Supervisors:
Dr Sandra Telfer - Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences - [Email Address Removed]
Dr Chris Sutherland - St Andrews, Center for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling - [Email Address Removed]
Professor Xavier Lambin - Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences - [Email Address Removed]
Professor Richard Birtles - University of Salford, School of Science, Engineering and Environment - [Email Address Removed]
Understanding the mechanisms and processes involved in the generation and dynamics of pathogen diversity is critical if we want to manage disease risk, especially for diseases that infect multiple host species and exhibit the poorly understood phenomenon of “spillover” to new hosts. Gene and genome diversity, and associated phenotypes, are a consequence of processes operating at varying levels from genomes to ecosystems. New genetic variants may allow infection of new host species or change virulence, but their subsequent dynamics will depend on their fitness in the context of the prevailing population conditions. We therefore need to understand the drivers of pathogen dynamics and diversity in natural populations.
Bartonella infections in wild rodent populations are an ideal model system to examine these issues. Bartonella are intracellular bacteria that are transmitted by fleas. Rodent-associated Bartonella species exhibit extremely high genetic diversity, high prevalence within host populations (>40%), and include several species associated with human disease. Genomic analyses indicate that Bartonella have evolved strategies to promote diversity and flea vectors appear to have a key role by promoting lateral gene transfer.
This project will use new and archived samples from water vole metapopulations to examine the generation and dynamics of Bartonella diversity. Studies over the last 20 years provide unparalleled knowledge of the metapopulation dynamics (e.g. extinction-recolonisation), as well as the distribution and abundance of alternative host and vector species.
The project will
(1) quantify spatio-temporal patterns of intraspecific diversity for the three Bartonella species detected in this system using whole genome sequencing approaches, and explore phenotypic properties of different genotypes (host and vector specificity).
(2) determine how the spatial-temporal dynamics of different Bartonella species are influenced by e.g. host dispersal patterns, population connectivity, distribution of alternative hosts and coinfection.
The project would suit a student with a background in molecular ecology or epidemiology and numerical skills, who has interests in spatial ecology, disease ecology and landscape genetics. The project will be conducted in association with an ongoing field study of water vole metapopulations. The student will use next generation sequencing approaches and hierarchical spatial models to account for uncertainty in detection at all stages of the sampling process. The student will be given a thorough training in laboratory skills, the analysis of genomic and genetic data and advanced statistical modelling that make it possible to remove sampling noise from pathogen detection data.
It may be possible to undertake this project part-time, in discussion with the lead supervisor, however, please note that part-time study is unavailable to students who require a Student Visa to study within the UK.
Application Procedure:
Please visit this page for full application information: http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk/how-apply-0
Please send your completed EASTBIO application form, along with academic transcripts to Alison Innes at [Email Address Removed]
Two references should be provided by the deadline using the EASTBIO reference form.
Please advise your referees to return the reference form to [Email Address Removed]
Unfortunately, due to workload constraints, we cannot consider incomplete applications
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