Objective Bacterial virulence has been traditionally thought to co-evolve in reciprocal selection with its host organism. However, in nature pathogens are embedded within a web of interactions which could indirectly affect evolution of bacterial virulence. Recent findings suggest that protozoan predation could increase pathogen virulence because bacterial defensive adaptations can correlate positively with bacterial ability to harm hosts. Yet, protozoan predation could also decrease bacterial virulence if increased allocation to anti-predatory traits is traded off with pathogen virulence. Thus, different type of protozoa could select for different anti-predatory adaptations which have opposite consequences for the evolution of bacterial virulence. Selection by other enemies such as phages (parasitic viruses) or abiotic environment could also select for bacterial traits that have correlated effects on pathogen virulence. However, despite indirect evidence that evolutionary interactions with natural enemies can drive bacterial virulence evolution, the direct, experimental evidence is lacking. In this proposal I concentrate on how protozoa and phage enemies affect the evolution of a bacterium’s (Pseudomonas fluorescens) defensive and virulence traits in two- and multi-species study systems in different environmental conditions. I will first perform microcosm experiments where I expose bacteria to single or multiple enemies, and then determine evolutionary changes in bacterial traits and measure the virulence in invertebrate host. The main aim is to determine how different microbial enemies indirectly select for bacterial virulence, and how defence and virulence related traits are correlated. Importantly, I will learn to work with P. fluorescens-phage system and perfect my skills in virulence assays. The concept of proposal is novel, merges knowledge between two labs and will strengthen the status of Europe as leading region in the study of experimental evolution. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyvirologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyprotozoology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER EU contribution € 181 103,20 Address THE QUEEN'S DRIVE NORTHCOTE HOUSE EX4 4QJ Exeter United Kingdom See on map Region South West (England) Devon Devon CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Samantha Irish (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD Participation ended United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES OX1 2JD Oxford See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Linda Polik (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
