Postdoctoral Training in the Hantavirus Project Ecology

描述(由申请者提供)：本申请的目标是培养和扩大一名智利博士后科学家的能力。这位博士后科学家的目标是检验一种假设，即血清阳性的长尾鱼比温带森林更集中于地中海，因为该物种在智利中部的分布更零散。地中海地区的这种零星分布模式是由于该地区的生态特征所致；主要是智利中部较干燥，较少有水库物种所需的首选中间栖息地。零星的分布将限制个体在种群之间的流动(即基因流动)，并在种群之间创造更大的地理结构。这种集中的、零星的分布也会在更偏僻的地区的本地化人口中导致更高的接触率。这种模式应该反映在分子水平上，因为与智利南部温带森林的种群不同，种群应该在物种的北部范围内更具遗传结构。此外，培训计划将评估人口内和人口间的融合程度。 基因流动是智利两个主要生态区之间地理距离的函数，也是纬度(因此是气候)的函数。博士后科学家将在新墨西哥大学库克博士和耶茨博士的联合实验室获得与分子种群遗传学和进化相关的实验室技术、分析和理论方面的专业知识。与Brian Hjelle博士的病毒学实验室的密切合作关系将为正在进行的对这些宿主群体的定量病毒RT-PCR(TaqMan)研究提供关键联系。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objectives of this application are to train and expand the capabilities of a post doctoral scientist from Chile. The aims of the post doctoral scientist are to test the hypothesis that seropositive O. longicaudatus are more concentrated in the Mediterranean than in the Temperate Forests, because the species has a more patchy distribution in central Chile. This patchy distribution pattern in the Mediterranean region is due to the ecological characteristics of the landscape; primarily central Chile is drier with less of the preferred mesic habitat required by the reservoir species. A patchy distribution would restrict movement of individuals among populations (i.e., gene flow) and create greater geographic structure among populations. This concentrated, patchy distribution would also induce a higher contact rate within the localized populations of the more mesic areas. This pattern should be reflected at the molecular level as populations should be more genetically structured in the northern range of the species, in contrast to populations of the Temperate Forests in southern Chile. Furthermore, the training plan will provide an assessment of the degree of intra and interpopulational gene flow as a function of geographical distance among the two major eco-regions in Chile, as well as a function of latitude (hence climate). Post doctoral scientist will gain expertise in laboratory techniques, analyses and theory related to molecular population genetics and evolution in the combined laboratories of Drs. Cook and Yates at the University of New Mexico. A close working relationship with the virology laboratory of Dr. Brian Hjelle will provide a key connection to the ongoing quantitative viral RTPCR (TaqMan)studies of these reservoir populations.