UC Spark

Dr Arvind Varsani

Biological Sciences

Fields of Research

  • Virology
  • Virus evolution
  • Virus recombination
  • Virus diversity
  • Isolation and charaterisation of novel viruses
  • Geminivirology
  • Virus capsid structures
  • Stucture based vaccine design

Researcher Summary

My main focus of research, in collaboration with Drs Darren Martin (South Africa) and Dionne Shepherd (South Africa), is analysing the diversity of the plant-infecting geminiviruses in Africa, South America, the Middle East, the South West Indian Ocean Islands and the Pacific Islands. In addition to this we study geminivirus recombination patterns using various techniques. Methods and tools that we developed for amplification, cloning and analysis of geminiviruses have been implemented to isolate novel DNA viruses from various ecosystems and this work forms the basis of a virus ecology workgroup.

Prof Trevor Sewell (South Africa), Dr Keizo Nagasaki (Japan) and I have been studying the virus structure of Heterocapsa circularisquama RNA virus (a dinoflagellate-infecting virus). Our studies have revealed that the capsid structure is an icosahedral lattice with a T=3 and not T=1 as previously published. It is also the first 3D virus structure to be solved in Africa. In collaboration with Dr Declan Schroeder (Marine Biological Association, UK), I have also been studying the structure and infection of the marine algae (Emiliania huxley)-infecting virus, Emiliania huxley virus type 86.

In collaboration with Profs Edward Rybicki (South Africa) and Anna-Lise Williamson (South Africa), I have worked on Human papillomavirus vaccines, use of virus particles as vaccine delivery systems and the production of the vaccines in plants.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Groups

Future Research

  • Virus ecology

Key Methodologies

  • Molecular cloning
  • Genome sequencing
  • Phylogenetics
  • Electron microscopy
  • Recombinant protein expression and purification
  • Viral metagenomics

