Analyses of paired host-virus genomic data to understand disease heterogeneity of chronic viral infections.

Globally, 1.34 million deaths per year are attributable to hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) and one million deaths to HIV infections. There are no curative treatments for HBV, no vaccine for HCV and neither for HIV. In this study I will use the genetic information of the infected individual and the virus they are infected with to understand why patients respond so differently to these viruses. By investigating both host and virus genetic data, we can track how the virus is changing in response to immune system and how different clinical outcomes relate to the differences in host cell and virus machinery. This will allow us to design better vaccines and drugs as well as stratifying patients so that clinicians can give appropriate drugs to each patient based on the genetic information of the patients and the virus they are infected with, improving treatment and lowering costs.