Assessing Host-Pathogen Interaction Networks via RNA-Seq Profiling: A Systems Biology Approach

In the months sandwiched between my Masters completion and PhD enrolment, I had the opportunity to write a paper with Prof. Subha Bhassu from the Animal Genetics And Genome Evolutionary Lab (AGAGEL) of University of Malaya. Glad to share that it has been published!

In this review paper, we explored the uses of RNA sequencing technology in understanding host-pathogen interactions. RNA sequencing or RNA-Seq uses high-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) technology and has the ability to detect and quantify RNA transcripts in biological samples with high accuracy.

Personally, I found dual RNA-Seq to be quite fascinating because it allows us to monitor RNA-Seq data from both the host & pathogen (virus, bacteria, fungi, etc.) simultaneously during an infection. This is crucial as extensive changes in gene expression occur during the whole infection process.

RNA-Seq presents unique challenges as well and these are further detailed in this paper.

To find out more, please visit: https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/76156

Regards,

Sudhesh Dev Sareshma