Regional bioinformatics network. Aurelie Brioudes On behalf of Filip Claes, Regional Laboratory Coordinator

Transcription

1 Regional bioinformatics network Aurelie Brioudes On behalf of Filip Claes, Regional Laboratory Coordinator

2 Virus evolution Novel serotypes H5N6 H5N8 New reassortments H5N2 Other EIDs 2

3 Need to know which are REAL dangerous mutations Pandemic threat? 3

4 Application of computer technology to the management of biological information. Computers used to gather, store, analyze and integrate biological genetic data. Used for a better understanding of virological and genetic properties of EIDs. 4

5 Building bioinformatics capacity at country and regional levels will help understand pathogens and identify potential virological threats before they get widely spread in the livestock population. Questions: How to communicate bio-infomatic nerd into understandable language? How can we use bio-informatics and molecular tools for guiding surveillance and epidemiology? How to reach policy makers? 5

6 A regional approach to bioinformatics can serve as a key mechanism to harmonize the regional capacity for disease intelligence and assist with the efforts to combating existing and upcoming EIDs in the region 6

7 Regional workshop to develop regional plan for bioinformatics

8 Approach Consultative process Views from key experts Views from regional experts Views from regional users

9 Main aim of the consultation Develop a regional plan for bioinformatics including an overall vision and goal for bioinformatics for the animal health sector in South and Southeast Asia to serve better control and prevention of emerging pandemic threats in the region.

10 Objectives of the consultation 1. Discuss a plan to strengthen bioinformatics capacity in South and Southeast Asia including main goals and regional vision; 2. Develop a list of objectives and activities to support the developed goals (from basic bioinformatics skills to next generation sequencing); 3. Identify how bioinformatics can support epidemiology, national policy and decision making; 4. Identify training needs and approaches to efficient training curricula (for lab and epi); 5. Identify potential partnership with public health sector initiatives in order to avoid duplication of efforts.

11 CONCLUSIONS 1. YES! Bioinformatics is a key component in controlling and preventing animal and zoonotic diseases. 2. The key benefits of strengthening bioinformatics capacities within the region are: a) To guide and improve targeted disease surveillance. b) To improve diagnostic capacities to detect animal and zoonotic diseases. c) To guide decision makers on disease prevention and control strategies. d) To improve molecular epidemiology and overall understanding of the spread, evolution and ecology of pathogens. 3. Gaps and needs in bioinformatics capacities, including human resources, technology and knowledge, are present within the region and must be addressed to improve the use of bioinformatics in controlling and preventing animal and zoonotic diseases.

12 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. The establishment of 3 working groups of bioinformatics experts: mapping the existing capacity, training development, outreach to other stakeholders 2. Mapping the current laboratory and human resources in bioinformatics in the region 3. The finalization of the regional plan for strengthening bioinformatics and the presentation of this draft to regional platforms in ASEAN (Lab Tag and ALDF) and SAARC (Lab Directors and CVO Forums) for consideration and implementation. 4. The development of basic and advanced training modules for workshops, as well as modules for other stakeholders, including decisionmakers, epidemiologists and communications experts.

13 RECOMMENDATIONS 5. The engagement of other key stakeholders and networks, such as public health and epidemiology networks, and private sector, to make use of synergies and collaborative opportunities to aid in the implementation of the regional bioinformatics strategy. 6. The organization of regional workshops on bioinformatics targeting member states for the presentation of the regional plan and the piloting of training modules. 7. The organization of in service trainings at the country level on targeted support for bioinformatics when and where needed. 8. The inclusion of bioinformatics as a key component in existing expert groups, such as Lab Tag and laboratory director s forum (ASEAN) and laboratory directors meeting (SAARC). 9. Continuing support from FAO in coordinating expert working groups and efforts to develop training modules, standard operating procedures and other relevant materials.

14 Thank you for listening!!! For more details / questions: Filip.Claes@fao.org 14