The UK Health Security Agency has launched a pioneering genetics test which will be used to monitor NHS patient samples and could help identify the next ‘Disease X’
An early warning DNA test is being rolled out on the NHS to detect mutating viruses which could cause the next pandemic.
The UK Health Security Agency has launched a pioneering genetics test to use on random patient samples. The world-first ‘metagenomic’ test does not have to be targeted to look for a particular type of virus but will provide a red alert for any known but unexpected pathogens which could pose a threat to Britain.
Professor Susan Hopkins, UKHSA Chief Medical Advisor said: “Genomics has been a crucial aspect of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic from the very start, and the UK’s enormous technical expertise in this area has allowed us to play a leading role in the identification and analysis of Covid-19 variants as they emerge.
“The new mSCAPE programme will allow us to use the UK’s leading genomics capability to conduct community surveillance using pathogen-agnostic sequencing data for the first time anywhere in the world, and our new initiative to share our pathogen genomic data demonstrates our commitment to our data being used to improve health globally. This is a hugely exciting development which will increase our ability to respond at speed to new and emerging pathogens and will help to ensure that we are as prepared as possible to act quickly and effectively to protect the public from future threats.”
The metagenomics Surveillance Collaboration and Analysis Programme (mSCAPE) launches today. It will scour patient samples for “known but unexpected pathogens” and will also help identify previously unknown pathogens – the so-called Disease X. Disease X is the name adopted by the World Health Organisation for a future, as yet unknown, pathogen which could cause another pandemic.
The UKHSA will collate anonymous patient samples at labs around the country to identify trends such as pathogens which are spreading rapidly or which have developed dangerous mutations. Predictions can immediately be made about drugs which could work against the dangerous pathogen before it has spread widely.
Professor Dame Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer for NHS England and Senior Responsible Officer for NHS Genomics, said: “Genomics is revolutionising the way we predict, prevent, diagnose and treat illness – whether it’s diagnosing rare conditions in children more quickly, helping personalise cancer treatments to make them more effective, or identifying people at greater risk from kidney disease. The mSCAPE programme is another great example of how the UK is leading the world in this field, and we are pleased to be able to support it through our Networks of Excellence in Severe Respiratory Infections.”
Until now scientists would have to target DNA sequencing towards particular pathogens. Metagenomic sequencing does not require scientists to know what pathogens could present in a sample. The programme is a collaboration involving a consortium including Birmingham University, Edinburgh University and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
