Genomics is fundamentally changing epidemiological research. However, systematically exploring hypotheses in pathogen evolution requires new modeling tools. Models intertwining pathogen epidemiology and genomic evolution can help understand processes such as the emergence of novel pathogen genotypes with higher transmissibility or resistance to treatment. In this work, we present Opqua, a flexible simulation framework that explicitly links epidemiology to sequence evolution and selection. We use Opqua to study determinants of evolution across fitness valleys. We confirm that competition can limit evolution in high-transmission environments and find that low transmission, host mobility, and complex pathogen life cycles facilitate reaching new adaptive peaks through population bottlenecks and decoupling of selective pressures. The results show the potential of genomic epidemiological modeling as a tool in infectious disease research.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abo0173 | DOI Listing |
Plant Dis
January 2025
50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-guSeoul, Korea (the Republic of), 03722;
Fire blight, a devastating bacterial disease affecting rosaceous plants such as apples and pears, is caused by . The disease, known for its rapid spread and destructive potential, can lead to severe symptoms and often result in the death of infected plants. In Korea, the observation of was first recorded in 2015, and subsequent dissemination has been noted across the peninsula.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurology
February 2025
Genomics of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Aging, Human Genetics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, the Netherlands.
Background And Objectives: Identifying genetic causes of dementia in patients visiting memory clinics is important for patient care and family planning. Traditional clinical selection criteria for genetic testing may miss carriers of pathogenic variants in dementia-related genes. This study aimed identify how many carriers we are missing and to optimize criteria for selecting patients for genetic counseling in memory clinics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México.
Introduction: The methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) genome varies by geographical location. This study aims to determine the genomic characteristics of MRSA using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from medical centers in Mexico and to explore the associations between antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors.
Methods: This study included 27 clinical isolates collected from sterile sites at eight centers in Mexico in 2022 and 2023.
Am J Reprod Immunol
February 2025
Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, China.
Background: Our previous study has identified an association of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the miR-423 gene with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). The presence of additional RSA-linked SNPs in the miR-423 gene remains unclear.
Methods: We evaluated polymorphisms in the coding region of miR-423 in Han Chinese women with unexplained RSA (URSA).
Microb Genom
January 2025
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, rebro University, rebro, Sweden.
National epidemiological investigations of microbial infections greatly benefit from the increased information gained by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in combination with standardized approaches for data sharing and analysis. To evaluate the quality and accuracy of WGS data generated by different laboratories but analysed by joint pipelines to reach a national surveillance approach. A national methicillin-resistant (MRSA) collection of 20 strains was distributed to nine participating laboratories that performed in-house procedures for WGS.
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