In collaboration with the California Department of Public Health, we are using metagenomics to study viruses that cause influenza-like illness, currently focusing on genetic analysis of strains from the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak. We are also collaborating with groups in Mexico and Canada to investigate viral causes of gastroenteritis and respiratory infection in the setting of unexplained outbreaks. In addition, a major goal of the lab is to validate the Virochip as a clinical diagnostic test. In collaboration with Dr. Steve Miller and the CLIA-certified UCSF microbiology laboratory, we are initially focusing on using the Virochip to diagnose viruses associated with respiratory infections in immunocompromised transplant patients.