Keywords
1. Virus Bioinformatics
2. Virology Research
3. Viral Taxonomy
4. Viral Epidemiology
5. Virus-Host Interactions
With the proliferation of viral infections and the daunting tasks of managing outbreaks, the role of bioinformatics in virology research has become increasingly important. The Third Annual Meeting of the European Virus Bioinformatics Center (EVBC), held in Glasgow, United Kingdom, from March 28 to March 29, 2019, underlined the significance of consolidating laboratory and computational expertise to progress our understanding and management of viral diseases. Attended by about 110 experts from across Europe and beyond, this gathering at the McIntyre Building of the University of Glasgow further accentuated the collaborative spirit requisite for navigating the complexities of virology within the digital age.
The colloquium was composed of a rich agenda illuminating the latest bioinformatics approaches underpinning research on virus classification, evolution, host interactions, and the virome – the entire assemblage of viruses present in or associated with a host. It consisted of eight invited talks, twelve contributed talks, and thirty-four oral poster presentations, each delving into the intricacies of virological studies and computational methodologies.
Research highlights include progress in systems virology, the nascent branch of molecular biology focusing on complex interactions within viral systems. The emphasis on virus-host interactome mapping provided insights into how viruses, like bacteriophages, manipulate cellular machinery for replication and spread. Moreover, discussions on the virome spotlighted the importance of understanding the virus’ existence within ecosystems, underlining the fact that viral communities could either support host well-being or drive pathogenic processes.
One groundbreaking topic was the meticulous work on virus classification and evolution. Scientists underscored the strides made in genomic analysis, empowering researchers to decode the complex evolutionary relationships among disparate virus groups. The connexions drawn during these conferences reinforce bioinformatics as a potent instrument in unraveling the evolutionary history imprinted within viral genomes.
Epidemiology and surveillance of viruses, particularly in the veterinary context, also constituted a major subject of discussion. Presentations brought to light how bioinformatics tools have fine-tuned our capabilities in monitoring viral spread and in devising timely interventions to curb outbreaks. The immersive exchange of ideas spotlighted the critical part played by high-throughput analysis and data interpretation in comprehending the dynamics of viral epidemics.
The meeting, expertly summarized by Franziska Hufsky and her colleagues, painted a vivid picture of an interdisciplinary combat against viral diseases that blends innovative computational techniques with foundational virological research. It encapsulated the profound advances in bioinformatics yielding improved methods to detect, control, and treat viral infections in humans and other animals.
From a broader perspective, the journal ‘Viruses’ served as an important platform in sharing the rich trove of insights from the meeting, making the knowledge accessible to the global scientific community. It’s a hallmark example of the peer-reviewed process that underpins academic publishing today.
When it comes to viral epidemiology, studies discussed at the meeting demonstrate that strategic surveillance is critical, as showcased by the enlightening contributions of Samantha Lycett and Peter Simmonds. The sophisticated statistical models and bioinformatic frameworks presented have nominally transformed our understanding of viral spread within communities and between species.
The role of computational biology in virus classification has been crucial in discerning affiliation and lineage, as noted by Evelien Adriaenssens. The classification approaches discussed highlighted the advances in deciphering viral taxonomy, which have paramount implications in both ecological studies and public health.
One major highlight was the dialogue on contemporary viral chimeras or recombinant strains, illustrating the continual flux of the virosphere and the viral genetic material within it. This is exemplified by the work of Volker Thiel and his team, who have explored the host proteins composing the microenvironment of coronavirus replicase complexes, highlighting the consequences of genetically diverse viral strains.
Further, the meeting underscored the importance of high-throughput analysis in viral evolution studies, emphasizing the need for software systems adept at managing large data sets. The discussions about bioinformatic tools, like those led by Bashar Ibrahim and his colleagues, are a testament to this exigent requirement for technologically advanced resources that can keep pace with the accelerating volume of viral genomic data.
In terms of the advancements within the field of virus-host interactions, the findings presented by Stefanie Deinhardt-Emmer and her peers shed light on a pivotal topic. The scrutiny of interactions at the molecular level between viruses and their hosts presages more focused approaches to the development of antiviral therapeutics and vaccines.
Taken together, the Third Annual Meeting of the EVBC fostered understanding and constructed a scientific dialogue that reached across traditional disciplinary barriers. It illuminated the vital role of bioinformatics in combating viral diseases and emphasized the importance of collaboration between computational biologists and laboratory virologists to amplify research outcomes.
For virologists, the resources shared during these sessions, especially the new bioinformatics platforms and databases, are a treasure trove aiding in the visualization, annotation, and analysis of viral genomic datasets. These tools are defining a new era of virus bioinformatics as alluded to by Manja Marz and her co-authors – one that balances the complexity of viral genetics with user-friendly computational resources.
Finally, the meeting responded to remind researchers that, while improvements have been made, much work remains to be carried out. It stands as a beacon, steered towards exploring the uncertain and often chaotic realms of the virosphere – realms that hold keys to the health and wellbeing of all forms of life on our planet.
Recommended DOI: 10.3390/v11050420
References
1. Hufsky, F., Ibrahim, B., Beer, M., Deng, L., Le Mercier, P., McMahon, D.P., … & Thiel, V. (2018). Virologists—Heroes need weapons. PLoS Pathog, 14(2), e1006771.
2. Ibrahim, B., McMahon, D.P., Hufsky, F., Beer, M., Deng, L., Le Mercier, P., … & Marz, M. (2018). A new era of virus bioinformatics. Virus Res, 251, 86-90.
3. Ibrahim, B., Arkhipova, K., Andeweg, A., Posada-Céspedes, S., Enault, F., Gruber, A., … & McHardy, A. (2018). Bioinformatics Meets Virology: The European Virus Bioinformatics Center’s Second Annual Meeting. Viruses, 10(5), 256.
4. V’kovski, P., Gerber, M., Kelly, J., Pfaender, S., Ebert, N., Lagache, S.B., … & Thiel, V. (2019). Determination of host proteins composing the microenvironment of coronavirus replicase complexes by proximity-labeling. eLife, 8, e42037.
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