A team of UWI scientists was featured in the PLOS Global Public Health Journal for its work on genomic surveillance research in the Caribbean. The article, published in February 2023, details how the team’s work propelled the Caribbean out of the pathogen genomic surveillance starting blocks and thus facilitated better understanding and control of SARS-CoV-2 in the region.

The article describes the implementation of rapid whole genome sequencing (WGS) at The UWI to monitor the rapid evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in the Caribbean and the resulting emergence of new, easily spread variants. It also presents the successes and challenges encountered by UWI researchers and their regional and international counterparts, as well as lessons learned. It makes recommendations for sustainable genomic surveillance in resource-limited settings.