NLM Reassigns Status of 242 SARS-CoV-2 Sequences in the Sequence Read Archive

As part of ongoing efforts to ensure the availability of data and information essential to scientific discovery and pandemic response, NLM's Sequence Read Archive (SRA) team has reassigned the status of data for 242 SARS-CoV-2 sequences previously removed from public access in the SRA.

Following an independent review of SRA processes and procedures, it was determined that data for 242 SARS-CoV-2 sequences submitted to SRA in 2020, and subsequently requested for removal based on the submitter’s request, were managed in a manner inconsistent with SRA policies and procedures. According to the submitter, the data was being deposited in a different database.

Data for the 242 SARS-CoV-2 sequences in question were given the status of ‘withdrawn,’ which removes sequencing data from all public means of access but does not delete them. The sequences in question should have been given the status of ‘suppressed,’ which means that sequencing data are removed from the search process but remain available to the public and can be directly found by accession number.

The SRA team has reassigned the status of all affected sequences. The affected sequences are noted below.

              Range of sequence accession numbers are SRR11313269 through SRR11313509 and SRR11931188

To improve SRA operations and help ensure consistency with policies and procedures, NLM is strengthening SRA oversight and business processes with more consistent and systematic quality controls, retraining staff, and improving documentation of policies and procedures.

See NLM statement for more information.