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Eddie Holmes
Study systems include
RNA viruses, e.g. dengue virus, influenza virus, lyssaviruses, yellow fever virus
Selected publications
Holmes EC. (2009). The Evolution and Emergence of RNA Viruses. Oxford Series in Ecology and Evolution (OSEE). Series edited by PH Harvey & RM May. Oxford University Press, Oxford. (http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199211135.do).
Holmes EC. (2009). The evolutionary genetics of emerging viruses. Annu.Rev.Ecol.Evol.Syst. 40, 353-372.
Holmes EC. (2008). The evolutionary history and phylogeography of human viruses. Annu.Rev.Microbiol. 62, 307-328.
Rambaut A, Pybus OG, Nelson MI, Viboud C, Taubenberger JK & Holmes EC. (2008). The genomic and epidemiological dynamics of human influenza A virus. Nature 453, 615-619.
Duffy S, Shackelton LA & Holmes EC. (2008). Rates of evolutionary change in viruses: Patterns and determinants. Nat.Rev.Genet. 9, 267-276.
Aaskov J, Buzacott K, Thu HM, Lowry K & Holmes EC. (2006). Long-term transmission of defective RNA viruses in humans and Aedes mosquitoes. Science 311, 236-238.
Professor in Biology
Eberly College of Science Distinguished Senior Scholar
Email: ech15@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-4689
Office: 609 Mueller Lab
Research interests
My research integrates ideas from a number of different fields, most notably evolutionary genetics, virology and the epidemiology of infectious disease. I am currently concentrating on three main areas, using RNA virus study systems.
Evolutionary genetics
I am investigating questions such as:
- The roles played by mutation, natural selection, recombination, and gene flow in shaping patterns of genetic diversity on RNA viruses.
- The evolutionary factors that underpin the process of cross-species virus transmission (i.e. of viral emergence).
Comparative genomics
My work in this area includes:
- Understanding the factors that have generated the diversity of genome structures and organizations observed in RNA viruses.
- Revealing the origins of RNA viruses and particularly how they relate to the early 'RNA-protein' world.
Molecular epidemiology
Much of my research in this area fits within the emerging discipline of phylodynamics.
- Understanding the patterns and processes of evolutionary change in such key human viruses as influenza and dengue.
- Collaborative experimental studies on the intra- and inter-host evolution of influenza viruses and parvoviruses.
