EESS talk on "Viruses as pollutants of aquatic ecosystems: on the edge of die-off and survival"
Event details
| Date | 14.03.2017 |
| Hour | 12:15 › 13:15 |
| Speaker |
Dr Anna Carratalà Ripolles, scientist, LCE (Environmental Chemistry Laboratory), ENAC, EPFL (Switzerland) Short biography: Dr. Anna Carratalà obtained her degree in Biology at the University of Barcelona, where she also received a Master degree on “Advanced Microbiology” and her PhD in the field of Environmental Microbiology. Dr. Carratalà is currently working in the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory at EPFL, investigating the effect of the environment on the diversity, ecology and adaptation of aquatic microorganisms and viruses, including waterborne pathogens. |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Abstract:
Viruses are the most abundant entities in aquatic ecosystems and play important roles in the nature, such as contributing to the global biogeochemical cycles or promoting gene transfer between organisms and species. A small fraction of the viruses present in water are instead capable of infecting human species and represent major source of disease worldwide. Enteric viruses are excreted in urine and faeces in very high concentrations and are consequently present in wastewater, being thus considered biological pollutants. These viruses can remain infectious during water treatment practices and are readily detected in surface waters. Moreover, in coastal areas waterborne viruses are known to bioaccumulate in bivalves such as mussels and oysters, leading to foodborne infections. While waterborne viruses may appear structurally simple, they master the art of survival in aquatic ecosystems. In this talk, I will discuss the abiotic and biotic environmental factors that challenge the persistence of human pathogens in water, and the mechanisms that allow such simple entities to succeed in their long journey to encounter a new human host.
Viruses are the most abundant entities in aquatic ecosystems and play important roles in the nature, such as contributing to the global biogeochemical cycles or promoting gene transfer between organisms and species. A small fraction of the viruses present in water are instead capable of infecting human species and represent major source of disease worldwide. Enteric viruses are excreted in urine and faeces in very high concentrations and are consequently present in wastewater, being thus considered biological pollutants. These viruses can remain infectious during water treatment practices and are readily detected in surface waters. Moreover, in coastal areas waterborne viruses are known to bioaccumulate in bivalves such as mussels and oysters, leading to foodborne infections. While waterborne viruses may appear structurally simple, they master the art of survival in aquatic ecosystems. In this talk, I will discuss the abiotic and biotic environmental factors that challenge the persistence of human pathogens in water, and the mechanisms that allow such simple entities to succeed in their long journey to encounter a new human host.
Practical information
- General public
- Free
- This event is internal
Organizer
- EESS - IIE
Contact
- Prof. Tamar Kohn,associate professor & head LCE