Science AMA Series: I'm Dr. John Barnes, team leader for the Influenza Genomics Team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I help develop better flu vaccines, AMA!

See the source article by following the link below:

Hi Reddit!

My name is Dr. John Barnes and I am a research microbiologist and the team lead for the Influenza Genomics Team (IGT) in the Influenza Division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. My current work includes research focused on using Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) technology to improve influenza virus monitoring, which directly informs the development of better-performing influenza vaccines.

AMD uses genomic sequencing, high-performance computing, and epidemiology to study pathogens and improve disease detection. CDC is using this next generation of sequencing and bioinformatics to monitor genetic changes in influenza viruses in order to better understand and improve the effectiveness of influenza vaccines. CDC’s Influenza Genomics Team has partnered with the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, the California Department of Health, the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center, and the Association of Public Health Laboratories to develop and pilot a large cloud-based network to store and share AMD data. The cloud-based network allows for faster assembly and analysis of influenza sequences. Apart from informing vaccine development, this enhanced capability may prove critical during future influenza outbreaks when identification and characterization of viruses often requires genomic sequence data due to the large genetic diversity of viruses. Join me to talk about the impact of CDC’s AMD work on the future of influenza vaccines.

I will be taking your questions from 1-3 p.m. ET. Ask me anything!

">Science AMA Series: I'm Dr. John Barnes, team leader for the Influenza Genomics Team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I help develop better flu vaccines, AMA!