PathoGenTrakka

PathoGenTrakka is a secure data platform and system that enables integration of pathogen genomics for infectious disease surveillance, threat detection and control. Adapted from Australia’s proven AusTrakka model , PathogenTrakka provides an internationally deployable solution that enables the secure, locally controlled integration of pathogen genomes with epidemiological metadata to enable timely outbreak detection, national surveillance.

Through our global outreach and capacity-building work, countries have raised the  need for   a secure and scalable solution that helps them use pathogen genomic data alongside epidemiological metadata, without compromising data sovereignty or local control.

PathogenTrakka seeks to addresses this need through its core principles and features:

Sovereignty and secure sharing

The platform lets countries retain ownership of genomic sequences and epidemiological metadata while enabling secure analysis and controlled sharing, reducing legal and ethical barriers to collaboration.

Operational integration into surveillance

Designed to be embedded within national disease surveillance programs so genomic data becomes a routine, interpretable input to outbreak detection, case investigation and public health decision making.

Capacity and sustainability

By providing an assisted, co designed solution with technical support, the platform builds local bioinformatics capability and reduces dependence on external providers, improving long term resilience.

Customisability and deployment flexibility

System can be deployed locally or accessed securely online and is configurable to country needs, enabling rapid adoption across diverse infrastructure settings.

Alignment with international best practice

Aims to align with WHO principles for safe, secure sharing of pathogen genomic data, Principles and Attributes for data sharing platforms and practices that are widely adopted by the genomics community to support global interoperability while protecting sensitive information.

PulseNet Asia Pacific Pilot

PathogenTrakka is currently being piloted by six PulseNet Asia Pacific (PNAP) member countries including Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. This pilot will explore how regional data sharing capability and capacity could be strengthened through the use of data platforms. By enabling participating laboratories to efficiently exchange genomic data and insights, the pilot aims to enhance regional surveillance, strengthen outbreak detection capabilities, and support coordinated public health action across the Asia-Pacific region.

Participating laboratories piloting PathogenTrakka will:

  • Submit genomic and epidemiological data for enteric bacterial isolates for multi-country analysis
  • Access comparative genomic analyses to identify genetic relationships between isolates across countries
  • Explore how the PathogenTrakka outputs (analyses, reports, visualisation) may assist with the monitoring of epidemiological trends in enteric pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance across the region
  • Consider how pathogen genomics public health findings can be shared with public health authorities to support coordinated outbreak investigations and responses

The outcomes of this pilot will inform the genomics data and information sharing approach for enteric disease surveillance in the Asia-Pacific region.

For further information please contact Centre-PathoGen@unimelb.edu.au