KRISP NEWS
Dr. Houriiyah Tegally, Head of Data Science at CERI, is a leader in epidemic response, with over 70 publications, including 40 during her PhD. She specializes in integrating AI and climate data into infectious disease modeling, shaping global health strategies. Her work, from tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants to forecasting emerging epidemics, highlights the power of data-driven public health.
Nikita Sitharam, PhD candidate at Stellenbosch University and CERI, is advancing viral genomics research in Africa. She recently received the prestigious Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Postgraduate Scholarship, securing full funding for her PhD. Her work emphasizes the importance of mentorship and early preparation in securing research funding.
the gem is a monthly magazine produced by CERI, SACEMA and the Data School at Stellenbosch University and KRISP at UKZN. The objective is to provide stories of world class African science that impact lives and train the next generation of scientists in Africa.
Top Genomics Labs partner with UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to strengthen surveillance of respiratory pathogens
Here, we present some of our recent videos and TV appearances highlighting the important aspect of science communication to the general public.
Are you a scientist working in virus evolution, bioinformatics, or genomic surveillance? Dont miss your chance to apply for the Virus Evolution & Molecular Epidemiology (VEME) 2025 workshop, one of the worlds most advanced training programmes in genomics and bioinformatics.
Dr. Houriiyah Tegally from the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) at Stellenbosch University, has been awarded a significant grant by the Global Science Summit Programme of the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
KRISP SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
Artificial intelligence for modelling infectious disease epidemics.
Kraemer M, Tsui J, Chang S, Lytras S, Khurana M, Vanderslott S, Bajaj S, Scheidwasser N, Curran-Sebastian J, Semenova E, Zhang M, Unwin H, Watson O, Mills C, Dasgupta A, Ferretti L, Scarpino S, Koua E, Morgan O, Tegally H, Paquet U, Moutsianas L, Fraser C, Ferguson N, Topol E, Duchêne D, Stadler T, Kingori P, Parker M, Dominici F, Shadbolt N, Suchard M, Ratmann O, Flaxman S, Holmes E, Gomez-Rodriguez M, Schölkopf B, Donnelly C, Pybus O, Cauchemez S, Bhatt S, Nature (2025), 638(8051):623-635. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-08564-w.:.
Spatiotemporal disease suitability prediction for Oropouche virus and the role of vectors across the Americas.
Poongavanan J, Dunaiski M, Dor G, Kraemer M, Giovanetti M, Lim A, Brady O, Baxter C, Fonseca V, Alcantara L, de Oliveira T, Tegally H, medRxiv (2025), doi: 10.1101/2025.02.28.25323068.:.
Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 intrahost genetic evolution in vaccinated and non-vaccinated patients from the Kenyan population.
Lugano D, Mwangi K, Mware B, Kibet G, Osiany S, Kiritu E, Dobi P, Muli C, Njeru R, de Oliveira T, Njenga M, Routh A, Oyola S, medRxiv (2025), doi: 10.1101/2025.03.03.25323296.:.
Unveiling novel features and phylogenomic assessment of indigenous
Priestia megaterium
AB-S79 using comparative genomics.
Adeniji A, Chukwuneme C, Conceição E, Ayangbenro A, Wilkinson E, Maasdorp E, de Oliveira T, Babalola O, Microbiology Spectrum (2025), doi: 10.1128/spectrum.01466-24.:.
Genomic Characterization of Circulating Dengue Virus, Ethiopia, 20222023.
Abera A, Tegally H, Tasew G, Wilkinson E, Ali A, Regasa F, Bitew M, Belachew M, Chabuka L, Mwanyika G, Tshiabuila D, Giandhari J, Pillay S, Poogavanan J, Moir M, Kraemer M, Khan K, Huber C, Tollera G, de Wit T, Baxter C, Lessells R, Wolday D, Beyene D, de Oliveira T, , Emerging Infectious Diseases (2025), 31(3):. doi: 10.3201/eid3103.240996.:.
Infectious diseases in a warming world: A call for action.
Moir M, Baxter C, Tegally H, de Oliveira T, South African Journal of Science (2025), 121(3/4):. doi: 10.17159/sajs.2025/20722.:.
Travel-associated international spread of Oropouche virus beyond the Amazon.
de Melo Iani F, Pereira F, de Oliveira E, Rodrigues J, Machado M, Fonseca V, Adelino T, Guimarães N, Tomé L, Gómez M, Nardy V, Ribeiro A, Rosewell A, Ferreira ?, Silva de Mello A, Fernandes B, de Albuquerque C, dos Santos Pereira D, Pimentel E, Lima F, Silva F, de Carvalho Pereira G, Tegally H, Almeida J, Moreno K, Vasconcelos K, Santos L, Silva L, Frutuoso L, Lamounier L, Costa M, de Oliveira M, dos Anjos M, Ciccozzi M, Lima M, Pereira M, Rocha M, de Souza da Silva P, Rabinowitz P, de Almeida P, Lessells R, Gazzinelli R, da Cunha R, Gonçalves S, dos Santos S, de Alcântara Belettini S, Pedroso S, Araújo S, da Silva S, Croda J, Maciel E, Van Voorhis W, Martin D, Holmes E, de Oliveira T, Lourenço J, Alcantara L, Giovanetti M, Journal of Travel Medicine (2025), doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaf018.:.
KRISP VIDEOS
COVID-19 | News sub-variant being monitored closely
By: Tulio De Oliveira and CERI and KRISP teams
KRISP BIOINFORMATICS TOOLS
Genome Detective Coronavirus Typing Tool
Genome Detective Coronavirus Typing Tool for rapid identification and characterization of novel coronavirus genomes
Genome Detective Dengue Virus Typing Tool
This is a beta version of our Dengue Virus Typing tool. For the mean time, this tool should be used for evaluation only. Please send feedback to Tulio de Oliveira.
Genome Detective Zika Typing Tool
This is the first version of the Zika typing tool, which uses phylogenetic analysis to identify the species and genotype of the virus.
Genome Detective Chikungunya Typing Tool
This is the first version of the Chikungunya typing tool, which uses phylogenetic analysis to identify the species and genotype of the virus.
Genome Detective Yellow Fever Virus Typing Tool
This is the first version of the Yellow Fever typing tool, which uses phylogenetic analysis to identify the species and genotype of the virus.
This is the first version of our Arbovirus typing tool for Chikungunya, Dengue, Yellow Fever and Zika
REGA HIV Subtyping Tool V3 - Belgium Mirror
Phylogenetic tool to identify the HIV-1 subtypes and recombinants. Query sequences are analysed for recombination using bootscanning methods. The version 3 contains new CRFs (CRF01_AE to CRF47_BF).
MORE TOOLS
KRISP has been created by the coordinated effort of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the South African Medical Research Countil (SAMRC).
Location: K-RITH Tower Building
Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, UKZN
719 Umbilo Road, Durban, South Africa.
Director: Prof. Tulio de Oliveira