Training on Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in TB

Conducted by The Foundation for Medical Research (FMR) in Mumbai (24–28 September 2018)

In 2017, the Central TB Division (CTD) installed Illumina DNA sequencers (MiSeq) at five different laboratories in India (2 in New Delhi and 1 each in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Bangalore). On request by the CTD and WHO (India), FMR in collaboration with Hinduja Hospital undertook a 5-day hands-on training workshop on WGS in TB in Mumbai (24–28 September 2018).

The WGS workshop included lectures at Hinduja hospital and FMR, and wet-lab hands-on training for isolation of genomic DNA (from the TB germ), preparation of DNA libraries & DNA sequencing by Illumina MiSeq at the J. J. hospital, and dry-lab hands-on (computational analysis of sequence data) at FMR. The lectures and hands-on session were conducted by national trainers (from Hinduja hospital and FMR) and international trainers (from the Public Health England, UK; European Bioinformatics Institute, UK; WHO-Milan, Italy; and New York State University, USA).

The 5-day WGS training workshop in Mumbai was useful in instilling the standard operating procedures for isolation of genomic DNA from the TB germ and sequencing it for predicting DST and strain lineage from the genomic DNA. The sites were oriented for taking the next big step in the direction of conducting next-generation sequencing in TB for its application in early prediction of DST profile of clinical TB isolates and for conducting surveillance in the future. FMR is presently in contact with the sites via telephone/Skype for providing them comprehensive support and will soon hand-hold with each of the individual sites to help them perform their first sequencing run after they receive the required equipment and consumables by the CTD, which is anticipated in near future.