We’ve published a paper in Computational Statistics describing “A sparse hierarchical Bayesian model for detecting relevant antigenic sites in virus evolution”. This work, led by Vinny Davies and Dirk Husmeier (Glasgow Uni, school of Mathematics and Statistics), involved the development of a Bayesian model for identifying amino acid positions where substitutions are responsible for antigenic change. These substitutions enable viruses to escape existing immunity in the host population that arises following infection or vaccination.

Continue reading “Bayesian identification of sites responsible for antigenic change” →

A collaboration I’m involved in with the NHS West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre (WoSSVC) and the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) have been working on an analysis of seasonal influenza A(H3N2) full genomes. We’ve put a manuscript on “Integrating patient and whole genome sequencing data to provide insights into the epidemiology of seasonal influenza A(H3N2) viruses” up on bioRxiv.

This work led by Emily Goldstein and Rory Gunson (WoSSVC) examines the potential benefits of whole genome sequencing (WGS) for surveillance of human influenza. Genetic surveillance of seasonal flu viruses currently remains focused on the haemagglutinin (HA) gene, which is understandable given the importance of HA mutations that reduce vaccine effectiveness. Continue reading “Analysis of flu full genomes with linked patient data” →

Welcome. I’ve created this site as a place to host my work and draw together my various research activities into one up-to-date online hub.  I thought it’d be a nice to kick-off with a summary of what I got up to in the last calendar year. Continue reading “Welcome and 2016 recap” →