History of the Pango Network
From a rapid pandemic response to a global standard in genomic surveillance.
April 2020
Inception of the Pango Nomenclature
In response to the rapidly growing number of SARS-CoV-2 sequences, a team of scientists led by Andrew Rambaut proposes a dynamic, hierarchical nomenclature system to track emerging lineages. The goal is to create a common language for genomic epidemiology.
July 2020
Publication of the Foundational Paper
The paper "A dynamic nomenclature proposal for SARS-CoV-2 lineages to assist genomic epidemiology" is published in Nature Microbiology, formally introducing the Pango system to the global scientific community.
May 2020
Launch of the Pangolin Tool
The first version of the Pangolin software is released. This command-line tool allows researchers worldwide to rapidly assign Pango lineages to their own SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences, standardizing analysis globally.
September 2020
Designation of Alpha (B.1.1.7)
The Pango system is used to designate lineage B.1.1.7, later named the Alpha variant by the WHO. Its rapid spread in the UK highlights the critical importance of the nomenclature for tracking Variants of Concern (VOCs).
December 2020
Designation of Beta (B.1.351)
Lineage B.1.351, first identified in South Africa and later named the Beta variant, is designated. It contains several mutations of concern, including E484K, which is associated with immune evasion.
October 2020
Designation of Delta (B.1.617.2)
Lineage B.1.617.2 is designated, first identified in India. It would later be named the Delta variant and go on to cause a massive global wave of infections due to its increased transmissibility.
May 2021
Introduction of Recombinant Lineage Naming (X-prefix)
To handle lineages arising from recombination events between two different parent lineages, the "X" prefix is introduced. This provides a systematic way to classify complex evolutionary events.
November 2021
Designation of Omicron (B.1.1.529)
The highly mutated B.1.1.529 lineage is designated, first identified in South Africa. It is quickly named the Omicron variant by the WHO and leads to an unprecedented surge in cases worldwide, with many sub-lineages (BA.1, BA.2, etc.) emerging.
Early 2022
Rise of Omicron Sub-lineages
The Pango system expands rapidly to track the explosion of Omicron sub-lineages, including BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5, each with different growth advantages and immune characteristics, demonstrating the system's flexibility.
Late 2022
Tracking "Scrabble" Recombinants
An increasing number of recombinant lineages, many of them descendants of Omicron, are designated with "X" prefixes (e.g., XBB). These "Scrabble" variants highlight the ongoing complexity of SARS-CoV-2 evolution.