Enhancing Whole Genome Sequencing Surveillance Capacity in Pennsylvania Through Participation in Genometrakr

The Food and Drug Administration?s GenomeTrakr program exists to populate databaseswith genome sequences and associated metadata of foodborne pathogens. The state ofPennsylvania joined the GenomeTrakr network in 2016 as a joint venture between PennState and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH). This collaboration wasenvisioned as a model for leveraging the world-class expertise in genomics andbioinformatics, and the unique culture collections found at Penn State, with theepidemiology and surveillance strengths of the PADOH. Since January 2017, the PAGenomeTrakr team is sequencing approximately 48 isolates per month, and the PADOH hasbecome an integral partner in managing projects while also actively participating todevelop skills in genomics and bioinformatics. This proposal describes our approach forthe next two years to: 1) meet FDA goals of populating the GenomeTrakr databases with atleast 400 genome sequences per year; 2) integrate sequence-based epidemiologicapproaches into ongoing programs at the PADOH, and 3) Pursue mechanisms of long-termsustainability for this program in the state of Pennsylvania.