About FDA

Description: The GenomeTrakr Program is creating a sustainable network of public health laboratories using whole genome sequencing (WGS) to investigate foodborne illness outbreaks and attribute illnesses to specific food products, processing or farming practices, or geographic regions. The program is changing the way that foodborne illnesses are investigated, allowing authorities to investigate small illness clusters before there is a chance to sicken large numbers of people. The network is linked by a common, publically-accessible database that uses a common sequencing platform, with common laboratory and quality control procedures, common on-board training and a common metadata (sample information) standard. Since 2012, the network has expanded to 10 state health and agriculture laboratories, one commercial lab servicing the food industry, and one international lab. The network has built a database of over 10 thousand and 4 thousand Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes genomes respectively from real time surveillance and historical collections. This database has supported multiple foodborne illness outbreak investigations and is fundamentally changing the way that outbreak investigations are conducted.

Accomplishment: As of October 1, 2018, the milestones of the GenomeTrakr network key project were completed. Work continues to harmonize international standards for Whole Genome Sequencing in collaboration with the International Standards Organization (ISO) and international organizations. These international standards continue to evolve as science and use of WGS technology advance. For more information about the GenomeTrakr program, please visit:https://www.fda.gov/food/foodscienceresearch/wholegenomesequencingprogramwgs/ucm363134.htm