Session II: Unraveling the complexities of RNA and DNA viruses

Session II: Unraveling the complexities of RNA and DNA viruses

Examples of the evolution of virus disease, the impact of lineage evolution on pathogenicity, and the consequences for classifying and responding to particular virus threats.


Moderator
James Rodney Brister, PhD, NCBI

Panel and Session Topics [15-minute talks]
Evolution, epidemiology, and RNA virus disease
Justin Bahl, PhD, University of Georgia

The evolution of influenza A virus at the human-animal interface
Tavis Anderson, PhD, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Filovirus sub-species nomenclature
Jens H. Kuhn, PhD, NIH/NIAID/DCR Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick

Rotavirus diversity, evolution, and lineage classification
Celeste Donato, PhD, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Monkeypox virus sub-species evolution
Elliot Lefkowitz, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Q&A Panel Discussions [20 Minutes]

How are viruses classified?
What biological and genetic features are used to support classification?
Are complete genomic sequences required to support classification or are specific subgenomic regions sufficient?
Are there common characteristics that can be used to classify all viruses or do distinguishing characteristics require multiple classification schemes?
Is the current sub-species classification system for each virus sufficient to capture the relevant genetic diversity now and in the future?
During disease outbreaks, are there specific mutations or common patterns of genetic variation observed in RNA or DNA viruses that impact pathogenesis?