GPAS Ltd unites world-class researchers from the University of Oxford with cutting-edge technology from the world’s largest and most secure data management provider, Oracle.
As a not-for-profit entity, GPAS Ltd makes the SARS-CoV-2 toolset available free at the point of service for academic and research laboratories, and public health bodies, in low and middle income countries. GPAS Ltd is able to do this through a philanthropic donation from Lawrence J. Ellison.
Benefits
The platform delivers state-of-the-art genetic sequence assembly and analysis. Its benefits include:
Speed
Many labs around the world currently wait days or even weeks for their Covid-19 sequencing results, with decisions made on out-of-date information. GPAS works in near real time, delivering a critical early warning system, and bringing swift clear data to aid effective decision making. A single sequence can be completed in 20 minutes on average, concurrently assembling and analysing up to 100,000 genomes per day. This rapid analysis allows disease outbreaks and subsequent mutations to be tracked and acted on effectively.
Efficiency
The platform lowers the global barrier to entry. Currently genomic data can only be assembled by highly trained experts. GPAS automates this assembly service, allowing a wider range of scientists and public health experts to interpret and analyse the data, and expert bioinformaticians to concentrate on in-depth analysis of results, rather than spending time on routine operations.
Scale
GPAS allows simultaneous processing, analysis and comparison of thousands of sequences, allowing multiple countries to track variants globally, spot outbreaks, and take appropriate action. Countries who wish to do so can share data and compare side-by-side across borders at the touch of a button.
Standardisation
The platform removes variation. Currently organisations assemble their genomes in many different ways (often in response to local resource constraints). GPAS works with a range of sequencing technologies, allowing organisations to share data, compare sequences and precisely track pathogen spread and mutation as scientific understanding evolves.
Security
Each user has full control over the data uploaded to GPAS with sharing and privacy options available. The platform automatically removes personally identifiable information (PII) before upload, and the cloud infrastructure is protected by industry-leading security measures designed by Oracle.
Breadth
GPAS aims to be ‘platform agnostic’ working with a range of sequencing platforms. Currently available for SARS-CoV-2, the platform will rapidly expand to TB, foodborne illnesses, influenza and other pathogens.
Combined, these differentiators allow governments and decision makers to react quickly, together, with shared evidence, to take appropriate action to protect communities and economies.
These benefits allow governments and decision makers to react quickly, with shared evidence, to take appropriate action to protect communities and economies.