Complete Viral Genome Sequencing: Telling A Complete Story About Viruses in Hong Kong Chicken and Pig Farms

Avian Research Centre Seminar
12 pm, Tuesday, July 11
Room 160, MacMillan Building

Complete Viral Genome Sequencing:
Telling A Complete Story About Viruses in Hong Kong Chicken and Pig Farms

Dr. Frederick C. Leung
Department of Zoology, The University of Hong Kong

ABSTRACT:
Our laboratory has been interested in the molecular and evolution of RNA viruses for the past few years, specifically the SARS- CoV and veterinary infectious diseases viruses including the chicken infectious bursa disease virus (IBDV), influenza, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Disease Virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). Using the viral genome sequences generated from samples we collected from human, chicken and pig farms, we can study the rate of virus evolution, time of origin and divergence, population genetics, and origin of the genome re-assortment. My presentation aims at using molecular genetic sequencing data to tell a story, particularly related to the viruses found in our local chicken and pig farms!