Photo By Douglas Holl | Theresa (Tracie) Lattimore, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War, Office of Health...... read more read more
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By Armed Forces Health Surveillance Public Affairs
The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division's Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Branch (part of Defense Health Agency Public Health) hosted its 3rd Annual Science Summit in Silver Spring, Maryland, Sept. 10-12. This meeting highlighted cutting-edge, next-generation sequencing, or NGS, methods in use across the GEIS network and the value of genomic data for informing decision-makers. Attendees included representatives from more than 15 domestic and global organizations within the GEIS network, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Homeland Security. The outcomes of this meeting were aimed to inform the strategic direction for the GEIS branch in the context of the larger Department of War public health and biosurveillance priorities.
“This meeting is an extension of our efforts in the GEIS program office to bring together world-class experts focused on improving the interoperability of genomic sequencing data, ultimately advancing the DOW’s biodefense posture,” said Lt. Col. Brett Swierczewski, chief of the GEIS branch.
Keynote speakers included Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War Theresa (Tracie) Lattimore and Joint Staff Surgeon Brig. Gen. Clinton Murray, both of whom underscored the crucial role of biosurveillance and the GEIS network in supporting military operations around the globe.
The summit provided an opportunity for knowledge exchange and open dialogue on current priorities and emerging issues in the NGS and bioinformatics space. Topics included the practical applications of pathogen-agnostic sequencing (a method designed to spot any infectious agent, not just ones you already suspect) for respiratory pathogen surveillance, vector surveillance, and wastewater surveillance; pathogen-agnostic sequencing deployed in the field; and digital biobanking, big data transfer and storage. Other emerging challenges included pathogen-agnostic sequencing for biothreats and engineered threats, and the utility of surveilling for antimicrobial resistance in wastewater.
As highlighted in the 2023 Biodefense Posture Review, NGS technologies provide critical information for early biothreat detection and genomic characterization. Enhanced genomic surveillance capabilities within DOW medical and public health laboratories enable experts to rapidly detect and characterize infectious disease threats, including those encountered in field settings. However, effectively and efficiently interpreting and communicating the complex data generated from these new surveillance modalities remain key challenges.
The GEIS program is actively addressing these communication challenges. A mini-tabletop exercise at the summit focused on improving communication of early biothreat-surveillance findings. This exercise aimed to evaluate the process of communication after the detection of a novel pathogen and the challenges of translating complex genomic data into actionable information for decision-makers.
Summit participants also discussed the strategic implementation of pathogen-agnostic genomic surveillance across the GEIS network.
Pathogen-agnostic surveillance, when used with effective communication strategies and quality assurance programs, could enhance the DOW’s ability to detect, characterize and respond to threats, said Swierczewski. It doesn’t matter if the threat’s origin is natural, accidental or intentional. This approach reduces dependence on pre-existing knowledge of circulating pathogens within an operational area.
Because pathogen-agnostic sequencing is resource-intensive, the GEIS Branch emphasizes strategic implementation to prepare for both the "most likely" and the "most dangerous" biothreat scenarios.
Two presentations highlighted key GEIS branch efforts to improve the quality and accessibility of data generated using pathogen-agnostic sequencing methods:
Each session sparked in-depth discussions, fostering deeper connections between GEIS partner laboratories and opening avenues for interagency collaborations.
“The GEIS summit serves as the premiere forum for exchanging information on the value of genomic sequencing technology and how it can be leveraged to benefit the warfighter,” said Navy Capt. Carlos Williams, deputy chief of the DHA Public Health’s Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division. “It is imperative that we maintain and expand these capabilities now to set the theater for the Geographic Combatant Commands, mitigating the potential impact of biothreats on military operations.”
Learn more about the GEIS program at the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance website.
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| Date Taken: | 12.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.19.2025 08:13 |
| Story ID: | 554822 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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