Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/C511213/1

Linking genomes to ecology: Molecular evolution of the immune-related genome of Daphnia pulex.

Principal Investigator:: Professor T Little, University of Edinburgh, Inst of Evolutionary Biology
Co-Investigator:: Professor ML Blaxter, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Tree of Life
Grant held at:: University of Edinburgh, Inst of Evolutionary Biology

ENRIs:: Biodiversity
Science Topics:: Environmental Genomics; Population Genetics/Evolution; Population Ecology

Abstract:: Daphnia are small shrimp-like crustaceans (~0.1 to 1 mm) that live in fresh water. They are commonly known as water fleas. We are interested in looking at the immune system of Daphnia because they are an ideal system for matching up laboratory based work with the real world of wild populations. We already know a lot about the ecology of Daphnia, and are starting to understand how Daphnia are infected with pathogens and parasites in the wild. We have some evidence that the genes of the Daphnia play a major role in whether or not the water flea is infected. Interestingly, we would expect any parasite to try to outwit Daphnia's immune system, and so we predict there will be an 'arms race' of defence and counterattack going on. The us genome sequencing program is going to complete the genome sequence of a Daphnia in early 2005. We would like to use this new information to go into wild populations of Daphnia and look for evidence that evolution has been acting on genes involved in Daphnia's resistance to infection, If we can find genes that look like they have been evolving to avoid parasites (and are part of an arms race), we will be able to investigate how Daphnia, and many other wild animals, cope with parasites in the long term.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £321,251

Total - Staff	Total - T&S	Total - Other Costs	Total - Equipment	Total - Indirect Costs
£167,007	£10,423	£49,677	£17,322	£76,824

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