Efrem Lim is a virologist who studies the human virome in health and disease. The virome is the diverse community of viruses harbored in and on humans, some of which cause disease while others are commensal. The Lim lab is particularly interested in understanding the interactions of the human virome in development and immunity. While most microbiome studies focus on bacteria, his interdisciplinary group sheds light on how viruses shape host-microbiome interactions.
The Lim lab integrates molecular virology and bioinformatics approaches in clinical cohorts to understand:
Their research is being used in precision medicine that personalizes the prevention and treatment of diseases to individuals.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lim lab has led research efforts to understand and prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. This includes next-generation sequencing studies of SARS-CoV-2 to identify transmission patterns and functional studies to characterize virus mutations in clinical isolates.
PhD, University of Washington
Virome, Microbiome, SARS-CoV-2
Lim Lab in the News
August 16, 2021. New funding advances Biodesign SARS-CoV-2 research. ASU News.
August 11, 2021. SARS-CoV-2: a theme and variations. ASU News.
January 29, 2021. First Cases of UK COVID-19 Variant Detected in Arizona. Arizona Department of Health Services.
September 15, 2020. Arizona genetic research group tracks initial spread of SARS-CoV-2. ASU News.
May 5, 2020. ASU scientific team finds new, unique mutation in coronavirus study. ASU News.
Also featured in ASU Now’s year in review top stories from 2020.
January 30, 2020. Mother-baby microbiome rush at birth can have lifelong health impact for the infant. ASU News.
October 24, 2019. Scientists find solution to Gulf War illness in FDA-approved antiviral drugs. ASU News.
Spring 2022 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
MIC 494 | Special Topics |
BIO 494 | Special Topics |
MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Fall 2021 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
MIC 220 | Biology of Microorganisms |
BIO 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Summer 2021 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Spring 2021 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
MIC 494 | Special Topics |
BIO 494 | Special Topics |
MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Fall 2020 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
MIC 220 | Biology of Microorganisms |
BIO 493 | Honors Thesis |
MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Summer 2020 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Spring 2020 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
MIC 492 | Honors Directed Study |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Fall 2019 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
MIC 220 | Biology of Microorganisms |
BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Summer 2019 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
MIC 495 | Undergraduate Research |
Spring 2019 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
MIC 494 | Special Topics |
BIO 494 | Special Topics |
Fall 2018 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
MIC 220 | Biology of Microorganisms |
Spring 2018 | |
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Course Number | Course Title |
MIC 494 | Special Topics |
BIO 494 | Special Topics |
MIC 494/BIO 494 - Human Pathogenic Viruses and Infectious Diseases (3.0 credits)
Class is offered in the Spring semesters.
Tues, Thur. 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm.
Location to be determined (Tempe campus).
Course description: Students will learn basic and advanced concepts in medical virology. The major emphasis will be on significant human diseases caused by viral pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, HIV, ebola, influenza, measles and others.
MIC 220 - Biology of Microorganisms (3.0 credits)
Class is offered in Fall and Spring semesters (I teach the Fall courses)
Mon, Wed. 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm.
Location to be deteremined (Tempe campus).
Course description: Introductory microbiology for students majoring in the life sciences. Detailed study of microbial cells, their structure, genetics, physiology and taxonomy.
Course schedule and other information:
https://viromelab.org/courses/
2022 ASU Founders’ Day Faculty Research Achievement Award
2016 NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
2013 - 2016 The Eli & Edythe Broad Fellowship, Life Sciences Research Foundation
2011 - 2012 Helen Riaboff Whiteley Graduate Fellowship Award, University of Washington, Dept. of Microbiology
2009 - 2011 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Interdisciplinary Training Fellowship
2010 Young Investigator Award. 17th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI)
2009 Neal B. Groman Teaching Award, University of Washington Dept. of Microbiology, Seattle, WA
Academic Editor, PLOS ONE
Topic Editorial Board, Viruses
Young Investigator Editorial Board, AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
American Society for Virology, Program Planning Committee
Division Lead, Arizona Wellbeing Commons - Viruses, Immunity, Microbiomes and Infectious Diseases