Tbilisi State Medical University hosted an informational seminar - Genomic Epidemiology in Georgia, organized by the L. Sakvarelidze National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC). The seminar was held within the framework of the EU Twinning Project “Strengthening the National Disease Surveillance System in Georgia by Enhancing Epidemiological and Molecular (Genomic) Surveillance.” The event aimed to deepen knowledge and facilitate experience-sharing in genomic sequencing and genomic surveillance.

During the meeting, speakers emphasized that while whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is advancing rapidly, its development varies depending on pathogens, diseases and EU countries. It was noted that numerous academic studies conducted over the past decades have significantly contributed to the advancement of genomic epidemiology. These studies have further highlighted the epidemiological and clinical significance of sequencing-based findings.

In many countries, genomic sequencing systems were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating their importance in infectious disease surveillance. The utilization of genomic data has become a crucial tool in outbreak investigations, allowing researchers to determine pathogen transmission mechanisms, analyze epidemiological pathways, and develop appropriate preventive measures based on genomic analysis.

The keynote speakers were Dr. Miglė Gabrielaitė, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Researcher at Vilnius University and Dovilė Juozapaitytė, Head of the Biobank of Santaros Clinic at Vilnius University Hospital. The seminar was attended by representatives from the NCDC, the Lugar Laboratory, medical specialists and academic institutions.