https://www.wvuvectors.com/home daily 1.0 2023-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/6046e42d-c231-4255-bb02-2e2ec6a5958a/OneHealth.v2.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/a7b022de-b7a5-45ed-80ff-6b21a274bc34/lab-overview.png https://www.wvuvectors.com/vidpro daily 0.75 2023-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/3326a508-1202-410b-aeab-995e3a93cb72/new_logo.VIDPro_min.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/1599518210108-TMUHC0V6HHD3A9RX1M9Q/I_scap_2019-05-09+18.42.00.jpeg Tick-Borne Disease - Distribution Tick-borne pathogens persist within a series of interlocked biological cycles, often moving between several host animal species. Understanding these complex dynamics relies upon rigorous testing and tracing. As part of our VIDPro, we partner with local and regional affiliates to collect tick and pathogen distribution data. We can integrate these data together with disease occurrence and animal surveys to predict the spread of tick-borne diseases. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/1599518532255-B828R4OL7GXFA7URQ5A6/evol.jpg Tick-Borne Disease - Evolution Genome reduction - the evolutionary loss of significant metabolic capabilities - is a hallmark of certain tick-borne pathogens and parasites such as Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Orientia, and Wolbachia. Instead these microbes rely on their host to provide essential nutrients and cofactors. Other metabolic functions can be acquired by these microbes via lateral gene transfer. We study the role of both mechanisms in tick-microbe, and microbe-microbe interactions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/1599518730818-UZ7H7B04VMW0HZWFLRXX/intervention.jpg Tick-Borne Disease - Intervention Tick-pathogen interactions that are critical for pathogen survival - such as essential nutrient exchange - provide a rich landscape for the design of novel interventions, including vaccines and therapeutics. In addition, functions acquired via lateral transfer represent potential new vehicles for biocontrol mechanisms, including bacteriophage-mediated elements, integrative-conjugative elements (RAGEs), and more. https://www.wvuvectors.com/take-action daily 0.75 2020-05-27 https://www.wvuvectors.com/watch daily 0.75 2023-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/1599519001883-BRIXS4GYQTO4DCYBEOJY/2020-08-06%2B13.37.47.jpg Tracking COVID-19 - Wastewater surveillance Recent evidence suggests the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater sources can be used as a leading indicator of COVID-19 symptomatic cases, possibly as far out as 4-7 days. In partnership with WVU School of Public Health, we are developing a surveillance system based on droplet digital PCR to assay campus and community wastewater sources for viral RNA as part of a comprehensive testing paradigm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/1599519112586-GGBXXJJ5A6JAUA087RK4/SARS-CoV-2_JHU.png Tracking COVID-19 - Genomic epidemiology Rapid whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has been used to track the origins of numerous pathogen outbreaks, from food-borne (E. coli) to water-borne (Vibrio cholerae) illnesses. Most recently, WGS applied to the COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated points of viral introduction into populations, and identified the importance and prevalence of community transmission. In collaboration with researchers at WVU’s Health Science Center, we are building out capacity to sequence and analyze SARS-CoV-2 genomes from West Virginia and surrounding communities. https://www.wvuvectors.com/about daily 0.75 2023-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/1599518109665-KVBKD0KTWH49U5ZGN1KO/thumb_IMG_0025_1024+copy.jpg About - Timothy Driscoll (PI) Principal Investigator. Ph.D., Genetics, Bioinformatics, & Computational Biology. M.S., Cell & Molecular Biology. M.S., Biochemistry. https://www.wvuvectors.com/positions daily 0.75 2023-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/1603483821456-LKBWUO9XPLRRVY5GKTIL/Untitled-1.png Join Us - Graduate Researcher (M.S. or Ph.D.): Testing Wastewater for COVID—19 Multiple Graduate Assistant positions are available to support state-wide testing of wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious diseases. Successful applicants will have a background in basic molecular and microbiological techniques. Interest and/or experience in data analysis and visualization preferred. M.S. and Ph.D. candidates will be considered. https://www.wvuvectors.com/oral-gut-nexus daily 0.75 2026-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/1599519001883-BRIXS4GYQTO4DCYBEOJY/2020-08-06%2B13.37.47.jpg Oral-Gut Nexus - Wastewater surveillance Recent evidence suggests the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater sources can be used as a leading indicator of COVID-19 symptomatic cases, possibly as far out as 4-7 days. In partnership with WVU School of Public Health, we are developing a surveillance system based on droplet digital PCR to assay campus and community wastewater sources for viral RNA as part of a comprehensive testing paradigm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb5f1c9285b2c4d4bb10d1d/1599519112586-GGBXXJJ5A6JAUA087RK4/SARS-CoV-2_JHU.png Oral-Gut Nexus - Genomic epidemiology Rapid whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has been used to track the origins of numerous pathogen outbreaks, from food-borne (E. coli) to water-borne (Vibrio cholerae) illnesses. Most recently, WGS applied to the COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated points of viral introduction into populations, and identified the importance and prevalence of community transmission. In collaboration with researchers at WVU’s Health Science Center, we are building out capacity to sequence and analyze SARS-CoV-2 genomes from West Virginia and surrounding communities.