Overview

Our group investigates viral pathogens and their interactions with hosts and ecosystems through a One Health lens, integrating metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to link human, animal, and environmental health. We focus on virus discovery, zoonotic transmission, and surveillance to understand how viruses emerge and evolve. By characterising the virome of humans, wildlife, livestock, and sentinel species, we assess spillover risk and identify early signals of high-impact pathogens. We study how deforestation, urbanisation, agriculture, and climate change disrupt ecosystems and intensify host-pathogen contact. Using phylogeography, we trace viral spread across landscapes shaped by trade, migration, and ecological barriers. In response to threats like Disease X, we develop predictive models and genomic early-warning systems based on viral traits and ecological risk factors. Through global collaboration, we develop data-driven strategies to prevent spillovers, track outbreaks, and protect public and planetary health.