A pre-proof article published in aBIOTECH on November 29, 2025, highlights significant advancements in sequencing-based pathogen surveillance, offering hope for improved global health, food security, and ecological resilience. Authored by a team from the Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, the study addresses the growing threat of infectious diseases in livestock, plants, and humans, emphasizing the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods.
The research points out that conventional approaches, such as morphological observation and biochemical identification, are often slow and lack the sensitivity needed for timely detection. In contrast, high-throughput sequencing technologies, including multiplex PCR-based targeted sequencing, have emerged as powerful tools. These methods provide enhanced sensitivity, specificity, and cost-efficiency, making them ideal for detecting a wide range of pathogens. However, challenges like primer design issues, including dimerization and bias, remain hurdles to their effectiveness.
The study explores innovative strategies to overcome these limitations, focusing on error-tolerant primer design to balance coverage and specificity. The integration of artificial intelligence is also noted as a key factor in improving the precision and scalability of sequencing, enabling real-time diagnostics. The review synthesizes various approaches, including culturomics, metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics, which have proven valuable in discovering new pathogen phylotypes.
Culturomics, for instance, has revealed novel bacterial species in human and animal microbiomes, aiding in the identification of both beneficial and pathogenic microbes. In agriculture, it has helped isolate plant-protective bacteria, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. Meanwhile, metagenomic and metatranscriptomic techniques allow direct sequencing of nucleotides from specimens, offering insights into microbial genomes and their activities.
The authors advocate for a „One Health“ approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and plant health. They argue that the globalization of trade has accelerated the spread of pathogens, necessitating advanced diagnostic systems. By combining these sequencing technologies, the study suggests a transformative potential to enhance pathogen detection, supporting sustainable solutions to global health challenges.
This pre-proof version provides an early glimpse into the findings, with further refinements expected before final publication. The research underscores the critical role of these innovations in mitigating the risks posed by emerging infectious diseases, from zoonotic threats like SARS-CoV-2 to plant pathogens affecting agricultural productivity.
Original Paper:
Advances and applications in sequencing-based pathogen surveillance – ScienceDirect
