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
07/2016 - Current: 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
Characterization of Cucurbit Aphid-Borne Yellows Virus (CABYV) from Passion Fruit in Brazil: Evidence of a Complex of Species within CABYV Isolates
Characterization of Cucurbit Aphid-Borne Yellows Virus (CABYV) from Passion Fruit in Brazil: Evidence of a Complex of Species within CABYV IsolatesVidal, A. H., Lacorte, C., Sanches, M. M., Alves-Freitas, D. M. T., Abreu, E. F. M., Pinheiro-Lima, B., Rosa, R. C. C., Jesus, O. N., Campos, M. A., Felix, G. P., Abreu, A. C. R., … Read more
Diverse DNA virus genomes identified in fecal samples of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) captured in Chiricahua Mountains of southeast Arizona (USA)
Diverse DNA virus genomes identified in fecal samples of Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) captured in Chiricahua Mountains of southeast Arizona (USA) Harding, C., Larsen, B. B., Otto, H. W., Potticary, A. L., Kraberger, S., Custer, J. M., Suazo, C., Upham, N. S., Worobey, M., Van Doorslaer, K. & Varsani, A., Mar 2023, In: Virology. … Read more
Diverse Microvirus Genomes Identified in the Stomach of a Sharp-Spined Notothen (Trematomus pennellii) from the Ross Sea (East Antarctica)
Diverse Microvirus Genomes Identified in the Stomach of a Sharp-Spined Notothen (Trematomus pennellii) from the Ross Sea (East Antarctica) Lopez, J. K. M., Austin, C., Farkas, K., Kraberger, S., Davison, W. & Varsani, A., Feb 2023, In: Microbiology Resource Announcements. 12, 2 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Guidance for creating individual and batch latinized binomial virus species names
Guidance for creating individual and batch latinized binomial virus species names Postler, T. S., Rubino, L., Adriaenssens, E. M., Dutilh, B. E., Harrach, B., Junglen, S., Kropinski, A. M., Krupovic, M., Wada, J., Crane, A., Kuhn, J. H., Mushegian, A., Rūmnieks, J., Sabanadzovic, S., Simmonds, P., Varsani, A., Zerbini, F. M., Callanan, J., Draper, L. … Read more
Genome Sequences of Anelloviruses, a Genomovirus, Microviruses, Polyomaviruses, and an Unclassified Caudovirus Identified in Vaginal Secretions from South African Adolescents
Genome Sequences of Anelloviruses, a Genomovirus, Microviruses, Polyomaviruses, and an Unclassified Caudovirus Identified in Vaginal Secretions from South African Adolescents Jimoh, A. O., Balle, C., Brown, B., Feng, C., Havyarimana, E., Konstantinus, I. N., Gill, K., Bekker, L. G., Passmore, J. A. S., Jaspan, H. B., Varsani, A. & Happel, A. U., Jan 2023, In: … Read more
Novel polyomaviruses identified in fecal samples from four carnivore species
Novel polyomaviruses identified in fecal samples from four carnivore species Kraberger, S., Serieys, L. E. K., Riley, S. P. D., Schmidlin, K., Newkirk, E. S., Squires, J. R., Buck, C. B. & Varsani, A., Jan 2023, In: Archives of virology. 168, 1, 18. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
