parasites and their intermediate host snails
Overview
Host-pathogen compatibility is determined by both host and parasite genes. There are multiple models of how this evolves (gene for gene coevolution and gene matching models) but rather few examples of where this is understood at the molecular level.
We are using genetic crosses and bulk segregant approaches to determine the parasite genes involved. The Blouin lab is using genetic approaches to determine the snail genes involved.
We hope to understand both snail and parasite molecules involved and how the interact.