UC Santa Cruz is drawing on its expertise in genomics and data sharing to lead a new, state-sponsored public health program, made official on August 18, 2021. The California Dept. of Public Health (CDPH)-sponsored program will allow public health experts to use virus genomes to track who is catching the virus and how. While ensuring its tools are both effective and secure, the team will deliver a final product designed to help shepherd California out of the current pandemic.