NLWGSHERA2 follows up on the results of NLWGSHERA1, set up during the COVID-19 pandemic and expands to other relevant pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Developing and piloting a new laboratory surveillance platform involves strengthening the existing SeqNeth-network and enhancing intra-interregional and national multidisciplinary collaboration and knowledge transfer.

Goals

• Consolidation of the sequencing infrastructure, capacity and capability for the overseas territories (OCTs) and expansion beyond SARS-CoV-2
• Maturation of the SeqNeth network towards an active WGS surveillance and outbreak response network
• Development and pilot of a laboratory surveillance platform

NLWGSHERA2 is a 4-year project that started in July 2023.

Consortium

RIVM coordinates NLWGSHERA2 in collaboration with five partners: AMC, Erasmus MC, Maastricht UMC, Radboud UMC and UMC Utrecht.

RIVM role

RIVM has a leading role not only as project coordinator but also as lead for Work Package (WP) 5 “Sequencing infrastructure, capacity and capability for the OCTs, and expansion to other pathogens next to SARS-CoV-2” and Wp7 “Laboratory surveillance platform pilot for infectious diseases/WGS data”. RIVM is also involved in WP6 “SeqNeth maturation: expansion, networking, and continued peer exchange/skill-base/training”, co-led by AMC and Erasmus MC. Dr Doctor (Doctor) Kamelia Stanoeva is the project coordinator, Dr Harry Vennema and Dr Ivo van Walle are the leads for WP5 and WP7, respectively, and more RIVM colleagues are involved.

Funding

NLWGSHERA2  has received funding from the European Union’s EU4Health Programme as a direct grant to Member States’ authorities under grant agreement No 101113520, EU4H-2022-DGA-MS-IBA-1