Affiliations

Publications


  • Muhire, B., Martin, D.P., Brown, J.K., Navas-Castillo, J., Moriones, E., Zerbini, F.M., Rivera-Bustamante, R., Malathi, V.G., Briddon, R.W. and Varsani, A. (2013) A genome-wide pairwise-identity-based proposal for the classification of viruses in the genus Mastrevirus (Geminiviridae). Archives of Virology 158(6): 1411-1424. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-012-1601-7. (Journal Article)
  • Piasecki, T., Harkins, G.W., Chrząstek, K., Julian, L., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2013) Avihepadnavirus diversity in parrots is comparable to that found amongst all other avian species. Virology 438: 98-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2013.01.009. (Journal Article)
  • Rocha, C.S., Castillo-Urquiza, G.P., Lima, A.T.M., Silva, F.N., Xavier, C.A.D., Hora-Júnior, B.T., Beserra-Júnior, J.E.A., Malta, A.W.O., Martin, D.P., Varsani, A., Alfenas-Zerbini, P., Mizubuti, E.S.G. and Zerbini, F.M. (2013) Brazilian begomovirus populations are highly recombinant, rapidly evolving, and segregated based on geographical location. Journal of Virology 87(10): 5784-5799. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00155-13. (Journal Article)
  • Sikorski, A., Argüello-Astorga, G.R., Dayaram, A., Dobson, R.C.J. and Varsani, A. (2013) Discovery of a novel circular single-stranded DNA virus from porcine faeces. Archives of Virology 158(1): 283-289. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-012-1470-0. (Journal Article)
  • Rosario, K., Padilla-Rodriguez, M., Kraberger, S., Stainton, D., Martin, D.P., Breitbart, M. and Varsani, A. (2013) Discovery of a novel mastrevirus and alphasatellite-like circular DNA in dragonflies (Epiprocta) from Puerto Rico. Virus Research 171: 231-237. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2012.10.017. (Journal Article)
  • Kardani, S.G., Heydarnejad, J., Zakiaghl, M., Mehrvar, M., Kraberger, S. and Varsani, A. (2013) Diversity of beet curly top Iran virus isolated from different hosts in Iran. Virus Genes 46(3): 571-575. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11262-013-0875-5. (Journal Article)
  • Julian, L., Piasecki, T., Chrząstek, K., Walters, M., Muhire, B., Harkins, G.W., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2013) Extensive recombination detected among beak and feather disease virus isolates from breeding facilities in Poland. Journal of General Virology 94: 1086-1095. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.050179-0. (Journal Article)
  • Heydarnejad, J., Keyvani, N., Razavinejad, S., Massumi, H. and Varsani, A. (2013) Fulfilling Koch’s postulates for beet curly top Iran virus and proposal for consideration of new genus in the family Geminiviridae. Archives of Virology 158: 435-443. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-012-1485-6. (Journal Article)
  • Razavinejad, S., Heydarnejad, J., Kamali, M., Massumi, H., Kraberger, S. and Varsani, A. (2013) Genetic diversity and host range studies of turnip curly top virus. Virus Genes 46: 345-353. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11262-012-0858-y. (Journal Article)
  • Dayaram, A., Goldstien, S., Zawar-Reza, P., Gomez, C., Harding, J.S. and Varsani, A. (2013) Identification of Starling circovirus in an estuarine Mollusc (Amphibola crenata) in New Zealand using metagenomic approaches. Genomes Announcements 1(3): e00278-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.00278-13. (Journal Article)
  • Heydarnejad, J., Hesari, M., Massumi, H. and Varsani, A. (2013) Incidence and natural hosts of Tomato leaf curl Palampur virus in Iran. Australasian Plant Pathology 42: 195-203. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13313-012-0164-0. (Journal Article)
  • Dayaram, A., Goldstien, S., Zawar-Reza, P., Gomez, C., Harding, J.S. and Varsani, A. (2013) Novel single stranded DNA virus recovered from estuarine Mollusc (Amphibola crenata) whose replication associated protein (Rep) shares similarities with Rep-like sequences of bacterial origin. Journal of General Virology 94: 1104-1110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.050088-0. (Journal Article)
  • Heber, S., Varsani, A., Kuhn, S., Girg, A., Kempenaers, B. Briskie. and J. (2013) The genetic rescue of two bottlenecked South Island robin populations using translocations of inbred donors. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 280(1752): 20122228. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2012.2228. (Journal Article)
