The main theme of my research has been the RNA viruses, particularly their replication and detection. More specifically, this has led me into virus genome sequencing using next generation technologies, and the analysis of the large amounts of generated data. Genome sequencing applications include virus discovery and surveillance, particularly of the arboviruses; molecular epidemiology; understanding virulence and disease emergence; and the detection of unknown viral agents in clinical cases. The development of new chemistries in sequencing will enable rapid and hypothesis-free testing a reality. To achieve this, sequencing at the single-molecule level is being explored. The above approaches will enable rapid diagnosis of viral infections and outbreaks, even to previously unknown agents. It will also mean we are better prepared in terms of responding to emerging diseases.

Keywords:

Virus genome sequencing; next generation sequencing; arbovirus; virus discovery; diagnostics