Concentric By Ginkgo and Texas A&M University Awarded USDA NIFA AFRI Grant to Conduct Genomic Animal Research to Prevent Zoonotic Disease Spillover
In a collaborative effort aimed at advancing our understanding of zoonotic disease spillover and enhancing biosecurity, Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) and Texas A&M University have received a research grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) via the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (NIFA AFRI). This grant will support a new study focused on SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer populations in Texas.
White-tailed deer, a species commonly found in Texas and elsewhere in the United States, have exhibited high rates of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in wild populations. The study will involve widespread DNA sequencing of white-tailed deer. The primary objectives of this study are to determine how both farmed and wild white-tailed deer become infected with SARS-CoV-2, when such infections occur, and how the spread of this disease can potentially impact other animal species, including humans.
The research will entail screening historical as well as newly collected samples for the presence of the virus, followed by comprehensive sequencing and analysis performed by Concentric. The insights gained from this research are expected to provide valuable data points to help the agriculture and livestock industries develop strategies and infrastructure to respond effectively to SARS-CoV-2 infections in deer and prepare for future zoonotic disease outbreaks that may affect livestock.
Matt McKnight, General Manager of Biosecurity at Ginkgo Bioworks, expressed their commitment to this important research, saying, “We are honored to be an awardee of a USDA grant. Zoonotic pathogen research like this is key to helping make informed decisions and avoid future outbreaks. This data and research will provide governments, industry leaders, and academics the information they need to optimize behaviors and provide early warnings to help prevent disease spillover.”
In addition to its immediate impact, Concentric plans to leverage the findings from this study to establish a framework for monitoring future zoonotic spillovers. This initiative will contribute to the creation of a robust biosecurity infrastructure that can be adopted by governments worldwide, strengthening their biosurveillance efforts and enabling the establishment of early warning systems.