Ben Patten

Project: Passerine viromics and genomics - a One Health approach to understanding infectious disease

Despite Passeriformes constituting the largest and most diverse avian order, ranging from common garden to brightly coloured exotic birds, very little is known about the composition of their viromes - the viruses associated with taxons of this group - nor the ecological and environmental factors that facilitate virome formation.

My research will focus on understanding the structure and formation of Passerine viromes using the Seychelles Warblers on Cousin Island as a model species/population. I hope to better understand the selective and health impact of the virome on the warbler, and the role that viral transmission from seabirds plays.

In doing so, I will contribute to the One Health approach by elucidating potential zoonotic threats from the closely human-associated Passeriformes, thereby informing public health initiatives. I will also aid our understanding of how me might mitigate avian disease and better undertake conservation measures.