{"id":11625,"date":"2024-08-12T10:19:06","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T14:19:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/?page_id=11625"},"modified":"2025-08-14T06:13:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T10:13:14","slug":"additional-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/genomic-epidemiology\/additional-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Additional Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Definitions<\/h2>\n

Genome Sequencing:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0A variety of laboratory procedures that provide detailed information about the genetic makeup of infectious disease pathogens (germs) that are making people sick.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Gene:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>A specific sequence of DNA or RNA found at a specific location in a genome. Each gene encodes a function within the human body or other organisms (for example<\/span>,<\/span> there are specific genes that produce eye color).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Genome: <\/span><\/b>All of the DNA or RNA found in a cell or virus.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Mutation:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>A change in the genetic sequence of DNA or RNA where nucleotides have been altered, inserted, or deleted.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Phylogenetic Tree:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>A tree-like diagram that shows mutational differences between sequenced DNA or RNA<\/a>.\u00a0 These diagrams show evolutionary changes and genetic relationships between organisms over time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The
The illustration above shows a sketch of a transmission tree with a subset of cases that were sampled (A-E). The colored dots indicate mutations between samples. Source: How to read a phylogenetic tree<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links to More Information<\/h2>\n