Genomic Surveillance Unit (Wellcome Sanger Institute)

How many mosquitoes are there in the world? And other buzzing questions - Wellcome Sanger Institute Blog Kids often have the best questions, and mosquitoes — the world’s deadliest animal — hold so many secrets. Inspired by real questions from 7-year-olds, we dive into some fascinating facts and learn wha...

Did you know that malaria used to be endemic in the UK, and that there are still several species of malaria-capable Anopheles mosquitoes in the country?

Read more answers to #WorldMosquitoDay questions in this new @sangerinstitute.bsky.social blog post:
sangerinstitute.blog/2025/08/20/h...

Chikungunya virus in China - Wellcome Sanger Institute Blog An outbreak of a rare mosquito-borne virus in Southern China has prompted drastic containment strategies and sparked fears of another pandemic. To understand more about the situation, we spoke with Pr...

What is Chikungunya, how does it spread, and what’s happening in China?

Professor Roger Hewson, our Viruses Surveillance Lead, explains more in this @sangerinstitute.bsky.social blog:

sangerinstitute.blog/2025/08/07/c...

A poster for the event: Malaria Genomic Epidemiology Journal Club 22 July, 1:30pm (UK time), on zoom Dr Nina White, a senior data scientist at the Genomic Surveillance Unit of the Wellcome Sanger Institute, will showcase the Pf8 data resource. This is the latest MalairaGEN release of curated genome variation data on over 33,000 Plasmodium falciparum samples from 99 partner studies and 122 locations over more than 50 years. Nina Will walk through the suite of tools which accompany Pf8, guiding users on how to get the most out of this resource.

Join us for the next Malaria Genomic Epidemiology Journal Club, featuring Nina White, a senior data scientist in our team.

Nina will show the many tools and apps released alongside Pf8, the latest update to the world's largest malaria parasite genomic data resource.

sanger.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Head of Surveillance Science - Play a pivotal role in applying cutting-edge genomic research to real-world public health solutions. Salary range: 81k to 96k. Closing date: 17 August, 2025

We're hiring!

We're looking for a leader who can contribute to the strategic direction of the Genomic Surveillance Unit (GSU) at the @sangerinstitute.bsky.social, managing multidisciplinary teams in translational research and prototype development.

Tania attends to a patient in the dengue ward at Mugda Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on 20 September 2023.

Dengue, Zika, chikungunya & yellow fever are on the rise, putting 5.6B+ people at risk.

Once limited to tropical & subtropical climates, Aedes mosquitoes are spreading to new regions, increasing the risk of outbreaks.

New WHO guidelines covering all four mosquito-borne diseases 🔗 bit.ly/3Tu6BnJ

Pf8 released: A major update for the world’s largest malaria parasite genomic data resource Containing 33,325 whole genomes of Plasmodium falciparum parasites from blood samples collected in 122 different locations across 56 years, Pf8 provides unprecedented opportunities to understand and c...

The latest MalariaGEN parasite data release is out!

In this data resource, you’ll find:
🦠 33,325 parasite whole genomes
🌍 Samples from 122 different locations
🗓️ 56 years of data

Read more on the MalariaGEN website:
www.malariagen.net/article/pf8-...

How can data help prevent the next pandemic? - Wellcome Sanger Institute Blog With the World Health Organization (WHO) recently adopting an agreement on pandemic preparedness, we spoke with John Sillitoe, Director of the Sanger Institute’s Genomic Surveillance Unit, to find out...

Have you read the latest @sangerinstitute.bsky.social blog, featuring our director, John Sillitoe?

Find out more about how we approach data and pandemic prevention:

sangerinstitute.blog/2025/05/27/h...

How can data help prevent the next pandemic? - Wellcome Sanger Institute Blog With the World Health Organization (WHO) recently adopting an agreement on pandemic preparedness, we spoke with John Sillitoe, Director of the Sanger Institute’s Genomic Surveillance Unit, to find out...

“Turning data into public health impact still requires more than infrastructure. We need tools that support integration across disciplines and borders."

Find out more about how @gsugenomics.bsky.social is using data & genomics to help prevent future pandemics⤵️

sangerinstitute.blog/2025/05/27/h...

It's official: the #PandemicAccord is officially adopted by the World Health Assembly!

My warmest congratulations to @who.int Member States for their commitment to keeping their people and the world safer.

What a moment in global health history. Together!

Genomic Surveillance Unit (GSU) The Genomic Surveillance Unit (GSU) improves global human health by accelerating the use and impact of genomic surveillance. We deliver products, tools, and services that empower public health partner...

"At the Genomic Surveillance Unit, we’re committed to shaping technologies and partnerships that make this vision a reality. Data solidarity must now be matched by sustained investment in platforms that work for everyone, everywhere."

– Prof Saheer Gharbia

www.sanger.ac.uk/collaboratio...

World Health Assembly adopts historic Pandemic Agreement to make the world more equitable and safer from future pandemics Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) today formally adopted by consensus the world's first Pandemic Agreement. The landmark decision by the 78th World Health Assembly culminates more t...

