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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Building an Integrated Genetic Infectious Disease Epidemiology Approach

Objective

Epidemiology and public health planning will increasingly rely on the analysis of genetic sequence data. The recent swine-derived influenza A/H1N1 pandemic may represent a tipping point in this trend, as it is arguably the first time when multiple strains of a human pathogen have been sequenced essentially in real time from the very beginning of its spread. However, the full potential of genetic information cannot be fully exploited to infer the spread of epidemics due to the lack of statistical methodologies capable of reconstructing transmission routes from genetic data structured both in time and space. To address this urgent need, we propose to develop a methodological framework for the reconstruction of the spatiotemporal dynamics of disease outbreaks and epidemics based on genetic sequence data. Rather than reconstructing most recent common ancestors as in phylogenetics, we will directly infer the most likely ancestries among the sampled isolates. This represents an entirely novel paradigm and allows for the development of statistically coherent and powerful inference software within a Bayesian framework. The methodological framework will be developed in parallel with the analysis of real genetic/genomic data from important human pathogens. We will in particular focus on the 2009 A/H1N1 pandemic influenza, methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clones (MRSAs), Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a fungus currently devastating amphibian populations worldwide. The tools we are proposing to develop are likely to impact radically on the field of infectious disease epidemiology and affect the way infectious emerging pathogens are monitored by biologists and public health professionals.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2010-StG_20091118
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant

Host institution

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
EU contribution
€ 1 312 678,19
Total cost

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No data

Beneficiaries (2)

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