42 U.S.C. § 300hh–34 — Genomic sequencing, analytics, and public health surveillance of pathogens program

(a) Genomic sequencing, analytics, and public health surveillance of pathogens program. The Secretary, acting through the CDC Director and working with the National Institutes of Health and other agencies, must strengthen and expand genomic sequencing of pathogens — including new technology to detect, characterize, and sequence pathogens, plus analytics and surveillance. This includes: (1) continuing and expanding activities (including existing "advanced molecular detection" sequencing work) to (A) identify and respond to new infectious disease threats, and (B) find and use genomic sequencing technology, advanced computing, and other advanced tech for surveillance; (2) giving technical assistance and guidance to state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments — including those already funded under section 300hh–31 — so they can do more genomic sequencing themselves; (3) training the public health workforce in pathogen genomics, epidemiology, and bioinformatics; and (4) continuing and expanding work with public and private partners, including agencies, labs, universities, and industry. (b) Partnerships. To carry out subsection (a), the CDC Director may award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to entities — including academic and other labs — with expertise in genomic sequencing for public health, including new detection and sequencing technology. (c) Centers of excellence. (1) In general. The Secretary may award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to public health agencies to run "centers of excellence" that push forward pathogen genomics and molecular epidemiology, to help control and respond to pathogens that could cause a public health emergency. These centers should, as appropriate: (A) study genomics and related technology that could improve public health preparedness and response; (B) improve tools that combine and analyze genomic and epidemiological data; (C) help with genomic surveillance of infectious diseases, including analyzing pathogen genomic data; (D) do applied research to improve surveillance of and response to infectious diseases through genomics and molecular epidemiology; and (E) create and share training materials for experts in genomics, microbiology, bioinformatics, epidemiology, and related fields. (2) Requirements. To get this funding, an entity must apply to the Secretary with the required information, including a description of how it will partner with academic institutions or a group of academic partners who have relevant expertise, such as microbial genomics, molecular epidemiology, or applying bioinformatics or statistics.