Diagnostics Working Group

Purpose:

The Diagnostics WG explores the possibility of applying AIRR-seq technology as a diagnostic tool to the clinics. While there has been tremendous progress in the field in terms of understanding the rearrangement of T- and B-cell receptors, binding to antigens, and basic biological function, this understanding has not yet led to larger clinical applicability. The WG wants to find out why this is the case and what the AIRR-C can do to expand AIRR-seq techniques (sequencing and analysis) into the field of diagnostics.

Goals:

1. Evaluate the usage of AIRR-seq data for diagnostic purposes. These include diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring purposes, inclusion biomarkers for clinical studies, etc.
2. Identify bottlenecks or challenges for AIRR-seq based clinical assays. These can be software tools, but also data sets or general approaches (statistical, machine learning, pattern recognition, etc).
3. Collaborate with other AIRR-C WG to brainstorm and promote further development and applications of AIRR-seq clinical testing (e.g. potential project design, standard data collection, software tools, extension to new diseases or uses …).
4. Represent a link between the AIRR-seq community and regulatory agencies when it comes to using AIRR-seq as a diagnostic tool.
5. Support the AIRR-C efforts with regard to the sequencing analysis of the immune response against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Plans for 2021 include:

• Work with other interested WGs on a chapter in Immunogenetics about AIRR sequencing methodology from the standpoint of using them for diagnostics (our part) and help where we can on the other parts
• Establish a podcast-like interview series with experts in the AIRR sequencing diagnostic space to discuss their work and views
  • Work with Diagnostics WG members, Communications and Meetings SC to help source interviewees and for technical support
  • Work with The Antibody Society for further distribution
    • Potential topics:
      1. Discuss published and future use cases for AIRR sequencing diagnostic testing starting with eg. MRD, COVID-19
      2. Diagnostic methods and study design
      3. Commercial and Research Use Only applications of diagnostic techniques

Members:

Co-leaders: Florian Rubelt, Christopher Gooley, Nicholas Schwab

Members: Rohit Arora, Lmar Babrak, Rachael Bashford-Rogers, Magnolia Bostick, Felix Breden, Syed Ahmad Chan Bukhari, Brian Corrie, Lindsay Cowell, Sol Efroni, Khalil El Mazouari, Christopher Gooley (Co-lead), Victor Greiff, David Klatzmann, Yoshinobu Koguchi, Ton Langerak, Theam Soon  Lim, Eline Luning Prak, Susanna Marquez, Pieter Meysman, Enkelejda Miho, Nima Nouri, Milena Pavlović, Florian Rubelt (Co-lead), Geir Kjetil Sandve, Tilman Schneider-Hohendorf, Nicholas Schwab (Co-lead), Erand Smakaj, Cinque Soto, Ulrik Stervbo, Johannes Trück, Henk-Jan van den Ham, Eric Waltari, and Corey Watson

Contact: diagnostics@airrc.antibodysociety.org