Phylogeography is the study of how the evolutionary history of species is influenced by geographic factors. It combines principles from genetics, ecology, and biogeography to understand how populations of organisms have diversified and spread across different regions. By analyzing genetic variations among individuals and populations, it is possible to reconstruct ancestral relationships, track migration patterns, and uncover the processes that have shaped the distribution of biodiversity on Earth.
Because of genetic variation in population level, it is possible to determine individual`s geographical origin with adequate precision by studying their DNA. Humans also carry genetic information from viruses that we acquire mostly in the early stages of life. Those persistent viruses are viruses that remain in spesific cells after primary infection.
By collecting virus sequence data and performing phylogeographical analysis, our aim is to study whether the molecular information of these viruses contain information about the geographical origin of the individual.