INSaFLU-TELEVIR: A platform to detect and track viruses

In recent years, the field of virus research has made significant advances thanks to new technologies that promise to change the way we monitor and combat epidemics. One innovation in this area is INSaFLU-TELEVIR [https://insaflu.insa.pt], a free and accessible platform that helps laboratories around the world to identify viruses and track their spread. Born from an international collaboration in the One-Health EJP TELEVIR project, which also included Maurilia Marcacci from the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Teramo, the system enables efficient genetic surveillance of viruses, providing information that can support surveillance actions and rapid response by health authorities.

"This platform - says Vítor Borges, coordinator of the Bioinformatics Platform at the Instituto de Saúde Pública Doutor Ricardo Jorge in Lisbon - is a qualitative leap in our ongoing effort to improve virus detection and rapid response capabilities. It is designed to be easily used by all research and public health laboratories, offering advanced tools that were previously available only to a few."

INSaFLU-TELEVIR, presented in a scientific paper published in the journal Genome Medicine, combines several advanced features: it allows the assembly of viral genetic information, automatic classification of variants (such as occurred with SARS-CoV-2), and the study of their geographical and temporal spread.

Adriano Di Pasquale from the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Teramo highlights the practical use of the platform: "The ability of INSaFLU-TELEVIR to process data from different sequencing technologies and provide rapid and accurate analyses significantly improves our ability to monitor viruses, enabling us to respond more quickly and accurately to health emergencies."

A significant update to INSaFLU-TELEVIR is the support for data obtained from Oxford Nanopore sequencing technologies, which enables real-time sample analysis during sequencing, thus reducing time and costs.

The platform has been designed to be intuitive and easily accessible, with clear and detailed reports that help users navigate and understand the results. "INSaFLU-TELEVIR - Borges comments - not only identifies viruses but also provides detailed and easily interpretable data, essential for confirming diagnoses in clinical settings".

With increased accessibility to genetic data and continuous advancement in sequencing technologies, platforms like INSaFLU-TELEVIR will become essential tools for virologists and public health professionals, marking a promising era in the fight against viral diseases.