Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative

Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative

Genomic sequencing for infectious disease elimination

The Asia Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Asia PGI) was established in late 2021, with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to leverage scientific and technical partnerships in Singapore and across Asia.

Asia PGI is accelerating pathogen genomic sequencing in Asia, where early detection, control and the elimination of infectious diseases is an urgent priority.

Key Priorities

Early Detection: Asia PGI Academy

The Academy aims to accelerate capacity development for pathogen genomic sequencing of novel and endemic pathogens. The facility is equipped to provide hands-on technical training on a range of pathogen genomic sequencing platforms and workflows. Training covers both laboratory and bioinformatics, with workshops focusing on priority pathogens for genomic surveillance in Asia. Additionally, the Academy envisions utilising new educational technologies and delivery modes to enhance technical trainings and strengthen pandemic preparedness.

Key activities:

Singapore-based training workshops
Off-site regional workshops
Deployable genomics outbreak response
Virtual learning platforms
Webinars and seminars
Monitoring and evaluation

View our Training Repository to access a wide range of training materials.

Early Detection: Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance for Public Health

We are strengthening emerging efforts and expanding the utility of wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) for novel and endemic pathogens of public health importance in Asia. A Regional WES Expert Working Group has been established to foster ongoing strategic engagement, guidance development, knowledge exchange and capacity building activities. The WES team partners with Singapore’s National Environment Agency to develop training programs on WES best practice.

Key activities:

Regional expert working group
Technical training
Webinar series
Strategy design for sampling and surveillance
Innovation hub
Country use-cases and investment cases

Novel Tools

We support the translation of pathogen genomics and surveillance data into the design and development of outbreak preparedness and response tools, specifically diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. This is achieved through scientific exchanges and cross-country translational research, enabling short-term visiting scientist placements to undertake cutting-edge translational research in genomics, immunology and new tool development.

Key activities:

Sponsored visiting scientist placements
New tool development through translational research projects
Workshops for new tool design and development

Health Systems Enhancement

The health systems enhancement (HSE) team focuses on integrating multi-pathogen approaches into genomic surveillance with national strategic planning and cost-efficient systems design to maximise public health impact. HSE also offer technical support for investment case development and cross-country learning via knowledge-sharing platforms and activities.

Key activities:

National investment case development
Best-practice documentation
Cross-country knowledge sharing

Check out our Roadmap for Pathogen Genomics in Asia and recently published paper in Cell Genomics: "Advancing pathogen genomics in resource limited settings".

View our Health Systems Enhancement Resources to access all resources, including country profiles and external guidance documents.

Enabling Environment: Supply-chain Responsiveness

Addressing supply chain constraints has emerged as a key priority for countries in Asia. At present, low-income countries pay substantially more than high-income countries for genomic sequencing equipment and reagents. Supply chain challenges lead to long delays in repair and re-supply time. The supply chain team works with genomics manufacturers and countries to address these challenges.

Key activities:

Generate market intelligence on genomics pricing
Support national forecasting and costing for pathogen genomics
Establish a regional supply chain community-of-practice network

Enabling Environment: Legal Frameworks

Legal frameworks in pathogen genomics establish clear guidelines and standards for every step of the process – from research and development, data collection and usage, to data sharing and collaboration for the surveillance and response of global infectious disease outbreaks. Together with the Centre for International Law (CIL) at NUS, we support countries in strengthening their legal infrastructure in pathogen genomics to promote sustainable efforts in the region.