Real-time genomics for One Health.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Genomics
• Public Health
• Ecology

Background:

• Societal challenges arise from environmental degradation and changing ecosystems.
• The One Health concept highlights the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, yet many interdependencies remain poorly understood.
• Timely and in-depth ecosystem health assessments are crucial for addressing these complex relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the benefits of real-time genomic analyses for the One Health initiative.
• To introduce nanopore sequencing as a key technology for enabling these analyses.
• To showcase diverse applications of real-time genomics in ecosystem health assessment.

Main Methods:

• Introduction of nanopore sequencing as a disruptive technology for real-time genomic analysis.
• Review of existing real-time genomic studies and their applications.
• Discussion of practical, legal, and ethical considerations for equitable access.

Main Results:

• Nanopore sequencing provides accessible and versatile real-time genomic data globally.
• Demonstrated applications include zoonotic disease surveillance, food security, environmental microbiome studies, antimicrobial resistance tracking, and biodiversity monitoring.
• Genomic resources for wildlife conservation and monitoring of invasive species and trafficking were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Real-time genomics, powered by technologies like nanopore sequencing, significantly enhances One Health approaches.
• Equitable access to these genomic tools is paramount for effective global ecosystem and public health management.
• Addressing practical, legal, and ethical challenges is essential for maximizing the benefits of real-time genomics in One Health.