  • Pande, D., Kraberger, S., Lefeurve, P., Lett, J-M., Shepherd, D.N., Varsani, A. and Martin, D.P. (2012) A novel maize-infecting mastrevirus from La Réunion Island. Archives of Virology 157(8): 1617-1621. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-012-1314-y. (Journal Article)
  • Monjane, A.L., Pande, D., Lakay, F., Shepherd, D.N., van der Walt, R., Lefeurve, P., Lett, J-M., Varsani, A., Rybicki, E.P. and Martin, D.P. (2012) Adaptive evolution by recombination is not associated with increased mutation rates in Maize streak virus. BMC Evolutionary Biology 12: 252. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-12-252. (Journal Article)
  • Kraberger, S., Thomas, J.E., Geering, A.D.W., Dayaram, A., Stainton, D., Hadfield, J., Walters, M., Parmenter, K.S., van Brunschot, S., Collings, D.A., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2012) Australian monocot-infecting mastrevirus diversity rivals that in Africa. Virus Research 169(1): 127-136. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2012.07.018. (Journal Article)
  • Rosario, K., Dayaram, A., Marinov, M., Ware, J., Kraberger, S., Stainton, D., Breitbart, M. and Varsani, A. (2012) Diverse circular ssDNA viruses discovered in dragonflies (Odonata: Epiprocta). Journal of General Virology 93(12): 2668-2681. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.045948-0. (Journal Article)
  • De Bruyn, A., Villemot, J., Lefeuvre, P., Villar, E., Hoareau, M., Harimalala, M., Abdoul-Karime, A.L., Abdou-Chakour, C., Reynaud, B., Harkins, G.W., Varsani, A., Martin, D.P. and Lett, J-M. (2012) East African cassava mosaic-like viruses from Africa to Indian ocean islands: Molecular diversity, evolutionary history and geographical dissemination of a bipartite begomovirus. BMC Evolutionary Biology 12: 228. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-12-228. (Journal Article)
  • Stainton, D., Kraberger, S., Walters, M., Wiltshire, E.J., Rosario, K., Halafihi, M., Lolohea, S., Katoa, I., Faitua, T.H., Aholelei, W., Taufa, L., Thomas, J.E., Collings, D.A., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2012) Evidence of inter-component recombination, intra-component recombination and reassortment in Banana bunchy top virus. Journal of General Virology 93(5): 1103-1119. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.040337-0. (Journal Article)
  • Julian, L., Lorenzo, A., Chenuet, J-P., Bonzon, M., Marchal, C., Vignon, L., Collings, D.A., Walters, M., Jackson, B. and Varsani, A. (2012) Evidence of multiple introductions of beak and feather disease virus into the Pacific Islands of Nouvelle-Calédonie (New Caledonia). Journal of General Virology 93(11): 2466-2472. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.045575-0. (Journal Article)
  • Albuquerque, L.C., Varsani, A., Fernandes, F.R., Pinheiro, B., Martin, D.P., Ferreira, P.T.O., Lemos, T.O. and Inoue-Nagata, A.K. (2012) Further characterization of tomato-infecting begomoviruses in Brazil. Archives of Virology 157(4): 747-752. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-011-1213-7. (Journal Article)
  • Dayaram, A., Opong, A., Jäschke, A., Hadfield, J., Baschiera, M., Dobson, R.C.J., Offei, S.K., Shepherd, D.N., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2012) Molecular characterisation of a novel cassava associated circular ssDNA virus. Virus Research 166(1-2): 130-135. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2012.03.009. (Journal Article)
  • Piasecki, T., Kurenbach, B., Chrząstek, K., Kraberger, S., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2012) Molecular characterisation of an avihepadnavirus isolated from Psittacula krameri (Ring-necked parrot). Archives of Virology 157(3): 585-590. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-011-1197-3. (Journal Article)
  • Massaro, M., Ortiz-Catedral, L., Julian, L., Galbraith, J.A., Kurenbach, B., Kearvell, J., Kemp, K., van Hal, J., Elkington, E., Taylor, G., Greene, T., van de Wetering, J., van de Wetering, M., Pryde, M., Dilks, P., Heber, S., Steeves, T.E., Walters, M., Shaw, S., Potter, J., Farrant, M., Brunton, D.H., Hauber, M., Jackson, B., Bell, P., Moorhouse, R., McInnes, K. and Varsani, A. (2012) Molecular characterisation of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) in New Zealand and its implications for managing an infectious disease. Archives of Virology 157(9): 1651-1663. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-012-1336-5. (Journal Article)
