Elucidating the origins and evolution of antiviral defence systems in animals
Supervisors:
David L Robertson, Virus Research, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow
Joseph Hughes, Centre for Virus Research, School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow
Summary
Studying how genes function in different animal species to combat infection is informative for improving both animal and human health. In the case of pathogens switching to different host species, innate immunity is the key player in anti-viral defence against emerging viruses. The innate immune response is triggered following detection of infection, which activate signalling pathways controlled by interferons (IFNs) and other cytokines. A dominant role of IFNs is the activation of the antiviral state through the induction of expression of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that play a key role in both tackling infection and modulating the immune response. Importantly it has been demonstrated that different species have unique sets of IFNs and ISGs, shared through evolution but also with regular gain (via gene duplication) or loss of specific genes or their expression.
We hypothesise that the types of IFNs and ISGs in species reveals both shared and distinct responses to virus challenges. Our approach will utilise comparative interrogation of animal immune defence systems influenced by the co-evolutionary arms-race between pathogen and host to identify mechanisms that afford greater control of infections. The student will be trained in bioinformatics, data analysis and programming, coupled with evolutionary and experimental biology.