Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health challenge, with projections indicating it could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050 if not effectively managed. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized microbiology, significantly enhancing the precision and speed of pathogen and AMR detection. Targeted NGS, which zeroes in on specific genetic regions linked to pathogens and resistance genes, offers detailed genetic insights essential for accurate identification and characterization. This approach provides a cost-effective and streamlined alternative to whole-genome sequencing by focusing on genomic regions of known significance to pathogens and AMR. The process involves extracting DNA or RNA from clinical samples, amplifying and enriching predefined genetic regions, and sequencing them using high-throughput NGS platforms. Advanced bioinformatics tools then analyze the data, enabling precise pathogen identification and AMR gene detection with high sensitivity and specificity. Despite its advantages over traditional diagnostic methods, such as higher resolution and rapid turnaround times, there remains a need for further research to optimize and validate targeted NGS techniques, particularly in clinical settings for timely infection diagnosis and resistance monitoring.
This research topic aims to address the urgent need for advanced diagnostic tools to identify pathogens and AMR genes. It focuses on the development, validation, and application of targeted NGS techniques to improve clinical diagnostics, epidemiological studies, and public health strategies. The research seeks to explore the challenges and innovations in using targeted NGS for rapid and accurate pathogen identification and resistance profiling. Key objectives include enhancing the understanding of targeted NGS methodologies, evaluating their effectiveness compared to traditional methods, and exploring their application in various settings.
To gather further insights in the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for pathogen and AMR identification and profiling, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Development and optimization of targeted NGS protocols for pathogen and AMR gene detection.
- Comparative studies and evaluation of targeted NGS against traditional diagnostic methods.
- Bioinformatics tools and pipelines for analyzing targeted NGS data, showcasing case studies demonstrating clinical utility.
- Applications of targeted NGS in epidemiological surveillance, outbreak investigations, and routine clinical practice.
- Challenges and solutions in implementing targeted NGS in resource-limited settings.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health challenge, with projections indicating it could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050 if not effectively managed. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized microbiology, significantly enhancing the precision and speed of pathogen and AMR detection. Targeted NGS, which zeroes in on specific genetic regions linked to pathogens and resistance genes, offers detailed genetic insights essential for accurate identification and characterization. This approach provides a cost-effective and streamlined alternative to whole-genome sequencing by focusing on genomic regions of known significance to pathogens and AMR. The process involves extracting DNA or RNA from clinical samples, amplifying and enriching predefined genetic regions, and sequencing them using high-throughput NGS platforms. Advanced bioinformatics tools then analyze the data, enabling precise pathogen identification and AMR gene detection with high sensitivity and specificity. Despite its advantages over traditional diagnostic methods, such as higher resolution and rapid turnaround times, there remains a need for further research to optimize and validate targeted NGS techniques, particularly in clinical settings for timely infection diagnosis and resistance monitoring.
This research topic aims to address the urgent need for advanced diagnostic tools to identify pathogens and AMR genes. It focuses on the development, validation, and application of targeted NGS techniques to improve clinical diagnostics, epidemiological studies, and public health strategies. The research seeks to explore the challenges and innovations in using targeted NGS for rapid and accurate pathogen identification and resistance profiling. Key objectives include enhancing the understanding of targeted NGS methodologies, evaluating their effectiveness compared to traditional methods, and exploring their application in various settings.
To gather further insights in the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for pathogen and AMR identification and profiling, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Development and optimization of targeted NGS protocols for pathogen and AMR gene detection.
- Comparative studies and evaluation of targeted NGS against traditional diagnostic methods.
- Bioinformatics tools and pipelines for analyzing targeted NGS data, showcasing case studies demonstrating clinical utility.
- Applications of targeted NGS in epidemiological surveillance, outbreak investigations, and routine clinical practice.
- Challenges and solutions in implementing targeted NGS in resource-limited settings.