  • Hadfield, J., Thomas, J.E., Schwinghamer, M.W., Kraberger, S., Stainton, D., Dayaram, A., Parry, J.N., Pande, P., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2012) Molecular characterisation of dicot-infecting mastreviruses from Australia. Virus Research 166(1-2): 13-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2012.02.024. (Journal Article)
  • Péréfarres, F., De Bruyn, F.A., Kraberger, S., Hoareau, M., Barjon, F., Lefeuvre, P., Pellegrin, F., Caplong, P., Varsani, A. and Lett, J-M. (2012) Occurrence of the Israel strain of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus in New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands. New Disease Reports 25(6) http://dx.doi.org/10.5197/j.2044-0588.2012.025.006. (Journal Article)
  • Geering, A.D.W., Thomas, J.E., Holton, T., Hadfield, J. and Varsani, A. (2012) Paspalum striate mosaic virus: An Australian mastrevirus from Paspalum dilatatum. Archives of Virology 157(1): 193-197. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-011-1129-2. (Journal Article)
  • Hadfield, J., Martin, D.P., Stainton, D., Kraberger, S., Owor, B.E., Shepherd, D.N., Lakay, F., Markham, P.G., Greber, R.S., Briddon, R.W. and Varsani, A. (2011) Bromus catharticus striate mosaic virus: a new mastrevirus infecting Bromus catharticus from Australia. Archives of Virology 156: 335-341. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-010-0872-0. (Journal Article)
  • Hosseini, A., Massumi, H., Heydarnejad, J., Pour, A.H. and Varsani, A. (2011) Characterisation of potato virus Y isolates from Iran. Virus Genes 42(1): 128-140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11262-010-0546-8. (Journal Article)
  • Hadfield, J., Linderme, D., Shepherd, D.N., Bezuidenhout, M., Lefeuvre, P., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2011) Complete genome sequence of a dahlia common mosaic virus isolate from New Zealand. Archives of Virology 156(12): 2297-2301. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-011-1112-y. (Journal Article)
  • Martin, D.P., Lefeuvre, P., Varsani, A., Hoareau, M., Semegni, J.Y., Dijoux, B., Vincent, C., Reynaud, B. and Lett, J-M. (2011) Complex Recombination Patterns Arising during Geminivirus Coinfections Preserve and Demarcate Biologically Important Intra-Genome Interaction Networks. PLoS Pathogens 7(9): e1002203. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1002203. (Journal Article)
  • Goldsmith, D., Crosti, G., Dwivedi, B., McDaniel, L., Varsani, A., Suttle, C., Weinbauer, M., Sandaa, R-A. and Breitbart, M. (2011) Development of phoH as a Novel Signature Gene for Assessing Marine Phage Diversity. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 77(21): 7730-7739. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.05531-11. (Journal Article)
  • Rosario, K., Marinov, M., Stainton, D., Kraberger, S., Wiltshire, E.J., Collings, D.A., Walters, M., Martin, D.P., Breitbart, M. and Varsani, A. (2011) Dragonfly cyclovirus, a novel single-stranded DNA virus discovered in dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera). Journal of General Virology 92(6): 1302-1308. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.030338-0. (Journal Article)
  • Martin, D.P., Linderme, D., Lefeuvre, P., Shepherd, D.N. and Varsani, A. (2011) Eragrostis minor streak virus: an Asian streak virus in Africa. Archives of Virology 156(7): 1299-1303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-011-1026-8. (Journal Article)
  • Varsani, A., Regnard, G.L., Bragg, R., Hitzeroth, I.A. and Rybicki, E.P. (2011) Global genetic diversity and geographical and host-species distribution of beak and feather disease virus isolates. Journal of General Virology 92(4): 752-767. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.028126-0. (Journal Article)
  • Monjane, A.L., van der Walt, E., Varsani, A., Rybicki, E.P. and Martin, E.P. (2011) Recombination hotspots and host susceptibility modulate the adaptive value of recombination during maize streak virus evolution. BMC Evolutionary Biology 11: 350. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-11-350. (Journal Article)
  • Martin, D.P., Biagini, P., Lefeuvre, P., Golden, M., Roumagnac, P. and Varsani, A. (2011) Recombination in eukaryotic single stranded DNA viruses. Viruses 3(9): 1699-1738. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v3091699. (Journal Article)
