R. Biek

Population genetics, phylogeography and gene flow of mainland and island vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) populations: an investigation into mainland-island bat movement

The paper investigates gene flow between mainland and island vampire bat populations in Trinidad, finding genetic distinctness and male-biased gene flow, with implications for rabies virus spread.

Variation in the ACE2 receptor has limited utility for SARS-CoV-2 host prediction

The paper shows that ACE2 receptor variation is not a reliable predictor of SARS-CoV-2 host susceptibility due to its strong correlation with host phylogeny rather than viral binding mechanisms.

Genomic epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis infection in sympatric badger and cattle populations in Northern Ireland.

This study sequenced M. bovis isolates from badgers and cattle in Northern Ireland to analyze genomic epidemiology, finding an endemic lineage with low diversity and evidence of interspecies transmission.

Emergence of Lyme disease on treeless islands in Scotland, UK

This study examines Lyme disease emergence on treeless islands in Scotland, finding higher tick prevalence and human exposure linked to increased incidence.

Diversification of mammalian deltaviruses by host shifting

This paper shows deltaviruses diversify by shifting between mammalian hosts, with evidence from sequence data and field studies in bats.

Dynamics of viral index infections in novel hosts

This study analyzes 514 experimental rabies virus inoculations across species to identify factors influencing infection outcomes and transmission potential in novel hosts.

Practical and effective diagnosis of animal anthrax in endemic low-resource settings

This study validates azure B microscopy and PCR on skin samples as effective and practical diagnostic methods for anthrax in low-resource settings.

Population genomics of louping ill virus provide new insights into the evolution of tick-borne flaviviruses

This study sequences 22 louping ill virus isolates to analyze genomic diversity and evolutionary history, finding low diversity, limited positive selection, and challenges in estimating molecular clock rates for tick-borne flaviviruses.

Evolutionary stasis of an RNA virus indicates arbovirus re-emergence triggered by accidental release

This study uses genomic data to show that a BTV-8 virus strain re-emerged in 2015 without significant evolution, suggesting accidental release rather than natural persistence.

Host relatedness and landscape connectivity shape pathogen spread in a large secretive carnivore

The paper examines how urbanization affects pathogen spread in pumas by analyzing landscape variables and host gene flow in two contrasting regions.