Theoretical Evolutionary Epidemiology

理论进化流行病学

• 批准号: CRC-2021-00276
• 负责人: MacPherson, Ailene
• 金额: $ 8.74万
• 依托单位: Simon Fraser University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Canada Research Chairs
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=758434
• 关键词: Theoretical; Evolutionary; Epidemiology

Dr. Ailene MacPherson's research program addresses fundamental questions at the intersection of evolution, ecology, and epidemiology. The long-term goal is to use infectious diseases to explore species interactions. During the proposed CRC term, Dr. MacPherson will address two short-term objectives: 1) Develop methods for robustly estimating infectious disease dynamics from viral genomic data and 2) Analyze mathematical models and develop statistical inference methods to examine coevolution between hosts and infectious pathogens and to facilitate the design of effective genetic conservation strategies. The MacPherson research team will tackle these research objectives with a multifaceted approach. For Objective 1 they will develop and apply methods for analyzing viral genome sequences to inform disease dynamics. Specifically, the team will focus on the estimation of epidemiological parameters of particular importance in natural populations and for the design of innovative public health strategies, such as the development of transmissible vaccines. Objective 2 consists of four complementary approaches. First, the team will develop mathematical population genetic models to contrast local versus global patterns of coevolutionary adaptation. Then they will use the findings from Objective 1 to expand and synthesize theoretical perspectives on the effect of species interactions on biological diversity. In the final two approaches, Dr. MacPherson and her research team will transition from a mathematical to a statistical framework, using patterns of parasite local adaptation to identify genes involved in species interactions and to design genetic conservation strategies to help rescue species at risk of extinction from infectious disease. The outcomes of the proposed research will provide insights on existential scientific challenges faced by Canadians, from pandemic control to conservation.

艾琳·麦克弗森（Ailene MacPherson）博士的研究计划解决了进化，生态学和流行病学交集的基本问题。长期目标是使用传染病来探索物种相互作用。在拟议的CRC术语中，MacPherson博士将解决两个短期目标：1）开发了从病毒基因组数据中稳健估计感染性疾病动态的方法，2）分析数学模型并开发统计推断方法，以检查宿主和感染性病原体之间的协同进化方法，并促进有效遗传保护策略的设计。麦克弗森研究团队将通过多方面的方法来解决这些研究目标。对于目标1，他们将开发和采用分析病毒基因组序列以告知疾病动态的方法。具体而言，团队将重点介绍自然种群中特别重要的流行病学参数以及创新的公共卫生策略（例如开发可传染性疫苗）的设计。目标2由四种互补方法组成。首先，该团队将开发数学人群遗传模型，以对比局部和整体适应的全球模式。然后，他们将利用目标1的发现来扩展和综合物种相互作用对生物多样性的影响的理论观点。在最后两种方法中，MacPherson博士和她的研究团队将使用寄生虫局部适应的模式从数学转变为统计框架，以识别涉及物种相互作用的基因并设计遗传保护策略，以帮助挽救从感染性疾病中灭绝的物种。拟议研究的结果将为从大流行控制到保护的加拿大人面临的存在科学挑战提供见解。