  • Martin, D.P., Bridon, R.W. and Varsani, A. (2011) Recombination patterns in dicot-infecting mastreviruses mirror those found in monocot-infecting mastreviruses. Archives of Virology 156(8): 1463-1469. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-011-0994-z. (Journal Article)
  • Monjane, A.L., Harkins, G.W., Martin, D.P., Lemey, P., Lefeurve, P., Shepherd, D.N., Oluwafemi, S., Simuyandi, M., Zinga, I., Komba, E.K., Lakoutene, D.P., Mandakombo, N., Mboukoulida, J., Semballa, S., Tagne, A., Tiendrébéogo, F., Erdmann, J.B., van Antwerpen, T., Owor, B.E., Flett, B., Ramusi, M., Windram, O.P., Syed, R., Lett, J-M., Briddon, R.W., Markham, P.G., Rybicki, E.P. and Varsani, A. (2011) Reconstructing the history of Maize streak virus strain A dispersal to reveal diversification hot spots and its origin in southern Africa. Journal of Virology 85(18): 9623-9636. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00640-11. (Journal Article)
  • Miller, J.L., Woodward, J., Chen, S., Jaffer, M., Weber, B., Nagasaki, K., Tomaru, Y., Wepf, R., Roseman, A., Varsani, A. and Sewell, B.T. (2011) Three-dimensional reconstruction of Heterocapsa circularisquama RNA virus by electron cryo-microscopy. Journal of General Virology 92(8): 1960-1970. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.031211-0. (Journal Article)
  • Ortiz-Catedral, L., Kurenbach, B., Massaro, M., McInnes, K., Brunton, D.H., Hauber, M.E., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2010) A new isolate of Beak and feather disease virus from endemic wild Red-fronted parakeets (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) in New Zealand. Archives of Virology 155(4): 613-620. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-010-0607-2. (Journal Article)
  • Briddon, R.W., Martin, D.P., Owor, B.E., Donaldson, L., Markham, P.G., Greber, R.S. and Varsani, A. (2010) A novel species of mastrevirus (family Geminiviridae) isolated from Digitaria didactyla grass from Australia. Archives of Virology 155(8): 1529-1534. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-010-0759-0. (Journal Article)
  • Varsani, A., de Villiers, G.K., Regnard, G., Bragg, R.R., Kondiah, K.M., Hitzeroth, I. and Rybicki, E.P. (2010) A unique isolate of beak and feather disease virus from budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulates) in South Africa. Archives of Virology 155(3): 435-439. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-010-0589-0. (Journal Article)
  • Rybicki, E.P. and Varsani, A.D. (2010) Chimaeric Human Papillomavirus 16 L1 Virus Like Particles and a Method for Preparing the Particles. Patent No. 24614765, Japan. (Intellectual Property)
  • Tazehkand, A.S., Pour, A.H., Heydarnejad, J., Varsani, A. and Massumi, H. (2010) Identification of phytoplasmas associated with cultivated and ornamental plants in Kerman province, Iran. Journal of Phytopathology 158(11-12): 713-720. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0434.2010.01682.x. (Journal Article)
  • Shepherd, D.N., Martin, D.P., van der Walt, E., Dent, K., Varsani, A. and Rybicki, E.P. (2010) Maize streak virus: an old and complex 'emerging' pathogen. Molecular Plant Pathology 11(1): 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/J.1364-3703.2009.00568.X. (Journal Article)
  • Erdmann, J.B., Shepherd, D.N., Martin, D.P., Varsani, A., Rybicki, E. and Jeske, H. (2010) Replicative intermediates of Maize streak virus found during leaf development. Journal of General Virology 91: 1077-1084. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.017574-0. (Journal Article)
  • Williamson, D.S., Dent, K.C., Weber, W.B., Varsani, A., Frederick, J., Cameron, R.A., van Heerden, J.H., Cowan, D.A. and Sewell, B.T. (2010) Structural and biochemical characterization of a nitrilase from the thermophilic bacterium, Geobacillus pallidus RAPc8. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 88(1): 143-153. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-2734-9. (Journal Article)
  • Lefeuvre, P., Martin, D.P., Harkins, G., Lemey, P., Gray, A.J.A., Meredith, S., Lakay, F., Monjane, A., Lett, J.M., Varsani, A. and Heydarnejad, J. (2010) The Spread of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus from the Middle East to the World. PLoS Pathogens 6(10): e1001164. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1001164. (Journal Article)
