About this talk
From genomics to edible gel and uv powder, Daniel Streiker’s research uses a range of approaches connecting bats’ movements with the spread of the rabies virus. Expanding on what he has learned, Streiker says, “I think we are not too far from a future where we’re going to have genomics to forecast outbreaks and we’re going to have clever new technologies like edible self-spreading vaccines that can get rid of these viruses at their source before they have a chance to jump into people”.
Watch Daniel’s 2018 TEDMED Talk,”What vaccinating vampire bats can teach us about pandemics” to learn how we may be able to forecast a disease outbreak and anticipate it, preventing the next pandemic from happening.
About Daniel Streicker
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Daniel Streicker is a highly respected scientist who studies disease transmission between different species. As a professor of viral ecology and a Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, his work combines fields like evolution, ecology, and public health to predict and prevent infectious disease outbreaks. A major focus of his research is on rabies transmitted by vampire bats in Peru. By analyzing the genetics of bats and the virus, his team can track how the disease spreads, allowing them to forecast when and where outbreaks are likely to occur and giving local governments crucial time to vaccinate people and livestock and protect communities. Daniel’s innovative approach also includes developing new technologies, such as self-disseminating vaccines for bats, which could automatically spread from vaccinated bats to others in the population. His work has earned him significant recognition, including being named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. His research is critical for understanding and preventing future pandemics.
