Host-Parasite Evolution and Genetics

There is enormous variation within populations of insects in their susceptibility to infectious disease. This variation is important as it determines the rate at which insects like mosquitoes transmit disease, and whether beneficial insects like bees can survive infection. Furthermore, by studying this variation we can understand the evolutionary arms races that occur between hosts and parasites.

The aim of this project is to investigate the causes of this variation, by identifying the genes that cause variation in the resistance of Drosophila to viruses. Using whole-genome approaches we will identify polymorphisms controlling resistance. We can then go on to study how natural selection is acting on this variation in natural populations, which will provide insights into how parasites drive the evolution of their hosts.