Ontology-based Host Similarity for Predicting Virus Host Range

This project explores how the biological relatedness of species—measured using the official “tree of life” taxonomy—can help predict which animals or plants a virus might infect. The student will build a similarity map between organisms using public databases, then test whether viruses that infect one species are likely to infect its close relatives. This research could help scientists better understand how viruses spread across species and design better early-warning systems for emerging diseases. The project combines computer science and biology, giving the student valuable interdisciplinary training, and strengthens collaboration between the participating universities in AI-driven health research.

Faculty Supervisor:

Khadidja Henni

Student:

Partner:

Lebanese International University

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Biotechnology; Health and Related Sciences and Technology; Artificial Intelligence

University:

Université TÉLUQ

Program:

Globalink Research Award

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