RCN: Infectious Disease Evolution Across Scales

RCN：跨尺度的传染病演变

• 批准号: 1354890
• 负责人: Andrea Graham
• 金额: $ 49.99万
• 依托单位: Princeton University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-07-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1354890&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: RCN; Infectious; Disease; Evolution; Across

This Research Coordination Network will investigate pathogens across scales of biological organization with the goal of better understanding of the processes that determine pathogen transmission and disease occurrence. Why do pathogens, even different strains within a species, differ so dramatically in the severity of disease induced in a host? And why do pathogens vary in efficiency of transmission from one host to the next? These questions focus on different biological scales (the host organism versus the host population) yet are inextricably connected in determining evolutionary pressures on pathogens: persistence of a strain is jointly determined by exploitation of individual hosts and by transmission across the host population. Network activities will build collaborations among microbiologists, immunologists, epidemiologists and evolutionary biologists via workshops and research exchanges. Network members will develop data and tools to: a) identify causes of variation among strains of important pathogens; b) predict pathogen evolution in diverse immunological and epidemiological contexts; and c) design medical interventions to minimize chances of pathogen evolution rendering drugs or vaccines obsolete. This project will bring benefits to multiple stakeholders. For researchers, the Network will provide a database with linked analytical tools, plus ample training opportunities. For students of biology, mathematics and medicine, the Network will generate teaching modules that convey interdisciplinary skills and insights. Finally, the Network will promote the development of evolution-proof medical treatments.

该研究协调网络将调查各种生物组织规模的病原体，目的是更好地了解决定病原体传播和疾病发生的过程。为什么病原体，甚至是同一物种中的不同菌株，在宿主中诱发疾病的严重程度上如此显著？为什么病原体从一个宿主到另一个宿主的传播效率不同？这些问题集中在不同的生物尺度（宿主生物与宿主种群），但在确定病原体的进化压力方面又有着千丝万缕的联系：菌株的持久性是由个体宿主的利用和宿主种群间的传播共同决定的。 网络活动将通过研讨会和研究交流，在微生物学家、免疫学家、流行病学家和进化生物学家之间建立合作。网络成员将开发数据和工具，以：a）查明重要病原体菌株之间变异的原因; B）预测不同免疫学和流行病学背景下的病原体演变; c）设计医疗干预措施，尽量减少病原体演变导致药物或疫苗过时的可能性。该项目将为多个利益攸关方带来好处。对研究人员来说，该网络将提供一个数据库，其中有相互关联的分析工具，以及充足的培训机会。 对于生物学、数学和医学专业的学生，该网络将生成传授跨学科技能和见解的教学模块。 最后，该网络将促进防进化医学的发展。