Deep Next-Gen sequencing (NGS) to understand viral intra-host diversity, transmission dynamics and emergence of antiviral resistance in influenza viruses. Influenza A virus

Influenza A virus is a highly contagious and typically transmitted person-to-person through sneezing and coughing or at times through physical contact. Critical gaps remain in our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of influenza virus on both a global scale and at the level of intra-host dynamics and inter-host transmission. The aim of this study is to use deep sequencing of influenza virus to understand the dynamics of intra-host and inter-host virus populations, emergence of mutations due to mammalian adaptation and emergence of antiviral drug resistance by identifying novel resistance mutations under positive selection. We also aim to identify substitutions in the NA and/or other genes those potentiate or enhance antiviral resistance, thereby elucidating epistatic interactions.