A new genomic resource is helping strengthen Australia’s ability to detect and respond to viral threats to agriculture, aquaculture and native biodiversity.
The Australian Biosecurity Genomic Database, developed by the BioCommons team in collaboration with Agriculture Victoria and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, provides an open-access collection of curated viral reference genomes for screening high-throughput sequencing data.
The database enables agricultural and biodiversity researchers to rapidly screen genomic datasets from animals, animal products and environmental samples for notifiable viral pathogens. This can help scientists identify potential biosecurity threats earlier and support appropriate reporting and response.
The resource currently contains 92 high-quality viral reference genomes representing 33 viral families, drawn from Australia’s national lists of notifiable terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases. The collection is designed to expand over time as new reference genomes become available.
The project demonstrates how national research infrastructure can translate genomic data into practical tools for government and the research community. By bringing together expertise from BioCommons, Agriculture Victoria and the Australian Government, the initiative has delivered a resource designed around the needs of biosecurity scientists and deployed through the Bioplatforms Australia Data Portal.
With accompanying guidelines and a notifiable virus compendium, the database provides researchers with both the tools and information needed to investigate potential detections and support Australia’s biosecurity response.