Colin Russell

Virus evolution

We are computational and wet lab biologists working at the interface of evolution, epidemiology, and pathogen biology. We use empirically derived data on pathogens and their hosts to understand pathogen evolution. This includes integrative analyses of pathogen genetic and phenotypic data, as well as clinical and epidemiological data to study the molecular determinants of protein evolution, host-pathogen interactions and pathogenesis, within-host pathogen diversity, and between-host pathogen epidemiology.

We work closely with scientists in other wet laboratories and clinical settings to inform experimental design and acquire primary data. Our research employs a range of computational techniques including modelling of protein structures, molecular phylogenetics, statistical models for quantifying pathogen phenotypes, and mathematical models for broad data synthesis.

Research team

Head of the team

Colin Russell, Professor of Applied Evolutionary Biology 

I study the evolution of pathogens and the host responses that control them. Most of my research focuses on influenza viruses and other respiratory viruses but I am interested in pathogens of all kinds. I received my BSc from Emory University in 2001 and my PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2006. Following my PhD, I remained at the University of Cambridge, first as a Junior Research Fellow of Clare College and then as a Royal Society University Research Fellow.

In 2017, I moved to AMC to head the Laboratory of Applied Evolutionary Biology. I am a current ERC Consolidator Awardee (2019-2024) and ZonMw/NWO VICI Laureate (2021-2026).

Team members
  • Dirk Eggink – Assistant Professor, molecular virology
  • Zandra Felix Garza – Postdoc and wet lab lead, experimental virus evolution
  • Joseph Gibson – Postdoc, epidemiological modelling
  • Laura van Groeningen - Technician
  • Karen de Haan – Technician
  • Alvin Han – Postdoc, computational and statistical models for virus evolution
  • Marliek van Hoesel – Technician
  • Simon de Jong – PhD student, molecular epidemiology
  • Sarah van Leeuwen – Technician
  • Ruben Walen – PhD student, bioinformatics
News & Publications

April 2020 – Colin awarded an NOW/ZonMw VICI to study the evolution of antibody mediated immune responses to seasonal influenza viruses.

Publications

Colin Russell - Publications

Contact
Prof. Colin Russell
Email: c.a.russell@amsterdamumc.nl