Großes Physikalisches Kolloquium | May 10, 16:30
Reconstructing, tracking, and predicting viral spread and evolution
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented genomic and epidemiological surveillance as well as virological characterization in record time. The volume of data and requirement for rapid feedback to decision makers required continuous data analysis and method development to make sense of the data. Multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 have arisen independently from each other and swept the globe over the course of two years. In contrast, endemic RNA viruses we often see co-circulation of variants and gradual emergence of one variant from another. This endemic circulation is characterized by an approximate equilibrium between the build-up and decay of immunity. I will discuss models of the transition from pandemic to endemic circulation, the possibility of speciation, and the drivers of antigenic evolution in SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses. Remote attendance possible via: https://uni-koeln.zoom.us/j/7641714854 Kennwort: 209699
University of Basel
HS III
Contact: Joachim Krug