"The agreement reinforces the urgent need for inclusive and resilient surveillance systems—especially those that empower Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) to generate and act on pathogen data in real time."

–Prof Saheer Gharbia

Read the announcement: www.who.int/news/item/20...

A card with a quote from Prof Saheer Gharbia, the Chief Scientific Officer of the GSU. It says: "The WHO's Pandemic Agreement is a historic milestone for global health equity and pandemic preparedness. It reinforces the urgent need for inclusive and resilient surveillance systems — especially those that empower LMICs to generate and act on pathogen data in real time."

Today the @who.int adopted a landmark Pandemic Agreement at the World Health Assembly #WHA78

www.who.int/news/item/20...

"This is a historic milestone for global health equity and pandemic preparedness, says Prof Saheer Gharbia, our Chief Scientific Officer

YouTube video by World Health Organization (WHO) Speaker Series N°10 – Translating Genomic Data into Public Health Actions

What a fascinating discussion at yesterday's @who.int Pandemic Hub event with @bihatcharite.bsky.social.

There are many challenges in turning genomic data into public health actions, but when done well the benefits are huge.

Catch up here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK6J...

A poster for the event which reads: Speaker Series - Protecting the World: Moving Rapidly Together. No. 10 - Translating Genomic Data into Public Health Actions. There re pictures of five speakers: Prof Dr Christian Drosten from Charité, Mr John Sillitoe from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Prof Dr Nada M. Melhem from the American University of Beirut, Dr Sofonias Tessema, from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and Dr Sabrina Weiss, from the Robert Koch Institute. At the bottom is a panel that reads "Join via WHO's YouTube live on 13 May 2025, 6:30 pm (CET)

Tune in tonight for insights about turning data into action, featuring our director, John Sillitoe:
www.youtube.com/@who

Translating Genomic Data into Public Health Actions Speaker Series Session N°10, co-hosted with the Charité Center for Global Health, will explore key enablers for strengthening genomic surveillance, emphasizing the role of genomic data as a foundation...

Less than a week to go until this panel discussion hosted by the @who.int Pandemic Hub and @bihatcharite.bsky.social, which promises to be fascinating!

pandemichub.who.int/news-room/ev...

Speaker Series Session N°10 - Translating Genomic Data into Public Health Actions WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence Speaker Series N°10 Season II - Protecting the World: Moving Rapidly Together Translating Genomic Data into Public Health Actions Pathogen genomic survei...

Key to responding to threats from infectious diseases is linking data to action.

Join our director John Sillitoe and a panel of excellent speakers at the next @who.int Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence seminar:

📅 May 13, 6:30pm CET
🔗 indico.un.org/event/1016845/

A postcard for the April edition of the Malaria Genomic Epidemiology Journal Club on 22nd April at 1:£0pm UK Time on Zoom. Angelina J. Kisambale will share findings from a recent study analysing Plasmodium falciparum genome data from Mainland Tanzania to evaluate the genetic diversity of the Pfrh5 gene, generating baseline evidence for new malaria vaccines.

How can genomic data be used to inform the design of new malaria vaccines? 💉

At our upcoming April Journal Club, Angelina Julius will explore results from a new study which provides baseline evidence on a potential new vaccine target (Pfrh5) in Tanzania.

Sign up: sanger.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

A postcard for the March edition of the GSU-MalariaGEN Malaria Genomic Epidemiology Journal Club on 18th March, 2025 with Brian Polo. The event will be on Zoom at 1:30pm UK time (GMT). Geographic diversity can influence how mosquito populations evolve. Using genomic surveillance, Brian and colleagues found differences in insecticide resistance mechanisms in Anopheles arabiensis across Kenya.

Our March Journal Club will feature Brian Polo, a research scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute 👥
sanger.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Brian will dive into new findings on the genetic landscape of An. arabiensis, a major but understudied malaria vector: www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-5...

Six unbelievable things you probably didn’t know about DNA - Wellcome Sanger Institute Blog Explore the surprising secrets of DNA, genes and genomes.

#OnThisDay in 1953, the structure of DNA was discovered – the double helix 🧬

Our understanding has grown exponentially since then, here are a few interesting things we’ve learnt along the way ⤵️

sangerinstitute.blog/2022/05/17/s...

YouTube video by Genomic Surveillance Unit (GSU) Women in Genomic Surveillance - A Fireside Chat

Thank you for joining our 'Women in Genomic Surveillance' webinar!

We had an insightful conversation, touching on the diverse career paths in genomics, the importance of collaboration and diversity, and the future of this dynamic field.

Revisit or catch up with the session ⤵️
youtu.be/69dDTnhbA20

To mark both the International Day of Women & Girls in STEM (February 11) and International Women's Day (March 8), join us for a panel discussion highlighting the different roles that women in genomics play in advancing global public health.

