Open AccessThe Next Generation of Ocular Pathogen Detection
Author(s) -
Sharon Sabapathypillai,
Hayley R. James,
Rachael R L Lyerla,
Lynn M. Hassman
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
asia-pacific journal of ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2162-0989
DOI - 10.1097/apo.0000000000000366
Subject(s) - metagenomics , dna sequencing , computational biology , pathogen , genome , biology , computer science , gene , genetics
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing is a powerful method for pathogen detection that combines advanced genome sequencing technology with cutting-edge bioinformatics to analyze microbial populations. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing has the potential to identify uncommon, unculturable, and even previously unidentified pathogens from a clinical isolate. Of particular interest to ophthalmology, this robust data extraction can occur from very small volume clinical samples. Here we discuss the opportunities and limitations of this technique and their current and future application to ophthalmic diagnostics.