Coronaviruses roadmap:
Diagnostic Tests
Roadmap for the development of diagnostic tests for coronaviruses
Download 202410 Draft Coronavirus Diagnostic Development_FinalB
Genetic
Genetic
Research Question
- Affordable tools to be utilised in the field for:
- genetic detection
- genetic characterization
- identification of virulence factors
- identification of homologous or heterologous genes
Research Gaps and Challenges
- Genetic similarities between many coronavirus lineages (therefore sequencing is needed for species identification)
- Field adaptation
- Different species
- Different matrix
- Bioinformatics support/characterization/interpretation of virulence markers or genetic signatures
- Consideration that during diagnostics, we may also hit upon discovery
- Biosafety issues restrict viral isolation
- Internal quality controls (e.g. arbitrary ct values) may bias towards detection of higher viral infectious loads and some may be missed
- Consideration that successful viral isolation may introduce lab adaptations that infer rapid changes and may not reflect wild type virus
Solution Routes
- Protocols for different matrix (milk, mucous membrane swabs, faeces…)
- Develop multiplex PCR
- Purification methods for sequencing
- On site-trials and validation
- User friendly tools and reporting systems
- Bait and capture, enrichment approaches for high ct/low copy samples to generate sequences where possible
- Development of multiple systems to give a preliminary assessment of biological characterisation – genetic sequence and viral kinetics to be shared widely
- Implementation of appropriate biosafety measures and risk assessments to ensure safe working (and acceptability from external stakeholders e.g. general public)
- Development of standardised processes for the above
Dependencies
- Effective training for performing and interpretation of data
- Training in bioinformatics
- Standardised protocols for different settings
- Regulation for reporting – implementation of databases
- Improve timely- communication with risk assessors/ policy makers
Projects
What activities are planned or underway?
Differential susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 in animals : Evidence of ACE2 host receptor distribution in companion animals, livestock and wildlife by immunohistochemical characterisation
Planned Completion date 26/07/2021
Participating Country(s):
Netherlands
Veterinary Biocontained facility Network for excellence in animal infectiology research and experimentation
Planned Completion date 28/02/2023
Participating Country(s):
Europe