Taking Pathogen Detection to New Levels with new Illumina Nextseq2000 and Metagenomics Viral Panels at KRISP, UKZN
Recently, members of the KRISP team in Durban, underwent training on their newly acquired Illumina NextSeq 2000 instrument. This allow KRISP to sequence larger genomes and support the South African and African scientific community.
Mariette Kilian, a Senior Field Apppication Specialist and Training Academy Manager at Separations ran a one week training course to familiarize the team members with the set up, running and optimisation of the instrument. The training also included the use of the Viral Surveillance Panel, which will help the team prepare for the rapid detection of viral genomes.
Head of the KRISP Laboratory, Dr. Jennifer Giandhari was excited about the inclusion of this specialist instrument to their lab. "With the NextSeq 2000, researchers can sequence a range of applications by increasing throughput and at the same time reducing costs," she said.
'The viral surveillance panel kit from Illumina allows for the speedy detection and whole genome sequencing of viruses that are high risk to public health. This panel consists of 66 viruses allowing for better understanding of viral evolution and broad viral surveillance,' added Dr. Giandhari.
For more information on the services offered by the KRISP laboratory in Durban, please visit their website: https://www.krisp.org.za or contact Dr. Giandhari on giandharij@ukzn.ac.za
News date: 2024-02-01
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