FAIR+E pathogen data for surveillance and research: lessons from COVID-19

Area of Science:

• * Public Health and Epidemiology
• * Bioinformatics and Data Science
• * Infectious Disease Research

Background:

• * The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for interoperable and equitable pathogen data sharing for global surveillance and research.
• * Significant organizational, scientific, technical, and cultural challenges persist in achieving robust data sharing infrastructure for future pandemic preparedness.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To propose a framework for enhancing global pathogen data sharing capabilities.
• * To outline strategies for overcoming existing data sharing hurdles.
• * To foster international collaboration for improved pandemic preparedness.

Main Methods:

• * Continued support for existing efficient and trustworthy global pathogen molecular data sharing initiatives.
• * Establishment of a distributed network of Pathogen Data Platforms for data quality, standardization, analysis, and brokering.
• * Development of an International One Health Pathogens Portal adhering to FAIR principles, integrating data from diverse sources (human, animal, food, environment).

Main Results:

• * The proposed framework aims to ensure high-quality, standardized pathogen data.
• * A distributed network and international portal will facilitate data brokering for research and surveillance.
• * Capacity building and continuous improvement are central to enhancing pandemic preparedness.

Conclusions:

• * Sustained and high-quality pathogen data sharing is essential for global health security.
• * A coordinated, expert-driven effort is required to implement the proposed data sharing infrastructure.
• * The ELIXIR Focus Group serves as a platform for collaboration to achieve these goals.