Türkiye uploads 100 000th genome sequence to GISAID

The National Virology Reference Laboratory of the Ministry of Health General Directorate of Public Health in Türkiye reached a milestone last week by uploading the 100 000th SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequence to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) platform, the world’s largest repository of SARS-CoV-2 sequences. 

Genomic surveillance has been a key component of the public health response throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Strengthening National Capacities Against COVID-19 project, a collaboration between the country’s Ministry of Health and the WHO Türkiye Country Office, aims to further expand and strengthen Türkiye’s national capacity for genomic sequencing. Funded by the European Union, the project equipped the National Virology Reference Laboratory in Türkiye with an additional next-generation sequencing instrument to detect SARS-CoV-2 and identify variants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a member of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) network, the National Virology Reference Laboratory in Türkiye shares genomic sequencing data on the global GISAID system. GISAID promotes rapid data sharing and offers users a publicly accessible repository of geographically and demographically representative SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing data. In terms of median days between sample collection and sequence deposition on GISAID, Türkiye ranks 6th globally, reflecting the rapid pace of the country’s data sharing.

“Türkiye is a key travel hub connecting different regions of the world and a popular tourist destination, so it is really important that we are conducting genomic surveillance and that we are sharing our sequencing data with the global health community on platforms, such as GISAID, to inform public health action around the world,” explains Dr Batyr Berdyklychev, WHO Representative in Türkiye.

The rapid expansion of genomic sequencing and the enhancement of data sharing during the pandemic highlighted the need for a comprehensive and longer-term strategy for sustaining these capacities and strengthening genomic surveillance. In this regard, Türkiye is designing a national genomic surveillance strategy, which guides expansion of these efforts, and is supporting other countries in the WHO European Region to do the same. 

‘’Colleagues from different countries also came to see and experience the laboratory works first-hand,’’ says Dr Gulay Korukluoglu, Head of the National Virology Reference Laboratory in Türkiye. “Thanks to the progress made through the project, we also had the opportunity to share our knowledge at the international level.”

“Countries in the WHO European Region can develop their national genomic surveillance strategies, learning from Türkiye’s experience, and they also receive support to strengthen their laboratory workforce through training on next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and molecular epidemiology,” says Dr Joanna Zwetyenga, Technical Officer in Infectious Hazard Management Unit at WHO/Europe. 

Genomic surveillance remains essential to monitor changes in the SARS-CoV-2 virus and identify variants of concern. As a result of these efforts and increased capacities in genomic surveillance, countries can develop better preparedness and response for future pandemics.