FAIR+E pathogen data for surveillance and research: lessons from COVID-19

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1289945
• Publication Date: 2023-11-23T15:58:35Z
• Authors: Aitana Neves; Isabel Cuesta; Erik Hjerde; Terje Klemetsen; David Salgado; Jacques van Helden; Nadim Rahman; Nazeefa Fatima; Nestoras Karathan...; Pawel Zmora; Wolmar Nyberg Åke...; Sushma Nagaraja G...; Zahra Waheed; Niklas Blomberg
• Keywords: Data Sharing; Pandemic; Preparedness

The COVID-19 pandemic has exemplified the importance of interoperable and equitable data sharing for global surveillance to support research. While many challenges could be overcome, at least in some countries, hurdles within organizational, scientific, technical cultural realms still remain tackled prepared future threats. We propose (i) continue supporting efforts that have proven efficient trustworthy toward addressing pathogen molecular sharing; (ii) establish a distributed network Pathogen Data Platforms (a) ensure high quality data, metadata standardization analysis, (b) perform brokering on behalf providers both research surveillance, (c) foster capacity building continuous improvements, also preparedness; (iii) an International One Health Pathogens Portal, connecting isolated from various sources (human, animal, food, environment), truly approach following FAIR principles. To address these challenging endeavors, we started ELIXIR Focus Group where invite all interested experts join concerted, expert-driven effort sustaining ensuring high-quality