  • Briddon, R.W., Heydarnejad, J., Khosrowfar, F., Massumi, H., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2010) Turnip curly top virus, a highly divergent geminivirus infecting turnip in Iran. Virus Research 152(1-2): 169-175. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2010.05.016. (Journal Article)
  • Varsani, A., Shepherd, D.N., Dent, K., Monjane, A.L., Rybicki, E.P. and Martin, D.P. (2009) A highly divergent South African geminivirus species illuminates the ancient evolutionary history of this family. Virology Journal 6: 36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1743-422X-6-36. (Journal Article)
  • Lawry, R., Martin, D.P., Shepherd, D.N., van Antwerpen, T. and Varsani, A. (2009) A novel sugarcane-infecting mastrevirus from South Africa. Archives of Virology 154(10): 1699-1703. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-009-0490-x. (Journal Article)
  • Mackinder, L.C., Worthy, C.A., Biggi, G., Hall, M., Ryan, K.P., Varsani, A., Harper, G., Wilson, W.H., Brownlee, C. and Schroeder, D.C. (2009) A unicellular algal virus, Emiliania huxleyi virus 86, exploits an animal-like infection strategy. Journal of General Virology 90: 2306-2316. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.011635-0. (Journal Article)
  • Rybicki E.P., Varsani A.D. (2009) Chimaeric Human Papillomavirus 16 L1 Virus Like Particles and a Method for Preparing the Particles. Patent No. 2003232951, Australia. (Intellectual Property)
  • Rybicki E.P., Varsani A.D. (2009) Chimaeric Human Papillomavirus 16 L1 Virus Like Particles and a Method for Preparing the Particles. Patent No. 1506222, Europe (EU). (Intellectual Property)
  • Varsani, A., Monjane, A.L., Donaldson, L., Oluwafemi, S., Zinga, I., Komba, E.K., Plakoutene, D., Mandakombo, N., Mboukoulida, J., Semballa, S., Briddon, R.W., Markham, P.G., Lett, J.M., Lefeuvre, P., Rybicki, E.P. and Martin, D.P. (2009) Comparative analysis of Panicum streak virus and Maize streak virus diversity, recombination patterns and phylogeography. Virology Journal 2009(6): 194. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1743-422X-6-194. (Journal Article)
  • Lett, J.M., Lefeuvre, P., Couston, L., Hoareau, M., Thierry, M., Reynaud, B., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2009) Complete genomic sequences of Tomato yellow leaf curl Mali virus isolates infecting tomato and pepper from the North Province of Cameroon. Archives of Virology 154(3): 535-540. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-009-0313-0. (Journal Article)
  • Heydarnejad, J., Mozaffari, A., Massumi, H., Fazeli, R., Gray, A.J., Meredith, S., Lakay, F., Shepherd, D.N., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2009) Complete sequences of tomato leaf curl Palampur virus isolates infecting cucurbits in Iran. Archives of Virology 154(6): 1015-1018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-009-0389-6. (Journal Article)
  • Harkins, G.W., Martin, D.P., Duffy, S., Monjane, A.L., Shepherd, D.N., Windram, O.P., Owor, B.E., Donaldson, L., van Antwerpen, T., Sayed, R.A., Flett, B., Ramusi, M., Rybicki, E.P., Peterschmitt, M. and Varsani, A. (2009) Dating the origins of the maize-adapted strain of maize streak virus, MSV-A. Journal of General Virology 90(12): 3066-3074. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.015537-0. (Journal Article)
  • Harkins, G.W., Delport, W., Duffy, S., Wood, N., Monjane, A.L., Owor, B.E., Donaldson, L., Saumtally, S., Triton, G., Briddon, R.W., Shepherd, D.N., Rybicki, E.P., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2009) Experimental evidence indicating that mastreviruses probably did not co-diverge with their hosts. Virology Journal 6: 104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1743-422X-6-104. (Journal Article)
  • Fazeli, R., Heydarnejad, J., Massumi, H., Shaabanian, M. and Varsani, A. (2009) Genetic diversity and distribution of tomato-infecting begomoviruses in Iran. Virus Genes 38(2): 311-319. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11262-008-0310-5. (Journal Article)
  • van der Walt, E., Rybicki, E.P., Varsani, A., Polston, J.E., Billharz, R., Donaldson, L., Monjane, A.L. and Martin, D.P. (2009) Rapid host adaptation by extensive recombination. Journal of General Virology 90(3): 734-746. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.007724-0. (Journal Article)
  • Oluwafemi, S., Varsani, A., Monjane, A.L., Shepherd, D.N., Owor, B.E., Rybicki, E.P. and Martin, D.P. (2008) A new African streak virus species from Nigeria. Archives of Virology 153(7): 1407-1410. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-008-0123-9. (Journal Article)
