Programme Coordination for the Priority Programme SPP 1399 on Host-Parasite Coevolution

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The main goal of the priority programme 1399 “Host-Parasite Coevolution” is to establish host-parasite coevolution as a powerful and versatile model for analyzing the causes and processes of evolutionary adaptation. The priority programme integrates a wide range of research efforts within Germany, and makes this research internationally visible. The opportunity for larger, concerted research within a priority programme enables us to uncover the molecular basis of evolutionary change during host-parasite coevolution. To achieve these goals, researchers with very diverse expertise, such as evolutionary biology, parasitology, microbiology and bioinformatics collaborate with each other. Moreover, rather than working on just one model organism, data is acquired from many different species of hosts and parasites. While primary data and specific conclusions for each study organism will be provided by the individual projects, we will identify general patterns with the help of a unifying theoretical framework. The success of such a programme critically relies on excellent tools for communication, data exchange and coordination within the programme and with international researchers. We have implemented a number of tools to facilitate collaboration and achieve added value, namely a programme structure consisting of clusters and individual projects, central bioinformatics support, a joint website and Wiki, doctoral students' lab rotations, an international advisory board and regular symposia and workshops. We seek to further intensify our collaboration in the next funding period and to thereby create sustainable structures for inter-disciplinary approaches in the field of host-parasite coevolution.