VSR Laboratory
Here at VSR Lab, we offer our students a comprehensive research environment, filled with academic support and state- of-the-art facilities.
Ever since we got our start in 2018, VSR Lab has been instilling knowledge and curiousity in all our students.
Think Different, Be Different!
Research Summary
Our lab is dedicated to understanding both the fundamental biology and applied aspects of emerging and re-emerging viral diseases in humans, livestock, and wildlife. Such infections represent one of the most pressing challenges to global health and contribute to profound socioeconomic disruptions. In just the last three decades, more than 30 new infectious agents have been identified worldwide, the majority of which are viruses. The emergence and resurgence of these pathogens are fueled by a complex interplay of social, environmental, and biological factors. Rapid population growth, urban expansion, deforestation, changes in agricultural practices, intensive livestock production, and climate change all create conditions that favor the spread of viral infections. Added to this, the evolutionary dynamics of viruses—especially RNA viruses—enable them to mutate rapidly, adapt to new environments, and cross species barriers with relative ease. These characteristics make them particularly successful at establishing new outbreaks and sustaining cycles of transmission.
Most viruses originate from animal reservoirs and spillover to humans, allowing them to adapt further to humans. Noticeable examples of viruses that have jumped the species barrier include HIV, Avian Influenza virus, SARS-CoV-1/-2, MERS-CoV, Ebola virus, Nipah virus, Lassa virus, Rift Valley fever virus, Dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, Kyasanur forest disease virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, and Zika virus.Timely recognition of the pathogen and quarantining the infected patient or reservoir species will aid in preventing and controlling the spread of a virus. Therefore, there is a need for preparedness to tackle outbreak situations. Our objective involves improving preparedness, prediction, and prevention of emerging zoonotic viruses using multidisciplinary approaches.By exploring these processes, our lab aims to generate knowledge that not only deepens our understanding of viral evolution and host interactions but also informs strategies for disease surveillance, prevention, and control.
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