Variability and massive sequencing of viruses. SARS-CoV-2 as an example

Authors

  • Cristina Andrés Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR)
  • David Tabernero Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III
  • Tomás Pumarola Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR)
  • Andrés Antón Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR)
  • Josep Quer Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III

Keywords:

variability, virus, massive sequencing, NGS, diagnosis.

Abstract

One of the things that we have learned in the last two years, specifically from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, is that we cannot wall in viruses to prevent their propagation, and that the most effective way to combat them is to ensure their rapid detection and genetic characterisation. Pandemics caused by viruses have broken out in the past, we are currently experiencing such a pandemic, and sooner or later we will surely be struck by another one. The risk of new pandemics has grown in recent years, due to factors favouring their appearance such as the destruction of natural areas, the ease of long-distance travel in a matter of hours, climate change, and the increase of human concentrations and social activities in a constantly more globalised world. In this respect, massive or next-generation sequencing (NGS) has proven to be a very powerful tool that has been of help in diagnosis and in the development of vaccines, the identification and monitoring of variants, and the study of the biology of the virus. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has allowed to demonstrate the utility of NGS as well as the need to strengthen the network of sequencing laboratories. The better we are prepared, the quicker and more effective will be our response to a possible threat.

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Issue

Vol. 72 (2022)

Section

Articles

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