NATO Technical Activity: Sequencing for Environmental Aerosol Background Monitoring

Anna Anselmo, Markus Antwerpen, Maria Arevalo, Katharine Barr, Cory Bernhards, Radoslaw Bielawski, Anastasios Chanalaris, Matthew Clark, Marius Dybwad, Mats Forsman, Maria-Victoria Ortega-Garcia, Ulrich Gosewinkel, Ulrik Horn, Kamil Khanipov, SEAN KINAHAN, Lucas Krzowski, Richard Leggett, Claire Lonsdale, Ra’ad Mahmoud, James Marsay, Peter Rhodes, Shanna A. Ratnesar-Shumate, Abdoul Sare, Andreas Sjödin, et al., DEVCOM Chemical and Biological Center

     Abstract Number: 684
     Working Group: Bioaerosols

Abstract
Biological agents, including naturally occurring and modified pathogens pose a challenge to NATO operations as deployed forces may come in contact with endemic diseases, imported diseases, or even biological agents that are intentionally released by hostile actors. In addition, climate change is expected to accelerate the emergence or spread of zoonotic diseases, including those with pandemic potential.

Reliable and relatively fast methods for detection of harmful biological microorganisms in complex matrices are becoming more readily available both commercially and through S&T defense activities. Sequencing can be used to identify any biological threat, but first, the composition of the natural background, otherwise known as the metagenome, needs to be established. Biological aerosol backgrounds will vary based on location, season, time of day and meteorological conditions.

To this end, NATO has established a Research Task Group (RTG) to bring together sequencing and aerosol experts in the defense community to order to address challenges associated with environmental aerosol monitoring using sequencing-based approaches. They will focus on exploring and recommending best practices for sampling and collection methods; sample preparation; sequencing technology and establishing best use cases for each type of approach (short vs. long reads); analysis and interpretation of complex samples; recommendation on metrics and thresholds for improved user-confidence; and database requirements and management.

This presentation will summarize the RTG technical activity; identified key technical questions and issues to be addressed by the RTG; individual NATO participant activities and approaches to sequencing environmental backgrounds; and future ideas, concepts, and plans for the RTG effort.