Goraichuk IV, Risalvato J, Pantin-Jackwood M, Suar. Improved influenza A whole-genome sequencing protocol. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024 Nov 28;14:149727
Influenza A virus poses significant public health challenges due to its high mutation rate and zoonotic potential. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is crucial for monitoring and characterizing these viruses. Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and Illumina next-generation sequencing platforms are commonly used, with ONT being advantageous for its long-read capabilities, portability, and unique ability to access raw data in real-time during sequencing, making it suitable for rapid outbreak responses. This study optimizes the ONT Ligation Sequencing Influenza A Whole Genome protocol by refining RT-PCR kits, primers, and purification methods, and evaluating automation for high-throughput processing. The alternative RT-PCR kits, combined with alternative primers, significantly improved read depth coverage and reduced short, untargeted reads compared to the original ONT protocol. The improvement was particularly evident in the minimum read depth coverage of polymerase segments, which often face challenges with achieving uniform coverage, displaying higher coverage at the 5´ and 3´ termini, and lower coverage in the central regions. This optimized protocol for targeted influenza A WGS not only enhances sequencing quality and efficiency, but is applicable to all NGS platforms, making it highly valuable for studying influenza adaptation and improving surveillance. Additionally, this protocol can be further refined and adapted for the sequencing of other pathogens, broadening its utility in various pathogen monitoring and response efforts.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- Engineered Bacillus subtilis to deliver dsRNA via extracellular vesicles against the H9N2 avian influenza virus 6 hours ago
- [preprint]Spatiotemporal dynamics and ecological risk factors of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in Canadian wildlife: A One Health surveillance analysis 6 hours ago
- Epidemiological and Virological Characteristics of H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus in Jiangsu Province, China, 2024 17 hours ago
- Innate Pathway Selection Modulates Antibody and T-Cell Responses to Mosaic Influenza Nucleoprotein in Cattle 2 days ago
- Game Over for the Baseline: Influenza Hospitalization Patterns Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic (FluSurv-NET, 2009–2025) 2 days ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]


