Decoding Evolutionary Dynamics and Beyond

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is continuously evolving to better adapt and stay ahead of the immune system's responses. Our goal is to uncover the evolutionary processes behind the changes in the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD), a hotspot for mutational activity. Our general approach involves mimicking natural evolutionary forces in an in vitro setting. However, alternative approaches must be taken to address some of the evolutionary pressures. The lecture showcased various projects undertaken in the lab, viewed from a computational perspective and their applications beyond SARS-CoV-2 research.