British Institution Collaborates with PacBio on Large-Scale Bacterial Genome Sequencing​

Recently, the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the UK and PacBio, a gene sequencing technology company, have reached a collaboration, announcing that they will conduct comprehensive sequencing of the genomes of more than 3,000 species of bacteria. This collaboration is of great significance, involving a wide variety of bacteria, many of which are dangerous pathogens capable of causing severe diseases, and it will have a profound impact on the development of global public health.​

The Wellcome Sanger Institute has long been at the forefront of genomic sequencing research worldwide. Founded in 1992, it initially focused on large-scale gene sequencing for the Human Genome Project. Currently, its mission has expanded to leveraging gene sequencing technology to enhance human understanding of the essence of life, thereby promoting the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. PacBio, on the other hand, possesses unique advantages in gene sequencing technology. The sequencing platforms developed by the company can provide high-precision and long-read sequencing data, offering powerful tools for the study of complex genomes.​

The more than 3,000 species of bacteria selected for this collaboration have extensive sources and significant implications. These bacteria have been preserved for a long time by the National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) in the UK, and among them are some notoriously dangerous pathogens. For instance, Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the plague, has caused massive deaths in history and altered the course of human social development. Shigella can lead to intestinal inflammation and is highly contagious in areas with poor sanitation, severely affecting people's physical health. Vibrio cholerae can cause cholera, an acute diarrheal disease, posing a great threat to public health security. In addition, the sequencing targets also include more than 250 strains of Escherichia coli. Escherichia coli is widely distributed in nature, and some pathogenic strains can cause food poisoning and other problems.​

During the specific research process, PacBio's advanced sequencing technology plays a crucial role. The Single Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing technology it employs enables direct sequencing of individual DNA molecules, avoiding errors caused by PCR amplification in traditional sequencing methods. Through this technology, researchers can obtain complete information of bacterial genomes, including some repetitive sequences, methylation modifications, etc. These pieces of information are essential for a deep understanding of the biological characteristics of bacteria. For example, the antibiotic resistance genes of some bacteria may be located in repetitive sequence regions, and precise sequencing can accurately locate these genes, providing a basis for subsequent research on resistance mechanisms.​

Once the genome sequencing of these more than 3,000 species of bacteria is completed, scientists will obtain a vast amount of genetic data. Based on these data, it is expected to gain in-depth insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of bacteria. For example, by comparing the genomic differences between pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, key genes related to pathogenicity can be identified, and how these genes encode pathogenic proteins and affect the normal functions of human cells can be clarified. At the same time, it will also provide key clues for exploring the principles of bacterial drug resistance. In recent years, the problem of antibiotic resistance has become increasingly severe and has become a major challenge for global public health. By analyzing the genomes of drug-resistant bacteria, the transmission routes and mutation patterns of resistance genes can be discovered, providing directions for the development of new antibiotics or other antibacterial strategies.​

In the long run, the research results of this collaboration will bring many practical applications to the global public health cause. In terms of diagnostic methods, it is expected to develop more accurate and rapid diagnostic techniques for bacterial infections. For example, by utilizing the newly discovered specific gene sequences of bacteria, nucleic acid-based diagnostic kits can be developed, which can accurately determine the types of infected bacteria in a short time and provide timely basis for clinical treatment. In the field of vaccine research and development, after clarifying the key pathogenic antigen genes of bacteria, new vaccines can be designed specifically, improving the effectiveness and safety of vaccines. In the formulation of treatment plans, based on the in-depth understanding of bacterial pathogenic mechanisms and drug resistance principles, more targeted therapeutic drugs can be developed, avoiding the abuse of antibiotics and improving the treatment effect.​

The collaboration between the Wellcome Sanger Institute in the UK and PacBio is an important initiative in the field of global public health. Through the sequencing research of the genomes of various dangerous bacteria, it will provide strong technical support and knowledge reserves for humans to gain a deeper understanding of bacteria and combat bacterial infectious diseases. In the future, it is expected to effectively improve the global public health situation and benefit all mankind.​