The Public Health Microbiology team in PHS coordinates a whole-genome sequencing (WGS) service for COVID-19 viral genotyping in Scotland. The service provides WGS capacity within the NHS.

The service is provided by the:

• Specialist Virology Centre at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
• West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary

The service delivers rapid sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 samples and bioinformatic analysis of genome data. This supports the identification of variants and mutants of concern and the detection and investigation of COVID-19 outbreaks and incidents.

We have produced a video explaining what whole-genome sequencing is.

The service is supported by:

• Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection (ARHAI) Scotland
• NHS Lothian
• NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

It is funded by:

• NHS National Services Scotland (NSS)
• Scottish Government

The service was developed in partnership with the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) consortium, and its academic partners at the University of Edinburgh and the Medical Research Council (MRC) University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR).

Contact

Email phs.sars.sequencing@phs.scot for more information and to submit requests forms.