Prospects for genomic sequencing methods within one health approach framework

Abstract

Introduction. The core objectives of the One Health concept – such as safeguarding human and environmental health, controlling antimicrobial resistance, and ensuring food biosafety – rely heavily on nucleic acid sequencing. These methods enable the identification and characterization of nucleotide sequences, from the genomes of individual microorganisms to the metagenomic profiles of entire microbial communities in environmental, human, and animal samples. Purpose of the study. This review examines the scientific literature on modern sequencing technologies, analyzing their characteristics, advantages, and potential applications within the One Health approach. Material and methods. Scientific and informational materials published in the abstract databases Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, European Food Safety Authority, etc. were collected and analyzed. Results. A range of well-known sequencing methods, based on different principles for reading and processing genetic information, are widely used—from classical Sanger sequencing to next-generation sequencing (NGS). Multilocus sequence analysis increases the specificity of genotyping pathogens of foodborne infectious diseases, making it suitable for monitoring pathogens in food production and other points within the food chain. Nanopore sequencing is a promising tool for studying bacterial plasmids and localizing genes in multidrug-resistant bacteria. This is important for developing new drugs, ensuring the rational use of existing antibiotics for disease prevention and treatment, and for improving sanitary and epidemiological conditions. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) allows the identification of infectious agents, including unculturable and previously unknown microorganisms. It is also used to determine the genetic relatedness of pathogens isolated from different sources during investigations of outbreaks and sporadic cases of food poisoning and infection. Metagenomics plays a leading role in discovering unstudied taxa, as well as uncultivated and difficult-to-cultivate microorganisms. Its main advantage is that direct WGS reveals the complete composition of the microbial community in various human, animal, environmental, and food biotopes. This allows for an assessment of their impact on health and helps to reduce the risk of disease. Conclusions. Microbial genome sequencing is a powerful tool for implementing the One Health approach and its core principles. Its applications offer significant potential, particularly for controlling the spread of infectious diseases, curbing the development of antimicrobial resistance, and monitoring food safety. Both classical Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods are increasingly used in medicine and other fields to advance shared goals in human and environmental health.