  • Shepherd, D.N., Martin, D.P., Lefeuvre, P., Monjane, A.L., Owor, B.E., Rybicki, E.P. and Varsani, A. (2008) A protocol for the rapid isolation of full geminivirus genomes from dried plant tissue. Journal of Virological Methods 149(1): 97-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jviromet.2007.12.014. (Journal Article)
  • Windram, O.P., Weber, B., Jaffer, M.A., Rybicki, E.P., Shepherd, D.N. and Varsani, A. (2008) An investigation into the use of human papillomavirus type 16 virus-like particles as a delivery vector system for foreign proteins: N- and C-terminal fusion of GFP to the L1 and L2 capsid proteins. Archives of Virology 153(3): 585-589. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-007-0025-2. (Journal Article)
  • Varsani, A.D. and Rybicki, E.P. (2008) Chimaeric Human Papillomavirus 16 L1 Virus Like Particles and a Method for Preparing the Particles. Patent No. 7407807, US. (Intellectual Property)
  • van der Walt, E., Martin, D.P., Varsani, A., Polston, J.E. and Rybicki, E.P. (2008) Experimental observations of rapid Maize streak virus evolution reveal a strand-specific nucleotide substitution bias. Virology Journal 5(104): 11pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1743-422X-5-104. (Journal Article)
  • van Antwerpen, T., McFarlane, S.A., Buchanan, G.F., Shepherd, D.N., Martin, D.P., Rybicki, E.P. and Varsani, A. (2008) First Report of Maize streak virus Field Infection of Sugarcane in South Africa. Plant Disease 92(6): 982-982. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-92-6-0982A. (Journal Article)
  • Shepherd, D.N., Varsani, A., Windram, O.P., Lefeuvre, P., Monjane, A.L., Owor, B.E. and Martin, D.P. (2008) Novel sugarcane streak and sugarcane streak Reunion mastreviruses from southern Africa and La Reunion. Archives of Virology 153(3): 605-609. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-007-0016-3. (Journal Article)
  • Varsani, A., Oluwafemi, S., Windram, O.P., Shepherd, D.N., Monjane, A.L., Owor, B.E., Rybicki, E.P., Lefeuvre, P. and Martin, D.P. (2008) Panicum streak virus diversity is similar to that observed for maize streak virus. Archives of Virology 153(3): 601-604. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-007-0020-7. (Journal Article)
  • Rybicki E.P., Varsani A.D. and Williamson A-L. (2008) Pharmaceutical Compositions, a Method of Preparing and Isolating Said Pharmaceutical Compositions for Prophylactic Treatment of Lesions and Carcinomas. Patent No. 221817, India. (Intellectual Property)
  • Rybicki E.P., Varsani A.D. and Williamson A-L. (2008) Pharmaceutical Compositions, a Method of Preparing and Isolating Said Pharmaceutical Compositions for Prophylactic Treatment of Lesions and Carcinomas. Patent No. 02821542.7, China. (Intellectual Property)
  • Varsani, A., Shepherd, D.N., Monjane, A.L., Owor, B.E., Erdmann, J.B., Rybicki, E.P., Peterschmitt, M., Briddon, R.W., Markham, P.G., Oluwafemi, S., Windram, O.P., Lefeuvre, P., Lett, J.-M. and Martin, D.P. (2008) Recombination, decreased host specificity and increased mobility may have driven the emergence of maize streak virus as an agricultural pathogen. Journal of General Virology 89(9): 2063-2074. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.2008/003590-0. (Journal Article)
  • Castillo-Urquiza, G.P., Beserra, J.E.A., Bruckner, F.P., Lima, A.T.M., Varsani, A., Alfenas-Zerbini, P. and Zerbini, F.M. (2008) Six novel begomoviruses infecting tomato and associated weeds in Southeastern Brazil. Archives of Virology 153(10): 1985-1989. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-008-0172-0. (Journal Article)
  • Lefeuvre, P., Martin, D.P., Hoareau, M., Naze, F., Delatte, H., Thierry, M., Varsani, A., Becker, N., Reynaud, B. and Lett, J-M. (2007) Begomovirus 'melting pot' in the south-west Indian Ocean islands: Molecular diversity and evolution through recombination. Journal of General Virology 88(12): 3458-3468. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.83252-0. (Journal Article)
  • Owor, B.E., Martin, D.P., Shepherd, D.N., Edema, R., Monjane, A.L., Rybicki, E.P., Thomson, J.A. and Varsani, A. (2007) Genetic analysis of maize streak virus isolates from Uganda reveals widespread distribution of a recombinant variant. Journal of General Virology 88(11): 3154-3165. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.83144-0. (Journal Article)
