1976
First DNA-base genome sequenced. It was PhiX174, a bacteriophage, containing a single circle of DNA.
1986
First automated DNA sequencing machine became available.
2010
University of Oxford Modernising Medical Microbiology Team started using pathogen sequencing to predict TB drug resistance.
2012
Oracle launched the Oracle Cloud enabling sharing and storage of information on the internet.
2013 - 16
Ebola virus disease epidemic marked the first large-scale use of genomic epidemiology for an ongoing outbreak.
2020
11th January
Chinese scientists published the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus (later SARS-CoV-2).
2021
8th January
WHO Guidance on implementing SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequencing published.
April
Oracle donated cloud services to support University of Oxford R&D.
13th June
G7 leaders commit to ‘boost global surveillance and genomic sequencing’.
21st September
Institute of Public Health in Chile becomes the first international user of GPAS.
2022
January
GPAS toolset updated to enable sample upload from both Illumina and ONT sequencing machines.
February
GPAS toolset updated to enable upload of FASTQ and BAM files. Oxford University Hospitals and UKHSA’s New Variant Assessment Platform begin testing samples.
March
Labs in South Africa, Tanzania, the United States and Pakistan begin using GPAS toolset.
End of 2022
GPAS Ltd to launch a service for surveillance of TB.
Future
GPAS Ltd will launch services for more pathogens, including foodborne diseases and influenza, and will expand the utility of the toolset beyond clinical research and public health decision support. GPAS Ltd will transfer knowledge and build capacity in low and middle income countries.