Infectious disease surveillance and outbreak detection: Bioinformatic challenges

Over the course of recent decades, rapid advancements in molecular diagnostic technologies have revolutionized the practice of public health microbiology. The application of these laboratory technologies to the study of infectious diseases has fundamentally changed the nature, accuracy, and timeliness of laboratory data available for outbreak investigation and response. Whole genome sequencing and comparative pathogen genomics, in particular, are increasingly feasible for near-realtime high-resolution strain typing and characterization, and may allow for more rapid and accurate definition of outbreak clusters, and a more detailed understanding of chains of infection and attribution. However, the tremendous volume and complexity of the data that are generated by these approaches generates new challenges that requires parallel investments in high-performance computing, storage, and specialized staffing, with careful consideration of how these data will be organized, integrated, accessed and shared. This session will discuss the opportunities and challenges of incorportating these data-intensive technologies into laboratory practice, and the emerging role of bioinformatics in public health.