  • Bredell, H., Martin, D. P., Van Harmelen, J., Varsani, A., Sheppard, H. W., Donovan, R., Gray, C. M., Williamson, C. and Hivnet028 Study Team. (2007) HIV type 1 subtype C gag and nef diversity in southern Africa. Aids Research and Human Retroviruses 23(3): 477-481. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/aid.2006.0232. (Journal Article)
  • Thuku, R.N., Weber, B.W., Varsani, A. and Sewell, B.T. (2007) Post-translational cleavage of recombinantly expressed nitrilase from Rhodococcus rhodochrous J1 yields a stable, active helical form. The FEBS Journal 274(8): 2099-2108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-4658.2007.05752.x. (Journal Article)
  • Owor, B.E., Shepherd, D.N., Taylor, N.J., Edema, R., Monjane, A.L., Thomson, J.A., Martin, D.P. and Varsani, A. (2007) Successful application of FTA® Classic Card technology and use of bacteriophage phi 29 DNA polymerase for large-scale field sampling and cloning of complete maize streak virus genomes. Journal of Virological Methods 140(1-2): 100-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jviromet.2006.11.004. (Journal Article)
  • Varsani, A., Williamson, A-L., Jaffer, M.A. and Rybicki, E.P. (2006) A deletion and point mutation study of the human papillomavirus type 16 major capsid gene. Virus Research 122(1-2): 154-163. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2006.07.012. (Journal Article)
  • Rybicki E.P., Varsani A.D. (2006) Chimaeric Human Papillomavirus 16 L1 Virus Like Particles and a Method for Preparing the Particles. Patent No. 2004/10137, South Africa. (Intellectual Property)
  • Varsani, A., van der Walt, E., Heath, L., Rybicki, E.P., Williamson, A.L. and Martin, D.P. (2006) Evidence of ancient papillomavirus recombination. Journal of General Virology 87(9): 2527-2531. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.81917-0. (Journal Article)
  • Kohl, T., Hitzeroth, I.I., Stewart, D., Varsani, A., Govan, V.A., Christensen, N.D., Williamson, A.L. and Rybicki, E.P. (2006) Plant-produced cottontail rabbit papillomavirus L1 protein protects against tumor challenge: a proof-of-concept study. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology 13(8): 845-853. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/CVI.00072-06. (Journal Article)
  • Heath, L., van der Walt, E., Varsani, A. and Martin, D. P. (2006) Recombination patterns in aphthoviruses mirror those found in other picornaviruses. Journal of Virology 80(23): 11827-11832. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JVI.01100-06. (Journal Article)
  • Shepherd, D.N., Martin, D.P., Varsani, A., Thomson, J.A., Rybicki, E.P. and Klump, H.H. (2006) Restoration of native folding of single-stranded DNA sequences through reverse mutations: An indication of a new epigenetic mechanism. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 453(1): 108-122. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2005.12.009. (Journal Article)
  • Varsani, A., Williamson, A-L., Stewart, D. and Rybicki, E.P. (2006) Transient expression of Human papillomavirus type 16 L1 protein in Nicotiana benthamiana using an infectious tobamovirus vector. Virus Research 120(1-2): 91-96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2006.01.022. (Journal Article)
  • Rybicki E.P., Varsani A.D. and Williamson A-L. (2006) Vectors and/or Constructs, and Transgenic Organisms. Patent No. 02821507.9, China. (Intellectual Property)
  • Rybicki E.P., Varsani A.D. and Williamson A-L. (2005) Pharmaceutical Compositions, a Method of Preparing and Isolating Said Pharmaceutical Compositions for Prophylactic Treatment of Lesions and Carcinomas. Patent No. 2004/2505, South Africa. (Intellectual Property)
  • Rybicki E.P., Varsani A.D. and Williamson A-L. (2005) Vectors and/or Constructs, and Transgenic Organisms. Patent No. 2004/2504, South Africa. (Intellectual Property)
  • Varsani, A., Williamson, A. L., de Villiers, D., Becker, I., Christensen, N. D. and Rybicki, E. P. (2003) Chimeric human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) L1 particles presenting the common neutralizing epitope for the L2 minor capsid protein of HPV-6 and HPV-16. Journal of Virology 77(15): 8386-8393. (Journal Article)
  • Varsani, A., Williamson, A. L., Rose, R. C., Jaffer, M. and Rybicki, E. P. (2003) Expression of Human papillomavirus type 16 major capsid protein in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi. Archives of Virology 148(9): 1771-1786. (Journal Article)