#1: Ecology and evolution of microbial viruses

Date:

Thursday, September 17, 11am GMT

Spread of viruses: Global, Regional and Local distributions of crAssphage

The most widespread human phage - crAssphage - has been found in 2/3 of the countries on the planet so far, but the genomic signatures belie global dissemination and demonstrate unique regional and local evolution.

Diversity in marine algal virus host relationships and their effect on phytoplankton community structure

Ruth-Anne Sandaa

Haptophytes are key components of the phytoplankton community in the ocean, playing important roles both as primary producers and as mixotrophs that graze on bacteria and protists. In this talk I will discuss the adaptive evolution of haptophyte-infecting viruses, from those that cause acute infections to those that stably coexist with their host, and identify traits of importance for successful survival in the ocean.

The story of CrAssphage – so far

Colin Hill

CrAssphage are the most abundant bacteriophage in the human gut, representing more than 90% of the total phage population in some individuals. It is an unusual phage that has co-evolved with the human microbiome and has an unusual lifestyle in that it co-exists with its bacterial host in high numbers. I will discuss our progress so far in understanding this abundant but elusive phage.