Ajay Karpur on metagenomic sequencing

Abstract

This article discusses the lack of research into sequencing technologies that may help identify novel pathogens early and prevent pandemics. The author proposes metagenomic sequencing as a potential early warning system for emerging pathogens. Metagenomic sequencing is a pathogen-agnostic technology that can identify all genetic material in a sample, making it a valuable tool for detecting novel pathogens in clinical, sentinel, and environmental contexts. By driving down the cost and turnaround time of metagenomic sequencing, it can become a ubiquitous technology, leading to the deployment of an early warning system for emerging pathogens. – AI-generated abstract.