COG-UK: sequencing SARS-CoV-2 and detecting the novel variant B.1.1.7

This episode takes a look at the role the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) has played sequencing SARS-CoV-2 and surveying for COVID-19. To do this I speak to two key members of the consortium; Steve Paterson, Professor of genetics at the University of Liverpool and lead for the wastewater working group of COG-UK; and Josh Quick, Future Leaders Fellow at the University of Birmingham and lead at the COG-UK Sequencing working group. Steve discusses some of the techniques required to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, the challenges that such a vibrant sample can present, and gives his account of the part that wastewater surveillance played in the management of the new variant B.1.1.7. Josh provides us with further insight into the technologies used to sequence SARS-CoV-2 and explains how he designed the ARTIC protocol for sequencing the virus and why it came to be so widely used. Josh also explains the bizarre act of serendipity that aided in the discovery of the B.1.1.7 variant.