Our Research
Avian Influenza
The avian influenza A virus has caused the mortalities of millions of birds worldwide. It continues to evolve and infect a wider range of host species due to the reassortment of the segments of the viral genome. While the main hosts for influenza A viruses are birds, they can also spread to mammals, including humans. Although characterization of avian influenza viruses and sequencing of their genomes have been done in studies in the past, there is little that we understand about the dynamics of these viruses.
The latest outbreak of the avian influenza virus that started in late 2021 in North America has once again proved that there is a lot more to be studied when it comes to the global influenza gene pool and how these viruses are transmitted among bird populations in the wild. Atlantic Canada’s geographic location makes it an important site for surveillance and further characterization of avian influenza viruses, especially as there was limited influenza surveillance in the region over the past several years. Hence our lab focuses on screening wild birds of various species across Atlantic Canada.
By Ishraq Rahman
Gene Transfer Agents
Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are phage-like particles – known as virifoms - produced by some bacteria and archaea that transfer cellular genetic material between cells using phage-like capsids. They are considered to be contributors of horizontal gene transfer among prokaryotes. While GTAs resemble tailed bacteriophages, their functions are controlled by the bacterial cellular pathways and are incapable of propagating themselves. Lang Lab focuses on how these curious particles evolved from their bacteriophage counterpart, gaining insight into how evolutionary pressure and cellular signalling maintains microbial genomes.
By Yvonne He and Deepal Deshpande
Microbiology of Serpentinite-Hosted Springs
By Oladapo Simeon
Serpentinization is a geological process characterized by the transformation of mafic and ultramafic rocks, containing minerals like olivine and pyroxene, into ferromagnetic minerals. This process involves the reduction of water, resulting in the production of hydrogen gas (H2) which is a source of chemical energy for some life form on Earth. Additionally, the elevated concentrations of iron generated from the oxidation of ferrous iron during serpentinization process and other heavy metals in this system can lead to a reduction in redox potential, potentially impacting the availability and transformation of nutrients. These environments are abundant in electron donors like H2 and CH4 and occasionally contain simple organic matter such as formate. However, the availability of terminal electron acceptors is often limited. These extreme conditions contribute to making serpentine environments both distinct and formidable habitats for life in general and have led to the evolution of specialized and adapted species that can survive and thrive in these conditions, including microorganisms. The overarching goal (long-term objective) is to investigate the microbial communities, encompassing bacteria, archaea, and viruses, linked with subsurface serpentinization where groundwater discharges and carbonate precipitation occur which is a part of the BioSATS (Biosignatures of the Subsurface Accessed Through Serpentine Portals) projects.
Avian Papilloma Virus
By Elizabeth Mack
Traditional paleolimnology struggles to differentiate nutrient inputs from various seabird species within the same pond catchment, complicating species-specific population assessments. Integrating molecular techniques, such as sedimentary DNA (sedDNA) extraction with paleolimnology offers a promising solution. By analyzing sediment cores from ponds on seabird islands for specific viral DNA associated with seabirds (i.g. Avian Papillomavirus), a historical record of seabird colony presence and density could be achieved. This method offers a novel approach to studying seabird populations, complementing traditional paleoecological techniques.