There is still time to register for our Women in Genomic Surveillance fireside chat today 👩‍🔬
sanger.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Join the conversation to hear from a panel of GSU experts on careers in genomic surveillance, the future of the field, and more. See you there!

To mark both the International Day of Women & Girls in STEM (February 11) and International Women's Day (March 8), join us for a panel discussion highlighting the different roles that women in genomics play in advancing global public health.

Curious about what careers in genomic surveillance look like?

Come along to our 'Women in Genomic Surveillance' webinar tomorrow, where GSU members will talk about their experiences, learnings, and the future of the field 👩‍🔬
sanger.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

@sangerinstitute.bsky.social

A postcard for the 'Women in Genomic Surveillance' webinar by the Genomic Surveillance Unit at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. The event will take place on 25th February at 3pm UK Time (GMT) on Zoom. The description reads: To mark both the International Day of Women and Girls in STEM (February 11) and International Women's Day (March 8), join us for a panel discussion highlighting the different roles that women in genomics play in advancing global public health.

We're looking forward to an inspiring conversation on 'Women in Genomic Surveillance' next week! 👩‍🔬🧬

🗓️ 25th Feb, 3PM GMT
📍 Zoom: sanger.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

We'll hear from scientists and project leaders at the GSU as they share their journeys, experiences, and the future of this dynamic field

YouTube video by MalariaGEN Sophia Mwinyi: A cryptic taxon of malaria vectors in the coast of East Africa

Did you know you can access a collection of our monthly journal club recordings to learn about the latest research on malaria genomic epidemiology?

In the February session, Sophia Mwinyi explored genomic evidence for a cryptic malaria mosquito in East Africa 🦟

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dalM...

📢 The Greenwood Africa Lecture 2025 at @lshtm.bsky.social @lshtm-malaria.bsky.social will be delivered by Dr Fitsum Tadesse.

He will share insights on #malaria elimination and drug resistance in #Africa.

📅 27 Feb 2025
🕰️ 15:00 GMT
📍 LSHTM
🔗 bit.ly/4aSpNDd

A postcard for the Malaria Genomic Epidemiology Journal Club by MalariaGEN and the Genomic Surveillance Unit at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. The webinar will be held on 18th February 2025 at 1:30PM GMT on Zoom.

We're excited to hear from Sophia Mwinyi at our February journal club today!

Join the discussion to learn about the genomic evidence identifying a cryptic #malaria mosquito along the East African coast and what this discovery means for vector control 🦟

Register: sanger.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

A postcard for the Malaria Genomic Epidemiology Journal Club by MalariaGEN and the Genomic Surveillance Unit at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. The webinar will be held on 18th February 2025 at 1:30PM GMT on Zoom. Sophia Mwinyi, a research scientist and PhD student at the Ifakara Health Institute and the University of Glasgow, will delve into a recent genomic study which identified a cryptic mosquito taxon within the Anopheles gambiae complex along the coast of East Africa.

The February edition of our MalariaGEN-GSU malaria genomic epidemiology journal club series is next week 🦟

Sophia Mwinyi will discuss genomic evidence for a previously unidentified malaria mosquito along the East African coast - come along to learn more 🧬🖥️

Register: sanger.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Women in Genomic Surveillance - A Fireside Chat. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. To mark both the International Day of Women & Girls in STEM (February 11) and International Women's Day (March 8), join us for a panel discussion highlighting the different roles that women in genomic...

Hi @genmoz.bsky.social, thanks for bringing that to our attention! Here is the link to register: sanger.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

"Because one thing we have learnt from the pandemic is that pathogens respect no borders," said @tuliodna.bsky.social during the launch of the UK-SA Genomic Surveillance Partnership Project.
Full video: youtu.be/zWrDj-YspDE
@sangerinstitute.bsky.social

Join us for an exciting webinar! Women in Genomic Surveillance 25th February 3:00pm (UK time, GMT) Zoom

Farah Egby Agile Coach Farah excels at galvanising teams to get things done. After completing a PhD in computational chemistry, she has worked at several large scientific companies and start-ups, using Agile and Scrum methodologies to deliver complex projects.

Sara Stott Head of Genomic Surveillance Sequencing Services Sara is responsible for the end-to-end sequencing service in the GSU. She brings expertise in quality assurance, process improvement and operational management, which she used during the pandemic to lead the Covid-19 Surveillance Laboratory team at Sanger. Sara holds a BSc double major in Genetics and Microbiology and an MSc in Forensic Science.

Ísla O’Connor Partner Engagement and Relations Assistant Ísla supports the management of relationships with new and existing partners of the Malaria Genomic Epidemiology Network (MalariaGEN). She holds a master’s degree in Bioethics and Society from King’s College London and a bachelor’s degree in Genetics from University College Dublin.

To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science #IDWGIS, join us for a fireside chat later this month featuring three GSU members from the lab, support, and partnerships teams 🧬🖥️

Register to attend:
sanger.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Meet our inspiring panel 👩‍🔬⤵️