Harnessing the potential of Whole-Genome Sequencing in medical microbiology and molecular epidemiology of emerging diseases

Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) has revolutionized the field of microbiology and global health. The Covid-19 pandemic has also highlighted why genomic sequencing is crucial to molecular surveillance and epidemiology in optimizing early detection and response. The applications of WGS have played a pivotal role in 1) strengthening diagnostics services, 2) improving patient care, 3) identification and tracking of disease outbreaks and 4) enhancing molecular surveillance of critical bacterial pathogens. Recognizing the versatility of WGS in microbial research, this PhD project serves the potential to transform the current knowledge on the evolution of pathogens and the global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), often referred to as a silent pandemic, which poses a major threat to humans, animals and ecosystems worldwide. Genomic data in combination with epidemiology, clinical data and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) data can also provide new insights into disease transmission, virulence and dynamics of AMR. The results can then be applied to develop concrete public health or animal health action by designing effective measures for prevention and control of infectious diseases and AMR.

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Soe Yu Naing