in Guinea/DRC.
Oxford Nanopore is supporting many groups around the world in their COVID-19 genomics. A range of work is underway including whole genome sequencing, metagenomic analysis and direct RNA sequencing. If you would like more information you can contact us at the information page or read more about the community’s work here.
Read more about the UK announcement here.
Within 24 hours of starting the @NetworkArtic PCR protocol on our viral extracts for @nanopore sequencing our first sequences were up, available on GISAID and had already been analysed by Nextstrain. Incredible. @WalesMicrobiol @SmallRedOne @GenomicsWales https://t.co/2K84sD4pmr
— Tom Connor (@tomrconnor) March 7, 2020
First 2 #SARSCoV2 genomes sequenced @sheffielduni @ShefUni_IICD @FloreyInstitute on @nanopore using @NetworkArtic protocol. With @cariadmevans @greenscorpio5 @SheffieldHosp. Thanks to @SheffBioinfCore @SheffieldBRC @neuroshef for support @ISARIC4C pic.twitter.com/wWNRZVyNH3
— Thushan de Silva (@Thushan_deSilva) March 12, 2020
@CVRinfo and @NHSGGC WoSSVC have rapidly sequenced #SARS_COV_2 from Scotland’s first #Covid_19 case in <24hrs using the @NetworkArtic protocol. Sequence to be released tomorrow morning following QC. Thanks to @arambaut @Scalene @CVRGenomics @CVRbioinfo @emcat1 @The_MRC pic.twitter.com/itTc6lzc4u
— CVR (@CVRinfo) March 3, 2020
The two genomes from Wales each group the large European outbreak clade, but don't group together, suggesting separate introductions. Thanks to @SmallRedOne, @tomrconnor, @PublicHealthW, @WalesMicrobiol 2/3 pic.twitter.com/wk4SqdJ7jd
— Nextstrain (@nextstrain) March 7, 2020
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