September 2015 SPADA Meeting

• Given full genome sequences for all members of the Inclusivity and Exclusivity panels, anyone designing assays using DNA sequences can use in silico methods to select sequences to target with their assays that are Something to Consider specific to B. anthracis , based on signatures found only in genomes of isolates in the Inclusivity panel but absent from genomes of organisms in the Exclusivity panel. • It will be straightforward to demonstrate that the assays were designed in such a manner and, in silico “testing” will quickly demonstrate whether the targeted sequences – or sets of sequences – are specific to the target. QUESTION: Given the new sequencing information and demonstrations that the modeling provides accurate results, should we still require extensive testing against the Inclusivity and Exclusivity panels or would more limited testing against these panels suffice?

What was learned from testing?

Information from previous testing: H ll i l i h i l i i • ave a so ates n t e nc us v ty pane g ven ent ca resu ts – w t t e exception of plasmids? • If so, do we need as many isolates in the inclusivity panel? • If not, which ones performed differently? • Do some isolates appear to give more sensitive results with the same amount of assay DNA than others? • Are some inclusivity panel isolates difficult to grow or maintain; do they lose genetic material (for example plasmids) upon passage? , • If so, is it likely that such isolates would ever be used to produce “weaponized” material? l i id i l l i h h