UK launches whole genome sequence alliance

The government has backed the UK’s leading clinicians and scientists to map how coronavirus spreads and behaves by using whole genome sequencing.

COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium, comprised of the NHS, Public Health Agencies, Wellcome Sanger Institute, and numerous academic institutions, will deliver large scale, rapid sequencing of the cause of the disease and share intelligence with hospitals, regional NHS centres and the government. Through a £20 million investment, the consortium will look for breakthroughs that help the UK respond to this and future pandemics, and save lives.

Samples from patients with confirmed cases of COVID-19 will be sent to a network of sequencing centres. The Wellcome Sanger Institute will accordingly collaborate with expert groups across the country to analyse the genetic code of COVID-19 samples circulating in the UK and in doing so, give public health agencies and clinicians a unique, cutting-edge tool to combat the virus. Scientists can then monitor changes in the virus at a national scale to understand how the virus is spreading and whether different strains are emerging.

Sir Patrick Vallance, the government Chief Scientific Adviser, said: “Genomic sequencing will help us understand COVID-19 and its spread. It can also help guide treatments in the future and see the impact of interventions. The UK is one of the world’s leading destinations for genomics research and development, and I am confident that our best minds, working as part of this consortium, will make vital breakthroughs to help us tackle this disease.”