Varsani Lab - the viral kind
We are a wild 'viral' molecular virology research group that works across ecosystems studying viral dynamics.
Our broader objectives are to
- Study viral dynamics in Ross Sea (Antarctica) ecosystem which is recognised as anthropogenically the least-altered marine system on the planet with no evidence indicating introduction or range expansion of any species thus far, despite its changing physical environment.
- Unravel the viral evolutionary dynamics as a consequence of climate change.
- Study viral ecological interaction networks within a microbiome to unravel the dynamics of pathogen emergence.
Arvind Varsani
I am a molecular virologist who works across ecosystems from plants to animals and from the tropics to the Antarctic. My research uses a combination of traditional virology, microscopy (including transmission electron microscopy), molecular and cellular biology techniques in conjunction with modern sequencing techniques, synthetic biology and bioinformatics to characterise viruses and understand their dynamics.
Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
6/2023 - current: Professor at the Biodesign Institute and School of Life Sciences
07/2016 - 6/2023: Associate Professor at the Biodesign Institute and School of Life Sciences
University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
02/2009 - 07/2016: Senior lecturer / researcher in School of Biological Sciences
University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
07/2003 - 09/2008: Lecturer in the Structural Biology Research Unit
University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
1998 - 2003: PhD in Molecular and cell biology
Loughborough University, Loughborough, England
1993 - 1997: BSc, DIS in Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Publications
Diverse Circular DNA Viral Communities in Blood, Oral, and Fecal Samples of Captive Lemurs
Diverse Circular DNA Viral Communities in Blood, Oral, and Fecal Samples of Captive LemursPaietta, E. N., Kraberger, S., Lund, M. C., Vargas, K. L., Custer, J. M., Ehmke, E., Yoder, A. D. & Varsani, A., Jul 2024, In: Viruses. 16, 7, 1099.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Occurrence of astrovirus in young racing pigeons and genome characterization of 2 new astrovirus genomes representing 2 new species
Occurrence of astrovirus in young racing pigeons and genome characterization of 2 new astrovirus genomes representing 2 new species Łukaszuk, E., Dziewulska, D., Custer, J. M., Kraberger, S., Varsani, A. & Stenzel, T., Sep 2024, In: Poultry science. 103, 9, 104028. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Metagenome-assembled microvirus and cressdnavirus genomes from fecal samples of house mice (Mus musculus)
Metagenome-assembled microvirus and cressdnavirus genomes from fecal samples of house mice (Mus musculus) Paietta, E. N., Kraberger, S., Custer, J. M., Vargas, K. L., Ehmke, E., Yoder, A. D. & Varsani, A., Jun 2024, In: Microbiology Resource Announcements. 13, 6 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Genomes of cressdnaviruses, microviruses, a gyrovirus, and a caudovirus identified in the fecal samples of a mallard and double-crested cormorant
Genomes of cressdnaviruses, microviruses, a gyrovirus, and a caudovirus identified in the fecal samples of a mallard and double-crested cormorant Khalifeh, A., Sahnan, S., Kale, S., Olivo, D., Lund, M. C., Kraberger, S. & Varsani, A., Jun 2024, In: Microbiology Resource Announcements. 13, 6 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
African army ants at the forefront of virome surveillance in a remote tropical forest
African army ants at the forefront of virome surveillance in a remote tropical forest Fritz, M., Reggiardo, B., Filloux, D., Claude, L., Fernandez, E., Mahé, F., Kraberger, S., Custer, J. M., Becquart, P., Mebaley, T. N., Kombila, L. B., Lenguiya, L. H., Boundenga, L., Mombo, I. M., Maganga, G. D., Niama, F. R., Koumba, J. … Read more
The pigeon circovirus evolution, epidemiology and interaction with the host immune system under One Loft Race rearing conditions
The pigeon circovirus evolution, epidemiology and interaction with the host immune system under One Loft Race rearing conditions Stenzel, T., Dziewulska, D., Łukaszuk, E., Custer, J. M., De Koch, M. D., Kraberger, S. & Varsani, A., Dec 2024, In: Scientific reports. 14, 1, 13815. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
