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Population Biology of Infectious Disease
Evolutionary genetics & molecular epidemiology
We have been characterizing the sequence variation in RNA viruses (especially rabies and Ebola) in order to understand the ecological dynamics and the molecular evolution of viruses during the course of disease emergence. Often the data can be recovered from both historical and contemporary samples providing a unique capacity to simultaneously assess ecological patterns and evolutionary process.
Recent publications:
- Walsh, P. D., R. Biek, and L. A. Real. 2005. "Wave-like spread of Ebola Zaire." PloS Biology 3: 1-8.
- Real, L. A., J. C. Henderson, R. Biek, J. Snaman, T. Lambert-Jack, J. E. Childs, E. Stahl. L. Waller, R. Tinline, and S. Nadin-Davis. 2005. "Unifying the spatial population dynamics and molecular evolution of epidemic rabies virus." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 102: 12107-12111.
We model the spatial dynamics of zoonotic emergence (particularly rabies virus). We also construct dynamic models of pathogen invasions coupled to optimal control strategies for vaccine delivery.
Recent publications:
- Real, L.A., C. A. Russell, L. Waller, D. Smith and J. E. Childs. 2005. "Spatial dynamics and molecular ecology of North American rabies." Journal of Heredity 96: 1-8.
- Russell, C. A., D.L. Smith, J.E. Childs, and L.A. Real. 2005. "Predictive spatial dynamics and strategic planning for raccoon rabies emergence in Ohio." PLoS 3: 382-389.
We are examining the population dynamics and evolutionary genetics of several zoonotic diseases including rabies, Ebola, and hantavirus. We also explore the ecological aspects of malaria emergence and control.
Recent publications:
- Real, L.A., J.E. Childs. 2006. "Spatial-temporal dynamics of rabies in ecological communities." pp. 168-185. In S.K. Collinge and C. Ray (eds.) Disease Ecology: Community structure and pathogen dynamics. Oxford, University Press.
- Walsh, P. D., R. Biek, and L. A. Real. 2005. "Wave-like spread of Ebola Zaire." PloS Biology 3: 1-8.
Molecular Evolution & Evolutionary Genetics
Experimental Evolution
RNA viruses are characterized by extremely fast evolution and we have been exploiting this property to understand the evolution of host specialization in pathogens. We are experimenting with rabies viruses in cell culture to ascertain the molecular basis of variation in virulence and replication in different hosts.
Population and comparative genomics
We have been characterizing the sequence variation in RNA viruses (especially rabies and Ebola) in order to understand the ecological dynamics and the molecular evolution of viruses during the course of disease emergence. Often the data can be recovered from both historical and contemporary samples providing a unique capacity to simultaneously assess ecological patterns and evolutionary process.
Recent publications:
- Walsh, P. D., R. Biek, and L. A. Real. 2005. "Wave-like spread of Ebola Zaire." PloS Biology 3: 1-8.
- Real, L. A., J. C. Henderson, R. Biek, J. Snaman, T. Lambert-Jack, J. E. Childs, E. Stahl. L. Waller, R. Tinline, and S. Nadin-Davis. 2005. "Unifying the spatial population dynamics and molecular evolution of epidemic rabies virus." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 102: 12107-12111.