Virus evolution

Virus evolution. Experimental evolution. Viral emergence. Virological factors promoting cross-species transmission. Viral tropism mediated by receptor binding proteins. Viral metagenomics. Analysis of the plasma virome in human populations. Virus discovery in wild species. Virus-virus interactions and how they determine viral fitness, drug resistance, and genetic diversity. Rates of spontaneous mutation and other sources of viral genetic diversity. Mathematical modeling. Use of deterministic models and simulations to model viral infections and viral evolution. Directed evolution. Use of evolutionary techniques for improving the efficacy of virus-based therapies, including oncolytic virotherapy (using vesicular stomatitis virus) and phage therapy. Drug discovery. Screening of compounds using model viruses.