Environmental Surveillance
Monitoring for the presence of potential pathogens in the environment
(The team pauses for a photo op during week-long air sampling detection limit tests, coordinating across 3 teams during the Singapore COVID-19 re-opening)
Environmental monitoring for infectious disease agents (SARS-CoV-2)
Since 2019, in collaboration with local Singapore organizations, we have collected over 2,000 air and surface samples in an effort to assess detection limits of SARS-CoV-2 in locations with confirmed (Red Zones) and without (Green Zones) COVID-19-positive cases. Samples are being processed using a standardized viral inactivation method and subsequently isolated RNA is screened for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR and digital droplet PCR while also being subjected to next-generation metatranscriptomic sequencing.