Establishing a low-cost next-generation sequencing platform for on-site real-time surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses in an unreached community from the Democratic Republic of Congo

在2022财年，我们开发了便携式病毒监测工具包并获得了各种研究授权。因此，我们汇集了所需的设备和试剂，建立并验证了装在手提箱中的便携式工具包，以便对在不同地区（包括刚果民主共和国农村地区）流行的SARS-CoV-2和其他病毒进行低成本和快速测序。为获得研究协议采取了关键步骤，包括日本和刚果大学之间的合作和材料转让协议以及刚果官员的ABS许可。最后，起草了实地研究的研究方案，并提交刚果民主共和国卫生部国家伦理委员会批准。

In the FY2022, we developed the portable viral surveillance toolkit and obtained various research authorizations. Therefore, we brought together needed equipment and reagents to set up and validate the portable toolkit fitted in a suitcase for low-cost and rapid sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses circulating in different regions, including rural areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Crucial steps were taken to obtain research agreements including collaboration and material transfer agreements between Japanese and Congolese universities as well as the ABS permit by Congolese Officials. Finally, research protocols for field studies were drafted and submitted for approval to the National Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health in the DRC.