We study evolutionary processes in real time and their practical implications, focusing on the following main topics:

Evolutionary epidemiology of pathogens: we use gene and genome sequences for epidemiological surveillance, identification of routes of transmission, and analysis of the spread of drug resistances.

Evolutionary systems biology: using computational approaches, we integrate genetic, epidemiologic, evolutionary, and immunologic information about pathogens and their hosts, with the hope of gaining insight into the diseases caused by these pathogens.

Viral mutation and evolution: we study the processes of spontaneous mutation in viruses, since these are the ultimate source of genetic variation and a key factor determining their great variability and adaptability. We have estimated the mutation rate of model animal, plant and bacterial viruses and we are now translating this knowledge to medically relevant viruses such as HIV or hepatitis C virus.

Experimental evolution of oncolytic viruses: vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and many other viruses show natural selectivity for tumoral cells, which makes them candidate therapeutic agents against cancer. We use directed evolution as a tool for adapting VSV to different cancerous cells, and we test these evolved viruses in cell culture and in vivo models of cancer.