PhD defence J.S. (Jasmin) Kutter

Respiratory viruses are transmitted via direct or indirect contact, or via the air in the form of fine aerosols or larger respiratory droplets. Many variables affect the transmission routes of respiratory viruses19,21 and these variables can differ for each virus. For this reason, it is very difficult to gain a thorough understanding of the relative importance of each of the above-mentioned routes in virus transmission. Consequently, there is no one-size-fits-all experiment, but multiple approaches are necessary to acquire a better understanding of respiratory virus transmission via a specific route. Air sampling is a valuable tool with which quantitative data such as the number of respiratory virus particles in the air of different environments and their infectivity can be obtained, with or without size-fractionation of the air samples. Animal models are used for fundamental research on the viral and environmental properties that may affect the transmission routes and allow qualitative analyses of the transmissibility of respiratory viruses. Ultimately, a thorough understanding of respiratory virus transmission between humans via a specific route can only be gained by studying respiratory virus transmission in humans themselves.

The PhD defences do not take place publicly in the usual way in the Senate Hall at campus Woudestein or in the Professor Andries Querido Room at the Erasmus MC. The candidates will defend their dissertation either in a small group or online.