This three-year Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) provides $502,001 to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Camden to advance understanding of adenovirus evolution through genomic sequencing and analysis. The award will support sequencing the genomes of hundreds of adenovirus samples from reptile hosts across squamate diversity. Computational phylogenetic analyses will infer adenovirus relationships and rates of host switching, particularly among Anolis lizards. Tests for natural selection signatures and accelerated molecular evolution in viruses and their reptile hosts aim to elucidate factors influencing cross-species transmission. In addition to contributing fundamental knowledge of viral evolution, this research introduces Rutgers-Camden students to modern evolutionary genomics through hands-on coursework. Findings are expected to enhance predictive capabilities regarding cross-species pathogens.
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