Improving the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Researchers
Improving the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Researchers
Wed, Sep 14, 12:00
LT 3, Richmond Building • Portsmouth
Free
Health and Wellbeing Seminar Series
by Rosie Mackay
Date and time
Sam will be talking about the University of Portsmouth’s genomic epidemiological response to the COVID-19 pandemic
About this event
Sequencing and Tracking of Phylogeny in COVID-19 (STOP-COVID19): The
University of Portsmouth’s genomic epidemiological response to the COVID-19
pandemic
• The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has led to severe disruption across the globe. Case numbers rose significantly in the UK over the winter period of 2020 due to the emergence of a novel variant, the Alpha variant B.1.1.7. More recently, the Delta and Omicron variants have accounted for the vast majority of COVID-19 cases in the current wave of infections. Asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread represent significant routes for COVID-19 spread, and a large number of non-pharmaceutical interventions have previously been put in place in the UK to help minimise spread (including the wearing of masks, regular access to hand sanitiser, physical distancing policies, etc).
• In response to the pandemic, the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) was set up, providing a collaboration between academic institutes, NHS Trusts and Public Health Agencies to provide a systematic approach to understanding the spread of the virus throughout the UK. By using whole genome sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, viral subtypes and potential variants of concern (VOCs) such as Alpha, Delta and Omicron can be rapidly identified. In addition, by observing small changes in the virus as it passes from person to person, genomic epidemiology can be used to help identify and mitigate potential issues with infection control.
• Since the start of the pandemic, the University of Portsmouth have been at the forefront of the COG-UK network, acting as the South Coast Sequencing Hub for NHS Trusts across the region and Pillar 2 community testing sites across the UK, with around 15,000 samples processed and made publicly available. In this talk, I will discuss the University’s impact throughout the pandemic, as well as ongoing research projects looking at the role of nosocomial spread in healthcare settings and the spread of the virus amongst University students.