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Review
. 2019 May 23;11(5):471.
doi: 10.3390/v11050471.

Exploiting the Legacy of the Arbovirus Hunters

Nikos Vasilakis  1   2   3   4 , Robert B Tesh  5   6   7   8 , Vsevolod L Popov  9   10   11   12 , Steve G Widen  13 , Thomas G Wood  14 , Naomi L Forrester  15   16   17   18 , Jean Paul Gonzalez  19 , Jean Francois Saluzzo  20 , Sergey Alkhovsky  21 , Sai Kit Lam  22 , John S Mackenzie  23 , Peter J Walker  24
Affiliations
Review

Exploiting the Legacy of the Arbovirus Hunters

Nikos Vasilakis et al. Viruses. .

Abstract

In recent years, it has become evident that a generational gap has developed in the community of arbovirus research. This apparent gap is due to the dis-investment of training for the next generation of arbovirologists, which threatens to derail the rich history of virus discovery, field epidemiology, and understanding of the richness of diversity that surrounds us. On the other hand, new technologies have resulted in an explosion of virus discovery that is constantly redefining the virosphere and the evolutionary relationships between viruses. This paradox presents new challenges that may have immediate and disastrous consequences for public health when yet to be discovered arboviruses emerge. In this review we endeavor to bridge this gap by providing a historical context for the work being conducted today and provide continuity between the generations. To this end, we will provide a narrative of the thrill of scientific discovery and excitement and the challenges lying ahead.

Keywords: arbovirus discovery; arbovirus history; electron microscopy; metagenomics; next generation sequencing; taxonomy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The field station in Bozo, Central African Republic.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The building in Brisbane that was occupied by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) from 1947 until 1979 (provided with permission from QIMR).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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