Full-genome sequencing to identify determinants that impact upon foot and mouth disease virus strains with potential for enhanced transmission in endemic settings in Africa

Christopher is a molecular virologist in the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Sokoine University of Agriculture. He is interested in the genetic and antigenic novelty of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) in endemic settings in Africa. During his Fellowship, he aims to investigate the evolutionary characteristics of FMDV field strains. The main focus is to understand the molecular basis and factors associated with overt antigenicity and future epidemics or spread of foot and mouth disease. Identification of early genomic changes that are likely to lead to broader antigenicity and virulence of FMDV will provide necessary information for defining early interventions including diagnostics, vaccine strain selection and development of novel vaccines.

This grant was awarded under the scheme's previous name of Intermediate Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine.