A topological data analysis perspective on viral evolution

Abstract

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2. As the virus has been spreading around the world, millions of viral genomes have been sequenced. Genomes provide an accurate record of variation and evolution and can inform how these viruses emerge and evolve. In this talk I will discuss how mutations and recombinations shape SARS-CoV-2 evolution, and how topological data analysis techniques can help to understand the role of these processes in the emergence of this and other potential future pandemics.