BBSRC Portfolio Analyser
Award details
Evolutionary ecology of host responses to parasitic infection
Reference
S08400
Principal Investigator / Supervisor
Professor Andrew Read
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Dr David Bryant
Institution
University of Edinburgh
Department
Inst of Cell, Animal and Population Biol
Funding type
Research
Value (£)
56,819
Status
Completed
Type
Research Grant
Start date
12/01/1998
End date
12/05/1999
Duration
16 months
Abstract
Natural selection should favour a level of responsiveness to parasitic infection which balances the host-inflicted costs of responding (resources, immunopathology) against the parasite- inflicted costs of not doing so. This idea, on the interface of evolutionary ecology and immunology, has implications for both those fields as well as attempts to artificially enhance immune protection. We will develop an experimental approach to analysing the optimality of host responsiveness using indirect calorimetry of rats infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. With this model, we will separate the energetic costs of infection per se from those of responses to that infection. This will provide a firm empirical base for a cost-benefit analysis of immunity.
Summary
unavailable
Committee
Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics
X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority
X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative
X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme
X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
I accept the
terms and conditions of use
(opens in new window)
export PDF file
back to list
new search