ARTICLES
Stimulus Material for depth studies, courtesy of Macquarie University (continued)
Understanding how the virulence of viruses evolves
A new framework to help evolutionary biologists better understand how the harmfulness, or virulence, of viruses
evolves when they jump to a new host species has been proposed by a Macquarie researcher.
The paper, published in Nature Reviews Genetics, suggests adopting a phylogenomic approach.
Phylogenomics is the joining of evolution and genetics. It involves reconstructing evolutionary relationships by
comparing whole genome sequences.
“With recent advances in real-time genomics during disease outbreaks and the increased demand for precision
in public health interventions, we believe this will help develop a new understanding of how the harmfulness of
pathogens evolves,” says lead author Jemma Geoghegan from Macquarie University’s Department of Biological
Sciences.
“We’re hoping this work may contribute to new strategies allowing us to better control and eradicate pathogens.
“It also has the potential to inform and improve the fields of disease management, and the biological control of
invasive pests.”
“It’s not feasible to predict where and when a new disease might emerge because of the immense complexities
involved,” she says, “but using this framework, it might be possible to predict how the virulence of a virus will
evolve in a new host species.”
Find out more
Photo of Ebola virus particles on the surface of a VERO cell by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases (NIAID).
Syllabus link: B
iology Modules 5,6 and 7
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
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SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 68 NO 1