The ODIN Consortium conducted a one-week training in Dar es Salaam to build regional capacity in genomic surveillance using a mobile sequencing laboratory. Participants were introduced to field-ready workflows for both metagenomic and rapid barcoding sequencing, focusing on wastewater and clinical Mpox (MPXV) samples. Twenty wastewater DNA extracts and five MPXV-positive samples were processed using Oxford Nanopore’s MinION platform. The training covered DNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing, and introductory bioinformatics analysis.

Results demonstrated successful detection of diverse microorganisms in wastewater and confirmed MPXV genomes in all clinical extracts. Despite limited time for bioinformatics and poor connectivity, participants gained hands-on skills and understanding of sequencing’s role in epidemic preparedness. The workshop highlighted the value of integrating environmental metagenomics into surveillance systems and recommended expanding mobile sequencing networks and ongoing bioinformatics training to strengthen health security across the region.

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