Description

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Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) through its International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) has awarded approximately $2 million to 10 projects under the first round of catalytic grants.

Details

This initiative aims to enhance pathogen genomic surveillance capabilities particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to better understand and mitigate disease threats.

About IPSN

The International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) is a global network of pathogen genomic actors, brought together by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, to accelerate progress in pathogen genomics, and improve public health decision-making.

The IPSN brings together organizations from across sectors, income levels and geographies with a commitment to international cooperation and equity, and deep expertise in genomics data and technologies or scale-up of surveillance systems.

It sets out to create a mutually supportive global network of genomic surveillance actors that amplifies and accelerates the work of its members to improve access and equity.

What is Pathogen genomic surveillance?

It is the monitoring and analysis of the genetic material (the genome) of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. This surveillance involves the collection, sequencing, and analysis of genomic information of pathogens to understand their genetic makeup, evolution, and how they spread.

Pathogen genomic surveillance was used widely during the COVID-19 pandemic to track and predict the evolution of the virus itself and can be used across diseases to inform public health outcomes and prepare for future pandemics and epidemics.

Who are members of the IPSN?

International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) member organizations are governmental, non-governmental, academic and philanthropic organizations as well as business associations that contribute to the advancement of public health and actively work in pathogen genomic surveillance or adjacent fields.

IPSN members are organizations, not individuals.

What does membership in the IPSN entail?

All members have access to the following:

Partnership & networking: The IPSN offers opportunities for members to work together across regions and sectors on critical issues related to their work in pathogen genomic surveillance. The Secretariat supports members by helping to broker partnerships and coordinate technical platforms and learning exchanges.

Members are invited to attend the annual IPSN Global Partners Forum, which serves as an opportunity for knowledge sharing, advocacy, and collaboration for all members.

Funding opportunities: Member organizations from LMICs will be eligible to apply for funding through the IPSN catalytic fund. This fund supports equitable participation in the IPSN and will enable lower-resourced members to contribute to the global knowledge base for pathogen genomic surveillance.

Materials: Members receive regular communications and have access to IPSN platforms as well as resources and materials that are produced and shared by members and the IPSN Secretariat.

A joint commitment

The establishment of the International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) Secretariat is supported by German government funding to the WHO Pandemic Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence.

The IPSN is supported by three operational bodies: a Funders Forum, a Country Scale-up Accelerator, and Communities of Practice. The Funders Forum coordinates philanthropic, multilateral and governmental donors to increase political attention and financing efficiency of pathogen genomic surveillance.

The Funders Forum is also intended to catalyse additional grant funding for the projects of IPSN members.

IPSN catalytic grant fund

The IPSN catalytic grant fund is dedicated to supporting member organisations to pilot innovation and create an evidence base for the rapid scale-up of pathogen genomic surveillance. The fund, which is housed within the UN Foundation on behalf of the IPSN, supports projects globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Read about WHO: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/75-years-of-world-health-organisation

Summary

Feature	Details
Objective	To advance genomic surveillance of pathogens and improve public health decision-making.
Funding and Support	Hosted by the United Nations Foundation.
	Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation and Wellcome.
Technology Involved	Analysis of the genetic material of viruses, bacteria and other pathogens to understand their spread and severity.
Applications	Tracking disease outbreaks. Developing vaccines and treatments. -Supporting rapid public health interventions.
Target Settings	Focus on LMICs, refugee populations and high-risk environments like live-bird markets.

Indian Contributions

Ashoka University and International Foundation for Research and Education: Focusing on pathogen genomic studies.

CSIR’s Project: "Quantitative mapping of environmental to clinical AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) via DNA barcoding" highlighting the role of DNA technology in tracing resistance pathways.

Global Grant Recipients and Projects

Country	Project/Institution	Focus Area
Lebanon	American University of Beirut	Wastewater surveillance for disease spread in refugee populations.
Laos	Pasteur Institute	Tracking avian flu in live-bird markets.
Brazil	Federal University of Rio de Janeiro	Developing open-source bioinformatics tools for offline genomic analysis.
Sri Lanka, Rwanda, Ghana	Various institutions	Tailored pathogen genomic surveillance projects.
Angola, Cameroon, DRC	Collaborative initiatives	Localized genomic surveillance to address regional disease threats.

Importance of Pathogen Genomic Surveillance

Enhanced Disease Tracking

Enables precise identification of disease-causing agents.

Monitors the evolution and mutation patterns of pathogens like SARS-CoV-2.

Support for Vaccines and Therapeutics

Provides data essential for developing and adapting vaccines and drugs.

Data-Driven Public Health

Empowers countries with tools to make informed, evidence-based decisions.

Climate Change Context

Addresses the amplification of epidemic and pandemic risks due to climate-related factors.

Sources:

HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.The WHO's International Pathogen Surveillance Network (IPSN) represents a pivotal step toward enhancing global health security. Discuss the role of genomic surveillance in tackling emerging infectious diseases. (250 Words)