Skip to main content

Military Health System

Innovative mobile technologies impact DOD health surveillance

Image of Medical personnel using a syringe to inject a fluid into a test tube. Medical personnel using a syringe to inject a fluid into a test tube

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Research & Innovation | Health Care Technology

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of collaboration and information-sharing forums for those working in the health field.

An example of one such forum is the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division (AFHSD), Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) Branch’s Next Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Consortium (NGSBC) and their mobile next generation sequencing (NGS) working group.

The NGSBC was created in 2017, bringing together DOD partners for coordination and improvement of pathogen genetic sequencing and analysis efforts. Subject matter experts from the Naval Medical Research Center, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, and the Naval Health Research Center assist the overseas service laboratories and other partners with protocol development, sample processing, and sequence data analysis.

As genetic sequencing capabilities have evolved and grown, so has the desire to have mobile platforms that could shorten the time from sample collection to final results reporting. Therefore GEIS and partners are exploring the use of mobile NGS technology in the laboratory, the field, and austere environments. To support these efforts, the mobile NGS working group was derived from the NGSBC in 2019 and focuses on increasing knowledge and use of mobile NGS technologies.

“This is a much needed working group to connect portable sequencing platform users across the DOD,” said Dr. Cory Bernhards, a member of the group who uses mobile NGS methods. “It will boost efficiency and foster collaboration among the different laboratories.”

The mobile NGS forum supports communication and collaboration between DOD and other government laboratories by creating a platform for partners to share protocols and provide training sessions. Participants meet regularly to discuss issues like how to address unique matters related to the way work is conducted in the field and not in a traditional lab - such as how to keep reagents and supplies at safe temperatures and how to perform remote complex computer-based data analysis. They also present use cases of pathogenic viruses including SARS-CoV-2 sequencing results from the Oxford Nanopore MinION, a type of mobile NGS technology.

“This working group will greatly accelerate progress toward fielding sequencing capabilities to serve and protect the warfighter,” said Bernhards.

The working group currently has more than 100 participants from 28 different organizations, including interagency partners from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration.

GEIS will continue to support partners in implementing capabilities for mobile NGS platforms, to set goals for using the technology, and to provide resources to address challenges. Navy Capt. Guillermo Pimentel, chief of GEIS, expressed his optimism for this mobile lab capability. 

"Having a mobile sequencing capability could provide an advantage in the early detection of an infectious disease that could negatively impact our deployed forces." Pimentel also highlighted the potential use of the technology, “The platform could also be used to determine if insects collected as part of regular vector surveillance carry viruses that could cause diseases in an operational setting."

You also may be interested in...

Innovations in Military Medicine Recognized by Military Health System

Article
2/24/2023
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, director of the Defense Health Agency, presents Beverly Luce, senior nurse consultant with DHA’s Primary Care Clinical Management Team, the Federal Military Nursing Leadership Excellence Award. Luce was given the award during the Military Health System awards ceremony at National Harbor, Maryland, on Feb. 16.  

The Military Health System and AMSUS, the society of federal health professionals, presented a series of awards.

Recommended Content:

Our History | Research & Innovation

DHA Director: Technology Helps to “Meet the Patients Where They Are”

Article
2/17/2023
DHA Director Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland speaking at a podium

DHA Director Lt. Gen. Crosland discussed her priorities and the burgeoning role of technology at DHA and within the wider MHS.

Recommended Content:

MHS GENESIS: The Electronic Health Record | Health Care Technology | MHS Video Connect | Telehealth Program | MHS Video Connect

Genome Sequencing Work at U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine

Article
2/16/2023
Military personnel posing by Wright-Patterson AFB sign

U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine technicians and scientists working in Military Health System laboratories helped to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Medical Research and Development | Health Care Technology

Vision Center of Excellence Sponsoring Landmark Eye Health Study

Article
2/8/2023
Military personnel in eye exam

Eye problems can end military careers. Now, there's new study that could launch a better way to screen and track service members' vision heath. See why expanding the current guidelines for routine eye care can help you.

Recommended Content:

Vision Center of Excellence | Vision and Hearing Loss Prevention | Research & Innovation

Genome Sequencing Assists Research at Naval Health Research Center

Article
1/24/2023
Lab technicians doing genome research

Learn how unique samples from naval vessels, US-Mexico border populations, and DOD beneficiaries aided in the Naval Health Research Center’s sequencing efforts.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

U.S. Military HIV Research Lends Lessons Learned to COVID-19

Article
1/19/2023
Gloved hands working in laboratory

The U.S. military has engaged in HIV research for three decades, contributing critical lessons learned, knowledge, and expertise during the COVID-19 research and vaccine development effort.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | DOD HIV/AIDS Prevention Program | Research & Innovation | Coronavirus

Naval Medical Research Center Uses Genome Sequencing for Variants

Article
1/12/2023
Military personnel pose for a group photo

NMRC’s efforts provided important support for sequencing and viral isolation to the Department of Defense and Military Health System.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

“Call for Abstracts” Opens for 2023 MHS Research Symposium

Article
1/10/2023
Attendees enjoying the 2022 MHSRS scientific poster presentation

Preparations for the 2023 MHSRS are currently underway! Learn how you can qualify to present at the DOD's premier scientific meeting for the unique medical needs of the warfighter. (Deadline for abstracts: Feb. 19th)

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | MHS Research Symposium

USAMRIID Focuses on Genome Sequencing to Detect Variants

Article
1/5/2023
Military medical personnel in laboratory

A connected family of laboratories across the MHS allows a more rapid response to the outbreak.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

Whole Genome Sequencing at Tripler Army Medical Center

Article
12/29/2022
Dr. Keith Fong reviews data with other lab technicians

The third installment in a 6-part series highlighting the efforts of the Military Health System laboratories and the technicians who worked to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Research & Innovation | Coronavirus

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Implements SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing

Article
12/23/2022
Military medical personnel in laboratory

This is the second article in a 6-part series that highlights the work of technicians and scientists in Military Health System laboratories who worked to identify COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Global Health Engagement | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Research & Innovation

DHA Leaders Accept Prestigious Award on Behalf of NATO Working Group

Article
12/19/2022
Mark Goodge, DHA Division Chief, accepts award

Recommended Content:

Global Health Engagement | Health Care Technology | Building Partner Capacity and Interoperability | Global Health Security Agenda

Military Labs Use Whole Genome Sequencing of COVID-19 Variants

Article
12/16/2022
Lab technician at work

The first in a 6-part series highlighting the work of technicians and scientists working in support of the MHS who identified COVID-19 variants using special sequencing technology.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Coronavirus & the MHS Response | Coronavirus

DOD Reduces Health Care Waste by Reusing Crutches

Article
12/15/2022
Military personnel using crutches

When military facilities faced a national shortage of an essential mobility aid, they launched a grassroots initiative that not only ensured patient care, but also created a new waste reduction model within the DHA.

Recommended Content:

Warrior Care | Coronavirus & the MHS Response

Blast Overpressure Research Brings NATO Group to DHHQ

Article
12/13/2022
Military personnel fire mortar rounds

DOD and NATO experts recently met to continue their work on warfighter brain health to protect soldiers from the overblast pressure of their weaponry.

Recommended Content:

Research & Innovation | Brain Injury Awareness | Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence
<< < 1 2 3 4 5  ... > >> 
Showing results 1 - 15 Page 1 of 17
Refine your search
Last Updated: December 28, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery