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SUMMARY:From Endemic to Pandemic: The promise & utility of real-time phylo
 genetics
DTSTART:20220706T150000
DTEND:20220706T160000
DTSTAMP:20260916T010710Z
UID:7ef0d53a9fe5f7112244d4b1ef2ff920ed15b55396e6efbd19e022e8
CATEGORIES:Conferences - Seminars
DESCRIPTION:Emma B. Hodcroft\, PhD\, ISPM\, University of Bern\, Switzerla
 nd\nThe current COVID-19 pandemic has brought phylogenetics to the fore\, 
 highlighting how real-time sequencing can enable invaluable insights into 
 how a pathogen spreads and changes over time.\nWhen a new variant first ca
 tches the attention of scientists and governments\, one of the most critic
 al questions is whether it has a significant impact on transmission\, immu
 ne evasion\, and/or clinical outcome. However\, this can be difficult to d
 etermine. SARS-CoV-2 variant 20E (EU1) spread from Spain and dominated Eur
 ope in the autumn of 2020\, and was initially feared to be more-transmissi
 ble. But by integrating phylogenetics\, mobile phone roaming data\, and mo
 delling\, we showed that travel and behaviour were the most important fact
 ors in EU1’s success.\nMany variants of concern identified since then do
  show concerning increases in transmissibility and immune evasion. To help
  track and monitor existing and emerging variants\, I developed CoVariants
 .org\, an interactive platform that combines variant frequency dynamics wi
 th focal phylogenies  and curated information.\nAs immunity through previ
 ous infection and vaccination is key in ending the pandemic\, a better und
 erstanding of how SARS-CoV-2 evolution and long-term immunity is critical\
 , particularly as the virus moves from pandemic to endemic.  My previous 
 work on pathogens like Enterovirus D68\, which almost everyone is exposed 
 to by adulthood\, highlights that even pathogens that do not cause serious
  illness can offer insights into reinfection\, the epidemiology of antigen
 ically evolving pathogens and the importance of effects like ‘original a
 ntigenic sin’.\nWe are surrounded by tens to hundreds of pathogens that 
 have adapted to living alongside human immunity – continuously circulati
 ng but not commonly causing serious disease. By harnessing the tools and i
 nsights gained in the pandemic and turning the lens of sequencing to these
  pathogens\, we can truly enhance our understanding of virus evolution.\n
  
LOCATION:AI 1153 https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==AI%201153
STATUS:CONFIRMED
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