Research themes

Metagenomics for pathogen discovery and detection

Analysis of the entirety of nucleotide sequences present in a bulk clinical or environmental sample. Metagenomics-powered surveillance and analysis have proven very useful in the discovery of novel / uncommon pathogens.

Metagenomics for pathogen discovery and detection

Pathogen genome characterization

Collective characterization and quantification of the entire set of genes / genetic elements in a microbial genome, and their interrelations and influence on the organism.

Phylodynamics / genomic epidemiology

A field that seeks to describe pathogen transmission dynamics over space and time in a specified host population by using evolutionary analysis of pathogen genome sequences and their associated metadata.

Phylodynamics

Macroevolution of pathogens

Studying patterns on the tree of life above the species level, and inferring the processes that likely have generated these patterns. Results from the evolutionary analysis can be applied to the development of whole genome-based pathogen classification schemes.

Macroevolution

Pathogen-host-environment interaction

The study of how pathogens sustain themselves within their hosts, and how the process is shaped and affected by the environment, gives rise to the ultimate disease outcomes seen in the host organisms.

Pathogen-host-environment interaction