Summary
Coinfection is ubiquitous in natural populations, and within-host interactions between parasites can impact transmission. This project will investigate how these interactions drive parasite spatiotemporal dynamics.
Project background
Host-parasite systems are inherently structured in space; as we are only too aware from the COVID-19 pandemic, an individual’s infection risk depends on how close and how long they spend near infected individuals. These localised transmission events then scale up to drive parasite dynamics at the host population level, influencing how fast infections spread, and the spatial distribution of infection ‘hotspots’. Hence to manage the spread of infectious diseases we need to understand how individual infectivity, susceptibility and movement interact to drive parasite spatiotemporal dynamics at the host population level. Thus far, however, our understanding of parasite spatiotemporal dynamics has been limited to single parasite species. In reality, most individuals among wildlife, livestock, or humans in many parts of the world, are coinfected by multiple parasite species. It is well known that coinfecting parasites can interact strongly within hosts, altering susceptibility to, or pathology caused by, other parasite species, with important consequences for public health, livestock production and wildlife management. However, the extent to which these within-host interactions drive parasite spatiotemporal dynamics is unknown. Given the ubiquity of coinfecting parasites, and the strength of potential interactions between them, we are likely missing a fundamental aspect driving parasite spatiotemporal dynamics at the host population level.
Over the past >12 years, we have intensively studied wild populations of wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and have developed the tools and techniques to (1) non-destructively identify >30 parasite species (helminths, ectoparasites, protozoa, viruses, bacteria), (2) measure key wood mouse characteristics (age, sex, reproductive status, body condition, fat scores, etc) that impact their likelihood of infection/coinfection, and (3) conduct longitudinal studies and large-scale experiments that allow us to monitor each individual’s (co)infection status, and relate them to their physiological, demographic, movement patterns and behavioural metrics. The aim of this studentship is to use this amenable natural system to investigate how within-host coinfection interactions and host space use interact to drive parasite spatiotemporal dynamics.
Research questions
- How strong are within-host coinfection interactions among naturally co-occurring parasites?
- Can within-host coinfection interactions modify transmission and spread in a natural animal population?
- Does the strength, direction, and type of coinfection interaction impact the likelihood and magnitude of transmission modification?
- Can we use field experiments to quantify the consequences of within-host coinfection interactions on the spatiotemporal dynamics of multiple parasites species and the spatial scale over which these effects occur?
Methodology
The programme of research will comprise an initial period (Year 1) of training in the necessary parasitological and molecular skills, statistical skills associated with analysing spatiotemporal data, as well as extensive fieldwork at a local study site. The project will address some of the questions by conducting a parasite suppression field experiment (Year 2) to alter the infection of one parasite and then to measure the impact of that suppression on the transmission of other coinfecting parasites. In addition, the student will use data (Year 1-2) from an extensive previously collected field experiment and controlled infection/coinfection lab experiments on the wood mouse parasite community to explore the dynamical consequences of coinfection transmission modification.
Training
A comprehensive training programme will be provided comprising both specialist scientific training and generic transferable and professional skills. Training will be specifically provided in relevant parasitological, statistical and spatiotemporal modelling techniques and the successful applicant will work with researchers with a breadth of expertise in ecology, animal movement/behaviour, evolutionary biology and host-pathogen interactions.
Requirements
The successful applicant will have a biological sciences degree, either a 1st or 2i, and possibly an MSc in ecology, evolutionary biology, zoology or infectious disease/parasitology or relevant experience.
The School of Biological Sciences is committed to Equality & Diversity: https://www.ed.ac.uk/biology/equality-and-diversity
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