In December 2020, the assumption that SARS-CoV-2 was a slowly-mutating virus began to change with the emergence of variants of concern in the United Kingdom and South Africa, the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants, respectively. These lineages contained mutations in the spike protein that are estimated to increase the transmissibility of the virus by over 50% compared to earlier strains and provide potential avenues for immune escape. Unique spike protein mutational combinations continue to emerge globally, even in the first few weeks of 2021.

While PCR is the clear choice for verification of diagnostic test results, next-generation sequencing (NGS) is the only high-throughput method for identifying novel genomic changes in the virus. In this new webinar, we will describe how QIAGEN’s QIAseq SARS-CoV-2 integrated workflow combines QIAseq chemistries and CLC Genomics Analysis software to deliver a scalable, high-performance solution for sequencing thousands of samples a week. The combination of these technologies enables unparalleled sequence-based tracking of new emerging strains and the capability for almost real-time genomic surveillance.