Biosurveillance systems are used to detect, monitor, and characterize health threats, or pathogens, in human and animal populations, food, wastewater, and the environment. In this report, the authors summarize for the nonscientific community how current and emerging nucleic acid biosurveillance techniques work, describe their capabilities and limitations, and discuss the promise of emerging technologies.

Modern Biosurveillance Methods

A Lay Introduction to Effective Use of Nucleic Acid Methods

Sara Duhachek Muggy, Mary Avriette, Derek Roberts, Kristin J. Leuschner

ResearchPublished Sep 16, 2024

The devastating impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led governments, health care institutions, and researchers to intensify their focus on developing improved means to detect, contain, and manage potential future outbreaks. As part of these efforts, policymakers and other nontechnical personnel need to understand available biosurveillance technologies. In this report, the authors summarize how current and emerging nucleic acid biosurveillance techniques work, describe their capabilities and limitations, and discuss the promise of emerging technologies.

Biosurveillance systems are used to detect, monitor, and characterize health threats, or pathogens, in human and animal populations, food, wastewater, and the environment. Nucleic acid testing assesses nucleic acids, comprising deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), to determine the biologic agents present in clinical samples (i.e., a sample collected by a medical laboratory from a symptomatic human) or environmental samples (e.g., wastewater).

The authors describe a scenario of testing for pathogens in wastewater that uses detection technology within a comprehensive and pathogen-agnostic biosurveillance system. Wastewater testing offers a method for collecting samples without needing symptomatic individuals to present at clinics for care. Such testing can, therefore, offer data prior to symptoms and from those who have less access to clinical care. The case study demonstrates the advancements needed to develop a truly pathogen-agnostic, cost-effective wastewater biosurveillance system.

The authors conclude that policymakers interested in establishing a biosurveillance program should carefully evaluate their specific research questions and their resource limitations to determine which technology is best suited to their needs.

Key Findings

  • Biosurveillance efforts often employ nucleic acid detection techniques, including wastewater detection efforts that have been operating since the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • A variety of nucleic acid detection techniques are available to researchers and policymakers; currently, no single technology can accomplish all biosurveillance goals.
  • All relevant stakeholders, including laboratory personnel and representatives of public utilities, should be included in discussions to determine the appropriate biosurveillance techniques to use.
  • Policymakers interested in establishing a biosurveillance program should evaluate their specific research questions and their resource limitations to determine which technology is best suited for their needs.

Topics

Document Details

Citation

RAND Style Manual
Duhachek Muggy, Sara, Mary Avriette, Derek Roberts, and Kristin J. Leuschner, Modern Biosurveillance Methods: A Lay Introduction to Effective Use of Nucleic Acid Methods, RAND Corporation, RR-A3263-1, 2024. As of October 10, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3263-1.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Duhachek Muggy, Sara, Mary Avriette, Derek Roberts, and Kristin J. Leuschner, Modern Biosurveillance Methods: A Lay Introduction to Effective Use of Nucleic Acid Methods. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2024. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3263-1.html.
BibTeX RIS

Research conducted by

Funding for this research was provided by gifts from RAND supporters and income from operations. The research was conducted by the Community Health and Environmental Policy Program within RAND Social and Economic Well-Being.

This publication is part of the RAND research report series. Research reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND research reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.