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
Genome Sequence of a Microvirus Recovered from Wastewater in Arizona, USA, in October 2020, Encodes a Previously Undescribed DNA-Binding Protein
Genome Sequence of a Microvirus Recovered from Wastewater in Arizona, USA, in October 2020, Encodes a Previously Undescribed DNA-Binding ProteinSmith, A., Kaiser, N., Yanez, A., Perleberg, T., Elyaderani, A., Skidmore, P., Adhikari, S., Driver, E. M., Halden, R. U., Varsani, A., Scotch, M. & Faleye, T. O. C., Oct 2022, In: Microbiology Resource Announcements. 11, … Read more
A novel statovirus identified in fecal samples from wild geladas in the Ethiopian highlands
A novel statovirus identified in fecal samples from wild geladas in the Ethiopian highlands Schneider-Crease, I. A., Chiou, K. L., Moya, I. L., Lemma, A., Ayele, F., Haile, A. A., Kebede, F., Abebe, B., Bergman, T. J., Beehner, J. C., Lu, A., Lund, M. C., Custer, J. M., Kraberger, S., Snyder-Mackler, N. & Varsani, A., … Read more
Molecular identification and phylogenetic characterization of A-strain isolates of maize streak virus from western Ethiopia
Molecular identification and phylogenetic characterization of A-strain isolates of maize streak virus from western Ethiopia Ketsela, D., Oyeniran, K. A., Feyissa, B., Fontenele, R. S., Kraberger, S. & Varsani, A., 2022, (Accepted/In press) In: Archives of virology. Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Genome Sequences of Anelloviruses, Genomovirus, and Papillomavirus Isolated from Nasal Pharyngeal Swabs
Genome Sequences of Anelloviruses, Genomovirus, and Papillomavirus Isolated from Nasal Pharyngeal Swabs Collins, C. L., Kraberger, S., Fontenele, R. S., Faleye, T. O. C., Adams, D., Adhikari, S., Sandrolini, H., Finnerty, S., Halden, R. U., Scotch, M. & Varsani, A., Sep 2022, In: Microbiology Resource Announcements. 11, 9 Research output: Contribution to journal › Article … Read more
RNA Virus Gene Signatures Detected in Patients With Cardiomyopathy After Chemotherapy; A Pilot Study
RNA Virus Gene Signatures Detected in Patients With Cardiomyopathy After Chemotherapy; A Pilot Study Varkoly, K., Tan, S., Beladi, R., Fonseca, D., Zanetti, I. R., Kraberger, S., Shah, C., Yaron, J. R., Zhang, L., Juby, M., Fath, A., Ambadapadi, S., House, M., Maranian, P., Pepine, C. J., Varsani, A., Moreb, J., Schultz-Cherry, S. & Lucas, … Read more
Surveillance of rhinovirus diversity among a university community identifies multiple types from all three species including an unassigned rhinovirus A genotype
Surveillance of rhinovirus diversity among a university community identifies multiple types from all three species including an unassigned rhinovirus A genotype Faleye, T. O. C., Elyaderani, A., Skidmore, P., Adhikari, S., Smith, A., Kaiser, N., Sandrolini, H., Finnerty, S., Halden, R. U., Varsani, A. & Scotch, M., 2022, (Accepted/In press) In: Influenza and other Respiratory … Read more
