Research Grant
[Cite as https://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP0209447]Researchers: Prof Rossiter Crozier (Chief Investigator) , Prof Paul Schmid-Hempel (Partner Investigator)
Brief description Evolutionary genetics of the immune system in social insects. Insects possess efficient innate immunity against pathogens, but social insects are suggested to be vulnerable due to their packed colonies of related individuals. We predict that pathogen pressure varies with life history and microhabitat details, and that this variation will be reflected in the molecular evolutionary rates of immune system genes. Sequence information will be obtained to test these predictions. The results should be of widespread interest as reflecting the importance of pathogens and life pattern, and increase our knowledge of insect immune systems, potentially enabling circumvention of pest defenses and better protection of beneficial species.
Funding Amount $571,000
Funding Scheme Discovery Projects
- PURL : https://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP0209447
- ARC : DP0209447