A vet by degree and training in molecular virology I am interested in the evolution, taxonomy and genomics of avian viruses, mainly adeno- and CRESS-DNA viruses. Wild birds are threatened by anthropic effects on a global scale, and their viruses might contribute to their endangerment. Thus, it is important to reveal the real biodiversity of avian viruses, as, unfortunately, this research topic is far from being prioritized.
The used methodology includes the screening of avian samples for different viruses using PCR, typing of viruses revealed, complete viral genome sequencing and genome analysis. The found viruses our certain genomic markers can be linked to different pathologies with aetiologies earlier unknown.

Last relevant publications:
Kaján GL, Kecskeméti S, Harrach B, Benkő M. Molecular typing of fowl adenoviruses, isolated in Hungary recently, reveals high diversity. Vet Microbiol. 2013 Dec 27;167(3-4):357-63. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.09.025.

Gellért Á, Benkő M, Harrach B, Peters M, Kaján GL. The genome and phylogenetic analyses of tit siadenoviruses reveal both a novel avian host and viral species. Infect Genet Evol. 2022 Sep;103:105326. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105326.

Kaján GL, Schachner A, Gellért Á, Hess M. Species Fowl aviadenovirus B Consists of a Single Serotype despite Genetic Distance of FAdV-5 Isolates. Viruses. 2022 Jan 27;14(2):248. doi: 10.3390/v14020248.

Bioinformatics
Evolutionary Biology
Genomics
Infectious Diseases
Ornithology
Phylogenetics
Systematics
Zoology
Taxonomy
Veterinary science
Virology

Would be interested in monitoring the diversity and fitness of avian populations and perhaps the screening of these populations for different viruses and connecting these viruses to different pathologies.

virology, virus, screening, avian, bird, diversity, genomics, typing, phylogenetics, molecular virology

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