Integrating patient metadata and pathogen genomic data: advancing pandemic preparedness with a multi-parametric simulator

Abstract Stakeholder training is essential for handling unexpected crises swiftly, safely, and effectively. Functional and tabletop exercises simulate potential public health crises using complex scenarios with realistic data. These scenarios are designed by integrating datasets that represent popul...

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Main Authors: Bonjean Maxime, Ambroise Jérôme, Orchard Francisco, Sentis Alexis, Hurel Julie, Hayes Jessica S., Connolly Máire A., Jean-Luc Gala
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Research Notes
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07207-1
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author Bonjean Maxime
Ambroise Jérôme
Orchard Francisco
Sentis Alexis
Hurel Julie
Hayes Jessica S.
Connolly Máire A.
Jean-Luc Gala
author_facet Bonjean Maxime
Ambroise Jérôme
Orchard Francisco
Sentis Alexis
Hurel Julie
Hayes Jessica S.
Connolly Máire A.
Jean-Luc Gala
author_sort Bonjean Maxime
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Stakeholder training is essential for handling unexpected crises swiftly, safely, and effectively. Functional and tabletop exercises simulate potential public health crises using complex scenarios with realistic data. These scenarios are designed by integrating datasets that represent populations exposed to a pandemic pathogen, combining pathogen genomic data generated through high-throughput sequencing (HTS) together with patient epidemiological, clinical, and demographic information. However, data sharing between EU member states faces challenges due to disparities in data collection practices, standardisation, legal frameworks, privacy, security regulations, and resource allocation. In the Horizon 2020 PANDEM-2 project, we developed a multi-parametric training tool that links pathogen genomic data and metadata, enabling training managers to enhance datasets and customise scenarios for more accurate simulations. The tool is available as an R package: https://github.com/maous1/Pandem2simulator and as a Shiny application: https://uclouvain-ctma.Shinyapps.io/Multi-parametricSimulator/ , facilitating rapid scenario simulations. A structured training procedure, complete with video tutorials and exercises, was shown to be effective and user-friendly during a training session with twenty PANDEM-2 participants. In conclusion, this tool enhances training for pandemics and public health crises preparedness by integrating complex pathogen genomic data and patient contextual metadata into training simulations. The increased realism of these scenarios significantly improves emergency responder readiness, regardless of the biological incident’s nature, whether natural, accidental, or intentional.
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spelling doaj-art-25987737dcd54311ba799eab7a7b0d662025-08-20T02:17:53ZengBMCBMC Research Notes1756-05002025-04-011811910.1186/s13104-025-07207-1Integrating patient metadata and pathogen genomic data: advancing pandemic preparedness with a multi-parametric simulatorBonjean Maxime0Ambroise Jérôme1Orchard Francisco2Sentis Alexis3Hurel Julie4Hayes Jessica S.5Connolly Máire A.6Jean-Luc Gala7Centre for Applied Molecular Technologies (CTMA), Experimental and Clinical Research Institute (IREC)Centre for Applied Molecular Technologies (CTMA), Experimental and Clinical Research Institute (IREC)EpiconceptEpiconceptCentre for Applied Molecular Technologies (CTMA), Experimental and Clinical Research Institute (IREC)School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of GalwaySchool of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of GalwayCentre for Applied Molecular Technologies (CTMA), Experimental and Clinical Research Institute (IREC)Abstract Stakeholder training is essential for handling unexpected crises swiftly, safely, and effectively. Functional and tabletop exercises simulate potential public health crises using complex scenarios with realistic data. These scenarios are designed by integrating datasets that represent populations exposed to a pandemic pathogen, combining pathogen genomic data generated through high-throughput sequencing (HTS) together with patient epidemiological, clinical, and demographic information. However, data sharing between EU member states faces challenges due to disparities in data collection practices, standardisation, legal frameworks, privacy, security regulations, and resource allocation. In the Horizon 2020 PANDEM-2 project, we developed a multi-parametric training tool that links pathogen genomic data and metadata, enabling training managers to enhance datasets and customise scenarios for more accurate simulations. The tool is available as an R package: https://github.com/maous1/Pandem2simulator and as a Shiny application: https://uclouvain-ctma.Shinyapps.io/Multi-parametricSimulator/ , facilitating rapid scenario simulations. A structured training procedure, complete with video tutorials and exercises, was shown to be effective and user-friendly during a training session with twenty PANDEM-2 participants. In conclusion, this tool enhances training for pandemics and public health crises preparedness by integrating complex pathogen genomic data and patient contextual metadata into training simulations. The increased realism of these scenarios significantly improves emergency responder readiness, regardless of the biological incident’s nature, whether natural, accidental, or intentional.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07207-1Multi-parametric simulatorPandemicsNaturalAccidental or intentional biological incidentTrainingPreparedness
spellingShingle Bonjean Maxime
Ambroise Jérôme
Orchard Francisco
Sentis Alexis
Hurel Julie
Hayes Jessica S.
Connolly Máire A.
Jean-Luc Gala
Integrating patient metadata and pathogen genomic data: advancing pandemic preparedness with a multi-parametric simulator
BMC Research Notes
Multi-parametric simulator
Pandemics
Natural
Accidental or intentional biological incident
Training
Preparedness
title Integrating patient metadata and pathogen genomic data: advancing pandemic preparedness with a multi-parametric simulator
title_full Integrating patient metadata and pathogen genomic data: advancing pandemic preparedness with a multi-parametric simulator
title_fullStr Integrating patient metadata and pathogen genomic data: advancing pandemic preparedness with a multi-parametric simulator
title_full_unstemmed Integrating patient metadata and pathogen genomic data: advancing pandemic preparedness with a multi-parametric simulator
title_short Integrating patient metadata and pathogen genomic data: advancing pandemic preparedness with a multi-parametric simulator
title_sort integrating patient metadata and pathogen genomic data advancing pandemic preparedness with a multi parametric simulator
topic Multi-parametric simulator
Pandemics
Natural
Accidental or intentional biological incident
Training
Preparedness
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-025-07207-1
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