Math Biology Seminar: Ailene MacPherson

  • Date: 03/01/2017
  • Time: 13:45
Lecturer(s):
Ailene MacPherson, UBC
Location: 

University of British Columbia

Topic: 

Host-parasite coevolution and a few reasons why you should care.

Description: 

From the common cold to crop blights, the consequences of host-parasite interactions on our daily lives are unavoidable. Beginning with an overview of the diversity and abundance of host-parasite interactions I will explore several of the evolutionary consequences of host-parasite coevolution, including the maintenance of sexual reproduction and the evolution of gene expression. I will then present results from two projects illustrating the impact of host-parasite coevolution on disease epidemiology. First, I explore how host-parasite interactions can alter disease dynamics, affecting when disease will spread as well as the long term abundance of infection. Second, by modeling genetic-association studies, I will illustrate how host-parasite coevolution can alter our understanding of the genetic basis of infectious disease.

Other Information: 

Location: ESB 4127