Virus discovery: are we scientists or genome collectors?

Marta Canuti; Lia van der Hoek

doi:10.1016/j.tim.2014.02.004

Virus discovery: are we scientists or genome collectors?

Trends Microbiol. 2014 May;22(5):229-31. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2014.02.004.

Authors

Marta Canuti¹, Lia van der Hoek²

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Center for Infection and Immunity (CINIMA), Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.canuti@amc.uva.nl.
² Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Center for Infection and Immunity (CINIMA), Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

PMID: 24786864
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2014.02.004

Abstract

Some scientists now proclaim that future pandemics can be successfully forecasted, allowing the planning of useful intervention strategies for pandemic preparedness. We underline the fundamental importance of performing dedicated investigations when viruses are discovered, to guarantee public health authorities the availability of nonerroneous information about potential upcoming threats.

Keywords: next generation sequencing; pandemic preparedness; virus discovery.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Genetic Variation
Genome, Viral*
Molecular Epidemiology / methods
Virus Diseases / epidemiology
Virus Diseases / virology
Viruses / classification*
Viruses / genetics
Viruses / isolation & purification*