COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium
The COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) consortium was a group of academic institutions and public health agencies in the United Kingdom created in April 2020 to collect, sequence and analyse genomes of SARS-CoV-2 at scale, as part of COVID-19 pandemic response.
| Established | April 2020 |
|---|---|
| Focus | COVID-19 genomic sequencing |
| Key people | Sharon Peacock |
| Budget | £32.2 million |
| Location | United Kingdom |
The genome data generated by COG-UK was integrated with epidemiological data and patient health records to monitor introductions into the UK, community transmission and outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2; to assess changes in transmissibility and virulence; and to evaluate the impact of treatments and non-pharmaceutical interventions. COG-UK members also undertook research that integrated human genomic and health data to understand the biology of SARS-CoV-2 and its impact on those infected.
The consortium identified the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant (at the time, referred to as Variant of Concern 202012/01) in November 2020, which became the subject of subsequent investigations by the UK public health agencies, coordinated by Public Health England and supported by COG-UK.
Between April and September 2021, SARS-CoV-2 sequencing transitioned to become a public health-led national service after which COG-UK focused on data linkage, research and international training.
The consortium formally closed at the end of March 2023.