Project description
Preventing future lethal epidemics
Epidemics play a role in the evolution of humans. The big question is about how big or small this role is. The EU-funded SELECTIONDRIVEN project will answer this question by conducting extensive simulations. It will fill an important methodological gap by developing new statistical methods for detecting signatures of adaptive natural selection driven by lethal epidemics. By applying these new methods to genetic data from several recent epidemics, the project will investigate the role of epidemics in recent human evolution. Also, to gain insights into mechanisms that protect against infectious disease, it will identify the genetic variants that have been under selection (since they confer disease protection). The findings will assist in the prevention of future lethal epidemics like the Black Death.
Objective
Background
Lethal epidemics like the Black Death have killed millions of people and must pose an extreme selective pressure on any genetic variant that confers disease protection. Therefore, such epidemics have been hypothesized to play a key role in the evolution of humans. To what extent this is true, is a fundamental question of wide interest. Yet, it remains unanswered, in part due to limitations of the current methods to detect signatures of selection.
Objectives
I wish to accomplish three linked goals with the proposed project. The first goal is to develop new statistical methods for detecting signatures of adaptive natural selection driven by lethal epidemics. The second goal is to use these new methods to investigate the role of epidemics in recent human evolution by applying them to genetic data from several recent epidemics. The third goal is to gain insights into mechanisms that protect against infectious disease via the identification of genetic variants that have been under selection because they confer disease protection.
Methods
To reach these goals, extensive simulations will be performed to carefully characterize the genetic signatures of adaptive selection acting on a protective genetic variant during an epidemic. Then new statistical methods that can detect these signatures will be developed. Next, the new methods will be applied to several real datasets, including one from a recent Ebola epidemic. Finally, all signatures of selection detected in these real datasets will be further investigated.
Expected outcome and importance
This project will deliver new statistical methods that will move the field of selection studies a substantial step beyond the state-of-the-art by filling an important methodological gap. It will also yield key insights into the role of epidemics in recent evolutionary history. Finally, it has the potential to provide new knowledge on the genetics of disease resistance that could help prevent future lethal epidemics.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- humanities history and archaeology history
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases RNA viruses ebola
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2018-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.