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Estimating the deferred value of pathogen genomic data for secondary use
Vitali Sintchenko1,2,3,4, Eby M Sim5,6,7, Carl J E Suster5,6,7
1School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. vitali.sintchenko@sydney.edu.au.
Scientific Data
|May 13, 2025
Summary
Pathogen genomics, like that of Vibrio cholerae, offers significant value for secondary use. However, an average eight-year lag exists between sample collection and genome submission, hindering timely global health insights.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of pathogen genomics.
- International data sharing in pathogen genomics faces significant challenges.
- Microbial genomic data holds deferred value for secondary uses in public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the deferred value of pathogen genomic data for secondary use.
- To analyze trends in the quality, representativeness, and timeliness of genomic data sharing.
- To evaluate the impact of improving sequencing technology access on data provision.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 10,110 assembled Vibrio cholerae genomes shared internationally (2010-2024).
- Tracking the temporal value of individual and aggregated genomic data.
- Mapping genomic data value to geographical cholera hotspots.
- Identifying trends in data quality, representativeness, and timeliness.
Main Results:
- Identified trends in data quality, representativeness, and timeliness.
- Observed an increasing role of microbiology services in genomic data provision.
- Found an average time lag of eight years between sample collection and genome submission.
- Demonstrated the deferred value of genomic data over time and across geographical regions.
Conclusions:
- Pathogen genomic data, exemplified by Vibrio cholerae, has significant deferred value for secondary use.
- Improving access to sequencing technologies enhances data provision from high-burden countries.
- Addressing data sharing roadblocks is crucial for global health and knowledge discovery.
