Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 between and within hosts

Seminar

QUEST Center event

No

Speaker

Daniel Weissman

Date

03/07/2023 - 11:30 - 10:30Add to Calendar 2023-07-03 10:30:10 2023-07-03 11:30:11 Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 between and within hosts The global population of SARS-CoV-2 is structured into discrete infections within hosts. How does this affect the evolution of the pandemic? First, I will show how one can use the evolution between pairs of hosts to infer how many virus particles contribute to a new infection. Second, I will discuss how the observed timing and dynamics of the Variants of Concern suggest that rare chronic infections are the key drivers of global infection. Finally, I will briefly touch on a case study of rapid evolution and diversification within a chronic infection. Rm 303 Department of Physics physics.dept@mail.biu.ac.il Asia/Jerusalem public

Place

Rm 303

Abstract

The global population of SARS-CoV-2 is structured into discrete infections within hosts. How does this affect the evolution of the pandemic? First, I will show how one can use the evolution between pairs of hosts to infer how many virus particles contribute to a new infection. Second, I will discuss how the observed timing and dynamics of the Variants of Concern suggest that rare chronic infections are the key drivers of global infection. Finally, I will briefly touch on a case study of rapid evolution and diversification within a chronic infection.