Dr Christian Happi is sat in his lab, wearing a labcoat and surrounded by equipment.
Credit:

Samuel Anjolaoluwa Alabi

Licence: All Rights Reserved

Professor Christian Happi in his genomics lab in Nigeria.

PodcastWhen Science Finds a Way

Episode 12: Will genomic sequencing prevent future pandemics?

Listen to this episode

Alisha speaks to Professor Christian Happi about his pioneering use of genomic sequencing during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, and how the technology could unlock the secrets of disease prevention.

Credit:

Samuel Anjolaoluwa Alabi

Licence: All Rights Reserved

Professor Christian Happi in his genomics lab in Nigeria.

Alisha Wainwright

Professor Christian Happi

38-minute listen
38-minute listen

Listen to this episode 

Show notes

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the benefits of sequencing infectious disease pathogens became more visible than ever before. The possibilities are huge: genomic sequencing is allowing scientists to unlock the secrets of disease prevention, helping dispel myths and stigma around disease outbreaks as well as allowing governments to act in real-time with targeted and often low-cost interventions.

In this episode Alisha speaks to Professor Christian Happi, Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, about his pioneering use of the technology during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria which identified the origin of the virus. They hear from the lead researcher who used sequencing to map a subsequent outbreak in Guinea, changing how healthcare workers understand the disease.

Meet the guest

  • Professor Christian Happi

    Professor of Molecular Biology and Genomics, Redeemer’s University

    Christian Happi is Professor of Molecular Biology and Genomics in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Director of the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases at Redeemer’s University, Nigeria. He is known for leading the team of scientists that used genomic sequencing to identify a single point of infection from an animal reservoir to a human in the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. His research focus is on infectious diseases, including malaria, Lassa fever, Ebola virus disease, HIV and SARS-CoV-2.

Next episode

Join Julia Gillard, Chair of Wellcome, as she brings together three experts from the series to reflect on the main themes that have emerged and ask what challenges still lie ahead in the field of global health.

Transcripts are available for all episodes.

More from When Science Finds a Way

When Science Finds a Way

Join botanist-turned-Hollywood actor Alisha Wainwright as she meets the trailblazing scientists and researchers changing the world, alongside the people who have inspired and contributed to their work. All episodes are now available.