Abstract: Sample to vaccine via an integrated cross-functional NGS network
With new vaccine platforms on the rise, such as RNA vaccines, the need for prompt and accurate sequence data from currently circulating pathogens is of paramount importance to create the next generation of “digital” vaccines. At Ceva, an integrated, cross-functional and global NGS network exists with the goals of active surveillance and characterization of relevant pathogen genes of interest (GOIs), as it pertains to vaccine production.
The basic structure of the network begins with a developmental hub to develop and troubleshoot 1) wet lab protocols for capturing desired sequence data and 2) computer tools for storing, moving, analyzing and reporting sequencing results to Ceva groups. All the developed tools are then transferred to Ceva SSIU laboratories worldwide for real-world testing and analysis. Ultimately, data is centrally stored and searchable by authorized end users for vaccine production, business needs and on-going customer support.
Wet lab protocols include both targeted and non-targeted sequencing strategies and involve both long read (Oxford Nanopore Technologies – ONT) and short read sequencing platforms. Data for long read sequencing is analyzed in real-time via Ceva’s proprietary CevaSEQ platform, which is made possible by the unique nature of ONT’s technology.
CevaSEQ not only analyzes data in real-time and is accessible from anywhere in the world with an open internet connection, but also centrally stores the data, allows for deeper characterization/analysis of data via automated workflows and provides the generation of automated full genome analysis reports at the touch of a button.
Current methodologies and success stories that were discussed during the presentation included IBV, PRRSV, PCV2, Influenza A, IBDV, Streptococcus suis and Salmonella spp. For evenness, several bottlenecks and pitfalls were also discussed for the use of NGS data as it pertains to vaccine production.
This study was conducted by Scott Callison, Derek Moormeier, Julia Padavic, John Goza, Brenden Stark, Scott Reed, Amalee Nunnally, James Mills, Corey White, Sean Brimer, Megan Regier, Samantha Schmitt, Ramhari Thapa, Liliana Cubas-Gaona, Frank Zhao, Thomas Lewiner, Mathilde Dernard, Zalan Homonnay, and Istvan Kiss. It was presented at ISWAVLD 2025.
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