From Bats to Pandemics: How Bat Immune Systems Fuel Deadly Viruses

Bats are the only mammals to have evolved the ability to fly, a trait that has made them one of the most successful mammalian species on the planet. However, flight comes with a significant challenge: heat. The intense metabolic demands of flight generate body temperatures that would be lethal for humans. To cope with this, bats have adapted by modifying various physiological processes, including immune function and inflammation, to reduced excess heat production. This unique modulation of the immune response has created a distinct evolutionary pressure on viruses, shaping how they replicate and adapt. In this talk, we will explore how these adaptations in bat immunity drive the selection of highly virulent viruses—some of which have spilled over into humans, contributing to outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thomas Worthington was born and raised in the UK and completed his undergraduate degree in Medical Sciences from the University of Exeter. He is currently a second year PhD student in the department of Microbiology and Immunology, under the supervision of Dr Marc Horwitz. Thomas's research aims to further our understanding of how viral infections contribute to the onset of autoimmune diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis.