Discipline A: Microbiology Track 4: Whole Genome Sequencing Abstract: The Nevada State Public Health Laboratory (NSPHL) seeks to maintain the capacity and capability to perform Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) on foodborne illness pathogens. WGS studies show the relatedness of isolates to other identified isolates uploaded to various tracking databases. This allows officials to monitor pathogen genetic sequences and determine if there are clusters or widespread pockets of “like” organisms being reported. Such real-time review of organisms identified nationally, allows investigators to be alerted of a potential issue and to initiate an investigation of foods consumed by sickened individuals and/or pathogens identified from surveillance/outbreak related food items. This ability to monitor food related pathogens detected nationally provides the ability to recognize tainted foods and elicit a rapid response to remove the foods from markets to protect the public.