Jonathan A. Runstadler

H5N5 virus transmission is driven by repeated cross-Atlantic introductions and transmission among high latitude seabirds

This study shows H5N5 viruses have been repeatedly introduced across the Atlantic by high latitude seabirds, with more frequent introductions in fall and spring, and a distinct ecology from H5N1.

Unbiased, Cell-free Profiling of Single Influenza Genomes at High-throughput

The paper develops DE-flowSVP to profile IAV genome reassortment at high throughput, revealing that aggregation and molecular incompatibility drive genome mixing.

Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in New England Seals

The paper reports an outbreak of H5N1 in New England seals, linking it to a second wave of H5N1 in wild birds and identifying genetic differences between avian and mammalian infections.

Ferrets not infected by SARS-CoV-2 in a high-exposure domestic setting

This study shows that ferrets in a domestic setting with prolonged exposure to symptomatic COVID-19 humans did not contract SARS-CoV-2, suggesting host factors may limit natural infection.

Capturing diverse microbial sequence with comprehensive and scalable probe design

The paper introduces CATCH, a method for designing compact and scalable probe sets to enhance metagenomic sequencing sensitivity, demonstrating improved viral genome recovery and diversity preservation.

Reticulate evolution is favoured in influenza niche switching.

The paper shows that reassortment, a reticulate evolutionary mechanism, is more common than mutational drift in influenza virus transmission between different host species, especially when host evolutionary distance increases.