In the UK has initiated a new project to establish a real-time system to prevent future pandemics. This groundbreaking system, the first of its kind in the world, aims to track and prevent outbreaks of infections. The project is a collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the National Health Service (NHS), utilizing Oxford Nanopore technologies.
The primary objective of this program is to rapidly identify respiratory infections and initiate treatment within 6 hours, thereby expediting the diagnostic process and enhancing treatment effectiveness. The swift analysis of pathogens is anticipated to prevent a recurrence of the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Utilizing nanopore sequencing technology, Oxford Nanopore employs nanopores in ultra-thin membranes to analyze DNA. As DNA molecules pass through the membrane, they modify the ion current, enabling real-time determination of the nucleotide sequence. The company asserts that the accuracy of its technology surpasses 99% under optimal conditions, which has been validated by independent assessments.
The technology will be deployed at 30 NHS facilities across England as part of the expansion of the metagenomic analysis program for respiratory diseases. The data collected during this research will be shared with the NHS and public health agencies to swiftly detect new diseases. Genomics England and UK Biobank will also contribute their data to the project.
Besides combating pandemics, the partnership with Oxford Nanopore will facilitate the NHS in transitioning from analog to digital systems, aligning with the Temple Plan for Modernization. The company’s technology can also be harnessed for early detection of cancer and other genetic disorders, with future prospects of screening newborns for genetic anomalies.
Although the specific timeline for the program’s launch remains uncertain, as well as the precise locations for technology deployment, it is anticipated that between 10 to 30 sites across the country will be involved.