DNA sequencing technology could create a step change in Australia's biosecurity, protecting our agriculture industries and our unique wildlife.
The power of this technology was demonstrated in the public health response to COVID-19.
Unfortunately, the power of this and other emerging technologies was overshadowed by other issues in the recent Senate Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport report on biosecurity preparedness released last week.
"Genomic technology could revolutionise Australia's biosecurity. It is important to take action now with an outbreak of the devastating livestock virus foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Indonesia earlier this year highlighting what was at stake," said Robert McBride, who leads the Asia Pacific team at global genomic company Illumina.
The committee made 29 recommendations about biosecurity measures and response preparedness. The recommendations cover many important issues about government frameworks and funding, with a strong focus on strengthening Australia's borders and existing systems.
Emerging technologies could play a very important part in the biosecurity research, development and extension strategy that the committee recommended, but they were not explicitly mentioned in the recommendation.
"We appreciate the opportunity to make a submission to the Senate Committee and that CSIRO, Australian Pork Limited and the Northern Territory Government also stressed the importance of innovative surveillance tools in their submissions," Mr McBride said.
"The report recognised the value of eDNA testing being used to detect khapra beetle and brown marmorated stink bugs and mentioned our recommendation that more innovative surveillance tools through genomic technologies, research and data to detect and understand an incursion and plan a response. However, we believe there is much more value to be gained by adopting new technologies," he added
Mr McBride and team were one of more than 100 organisations and individuals that made a submission to the enquiry. Illumina's submission outlined how genomics could support every phase of managing a disease outbreak affecting agricultural animals and plants.
"The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to strengthen global pathogen monitoring and surveillance efforts. This will help to minimise the risk of future pandemics and zoonotic outbreaks that can have devastating economic and social impacts," Mr McBride said.
Australia saw the benefits of genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Genomics provided insights into the virus's spread and evolution, which informed public policy decision making.
"The latest outbreak of FMD in our region underscores the importance for Australia to enhance its national biosecurity monitoring. With ongoing changes to our environment, climate, agricultural practices and global trade, various biosecurity threats will continue to present challenges to Australia," Mr McBride said.
He said Australia needed a better integrated national surveillance and tracking response to major biosecurity threats including FMD – which the Senate Committee's report acknowledges.
"Using next generation genomic sequencing technology would provide rapid insights into the entry, spread and evolution of the disease. This would enable better informed decisions about interventions and potential treatments."
Mr McBride said that Australian Government reports in recent years also supported leveraging technologies including genomics.
Examples include the 2021 Action Plan for Critical Technologies report, which identified genomics as a critical technology of initial focus. The National Biosecurity Strategy 2022-2032 stresses the importance of creating a more connected and efficient system that better leverages technology, research and data to facilitate more timely, informed and risk-based decisions.
Animalplan 2022 to 2027, Australia's first national action plan for production animal health endorsed by Agriculture Minister Murray Watt in September, dives deeper. It lists two projects using modern genomics technology as supporting its Objective 2: Improve Australia's surveillance and diagnostic capacity and capability for animal pests and diseases.
"The good news is that technical expertise, skills and capacity to use genomics to help manage animal and plant diseases are available in Australia and could be rolled out quickly," Mr McBride said.
"Existing public health infrastructure, processes and expertise together with the established network of state-based animal health and quarantine laboratories provide strong foundation for translating best practices from public health to animal health and biosecurity."
He said for this to be successful, Australia needed to take a similarly collaborative approach to biosecurity as was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
About us:
ABOUT ILLUMINA Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. Illumina has installed over 380 sequencers in Australia and works closely with partners in Australia such as University of Melbourne, Minderoo Foundation, Garvan Institute, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) and Omico Australia.
