Collaborative EQA run jointly by GenQA and UK NEQAS for Microbiology
This EQA assesses the quality of SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing. Any platform/technology can be used, and participants will submit FASTA, VCF, FASTQ and BAM files from their analysed data as available. Participants will receive two samples for viral sequencing per distribution (with a total of 8 samples per year).
Distribution schedule:
• Round 1 Dispatch date: 02/06/2025 Close: 11/07/2025
• Round 2 Dispatch date: 25/08/2025 Close: 03/10/2025
• Round 3 Dispatch date: 17/11/2025 Close: 09/01/2026
• Round 4 Dispatch date: 02/03/2026 Close: 10/04/2026
For each distribution, participants will receive a summary spreadsheet detailing all true positive, false positive and false negative variant calls, gaps present in the submitted sequence, and an assessment of data quality if appropriate file types are provided. In addition, for each distribution participants will receive an individual laboratory report and a summary report containing information regarding general findings, a summary of methodologies used, common errors, number of participants and benchmarking.
Access to a live performance certificate is also available to all GenQA participants summarising performance status for all EQAs in which they are enrolled.
Registration:
Participants will be required to register with UK NEQAS for Microbiology.
• Registration, invoicing and shipment costs will be via UK NEQAS for Microbiology. Registration (for existing participants) will open in January 2025 (through the annual re-registration for existing participants for UK NEQAS for Microbiology) and takes place from January through to end February 2025.
• During this time, you will be invited to complete an online re-registration form through the secure website using your UK NEQAS Microbiology lab ID and password, and request for the EQAs you would like to register for, for the new financial year.
• If you are an existing participant of a country served by a distributor, your distributor will contact you to re-register for the new financial year.
• If you are a new participant for the sequencing EQA, UK NEQAS for Microbiology will register your laboratory (in February/March 2025) at which time you will receive joining instructions.
Existing participants can continue to use their GenQA account to submit results and view reports. New participants will receive GenQA account details after registration with UK NEQAS for Microbiology.