Coping with emergent SARS-CoV-2 variants: The unprecedented role of bioinformatics

SARS-CoV-2 variants display concerning mutations that require close monitoring. Genetic diversity enables the virus to adapt in ways that can impact immunity, from vaccination or recovered infection, and diagnostic testing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented global effort to collect sequencing data from around the world. The availability of millions of SARS-CoV-2 sequences in public databases has enabled the development of robust RT-PCR assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Development of mutation detection RT-PCR assays for the fast identification of emergent variants has also been achieved despite high SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity.

In this SelectScience webinar, two experts in RT-PCR assay development will discuss the critical role and power of bioinformatics to support clinical and research laboratories.

Key learning objectives

• Recognize the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 and evolution of variants
• Identify how bioinformatic tools enable the analysis of millions of sequences of SARS-CoV-2 data to:
  • Assess the inclusivity of RT-PCR diagnostics assays
  • Design robust RT-PCR assays for the detection of critical mutations enabling fast identification of emergent variants

Who should attend?

Laboratory Professionals, Laboratory Directors, Laboratory Managers, Public health Professionals, Researchers, Epidemiologists, Virologists

Certificate of attendance

All webinar participants can request a certificate of attendance, including a learning outcomes summary, for continuing education purposes.

Accreditation statement

SelectScience^® is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.^® Program.