Parasite driven selection of the insect immune genome. UK

BES funded PhD (3 years) at the University of Leicester, U.K.

Parasite driven selection of the insect immune genome.
Supervisor: Dr. E.B. Mallon
http://www.le.ac.uk/bl/ebm3/homepage.html

Large numbers of studies have looked at vertebrate immune variability in the
wild (e.g. MHC). This work has been important in understanding much of
vertebrate intraspecific ecology. Very little work has been carried out in
invertebrates. However it is known that resistance for various parasites is
highly variable in invertebrates and that variation is heritable. Vertebrate
immune variability is thought to arise due to selection pressure of
parasites, more specifically the entire parasite fauna that the animal will
be exposed to. Is this also the case with invertebrates?

The aim of this PhD is to discover if parasite driven selection plays as
important a role in invertebrate ecological immunity as it does in
vertebrate�s. We will use the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, as our insect
host. The student will collect large samples of bumblebees from different
populations throughout the U.K. He/She will survey all the parasites found
and produce a parasite diversity index for each population. Our lab has a
number of candidate genes used in bumblebee immunity. The student will
discover the variation in each population for each of these genes. If
parasites are a selectional pressure on these immune genes, we would expect
that populations with diverse parasite faunas have the most variable immune
genome.

Candidates must hold, or expect to obtain, a Master�s degree in a relevant
subject. Note that eligibility is restricted to UK/EU nationals.

To apply please send, by email if possible, a detailed CV with names and
contact details (email and address) of two academic referees to;-
Dr. Eamonn Mallon, Department of Biology, University of Leicester,
Leicester, LE1 7RH; email ebm3@le.ac.uk <lh116@le.ac.uk>
Closing date for applications: October 1st, 2007. The start date will be
February 2008

--
Dr. Eamonn Mallon
Room 221
Department of Biology
University of Leicester
LE1 7RH
Tel: 0116 2523488
Fax: 0116 2523330





ebm3@leicester.ac.uk