Bats are among the most ecologically important mammals in Latin America, where they contribute to pollination, seed dispersal, forest regeneration, and natural pest control. However, rapid urbanization and land-use change are increasingly bringing human populations, domestic animals, and wildlife into closer contact. These changes not only threaten biodiversity but also create new opportunities for the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. In this context, protecting bat populations and their habitats is essential for both ecosystem conservation and public health.
Genomic surveillance plays a key role in this effort by helping scientists understand the diversity, evolution, and distribution of pathogens in wildlife populations. By studying viruses in their natural reservoirs, researchers can improve disease preparedness while generating evidence to support conservation strategies grounded in ecological knowledge rather than fear or misinformation. This One Health perspective recognizes the strong connections between environmental, animal, and human health.
UNU-BIOLAC fellow Román Espinal Palomino investigated the genomic diversity of bat-associated Influenza A(H18N11) viruses in Mexico. Through molecular and bioinformatic analyses of bat samples collected in the Yucatán Peninsula, he confirmed the virus's circulation in local bat populations, generating valuable genomic information that contributes to understanding its evolutionary relationships across the Americas.
During his fellowship at the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo, Román strengthened his expertise in molecular virology, genomic sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and bioinformatics, a hands-on experience with advanced tools for pathogen detection and genomic surveillance that fostered collaboration between research groups in Mexico and Brazil.
On behalf of UNU-BIOLAC, we express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Angélica C. Campos Almeida for hosting the fellowship and providing institutional and scientific support at the Institut Pasteur de São Paulo. We also thank Dr. Luis Gustavo Góes for his mentorship and guidance. The ultimate goal is to enhance Latin America's ability to respond to emerging health challenges through science-based approaches.
