Investigating Virus Ecology and Evolution

17 January 2023 – After the Covid-19 pandemic struck, new EMBO Installation Grantee Dr. Gytis Dudas was called on to help lead Lithuania’s SARS-CoV-2 surveillance programme. “A couple of months into the initiative, our team of volunteers discovered an important new lineage, documenting its mutations, travel histories, and likely origins,” says Dr. G. Dudas, who is now based at the University of Vilnius. “Once more data became available, higher resolution analyses confirmed my early predictions about this lineage. As a young scientist, it was a hugely validating experience.” 

An expert in genomic epidemiology, Dr. G. Dudas sees huge potential in integrating datasets to explore the evolutionary dynamics of viruses. His team’s work on the accumulated data from metagenomics studies has convinced him of the need to characterise surface proteins of Orthomyxoviridae, the family of RNA viruses that includes influenza. “Taking an orthomyxovirus that commonly infects mosquitoes, we want to gain a better understanding of the distribution of zoonotic risks posed by this virus family,” he explains. “We aim to shine light on how certain viruses spread and evolve quickly, and the role played by key surface proteins in enabling them to transfer between species.” 

Dr. G. Dudas says there is also potential to create models using Orthomyxoviridae that could support wider research into the evolutionary biology of viruses. “Some of the biggest benefits of becoming an EMBO Installation Grantee are the networking and learning opportunities provided, including courses that can guide me in running my lab and team,” he adds. “I am looking forward to helping advance this research at one of Lithuania’s top institutions for life sciences and taking these exciting next steps in my academic career.”

EMBO / By Adam Gristwood