Postdoctoral Training in the Hantavirus Project Ecology

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请的目的是培训和扩大来自智利的博士后科学家的能力。这位博士后科学家的目的是检验血清阳性O。longicaudatus在地中海比在温带森林更集中，因为该物种在智利中部的分布更分散。这种在地中海地区的斑块分布模式是由于景观的生态特征;主要是智利中部是干燥的水库物种所需的首选梅西奇栖息地少。斑块分布将限制种群中个体的移动（即，基因流动），并在种群中创造更大的地理结构。这种集中的、斑块状的分布也会导致更多中位区的局部人群中的接触率更高。这种模式应反映在分子水平上的人口应该更遗传结构的北方范围内的物种，在智利南部的温带森林的人口。此外，培训计划将评估人口内和人口间的 基因流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州大学库克博士和耶茨博士的联合实验室获得与分子群体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工作关系将为正在进行的这些水库人群的定量病毒RTPCR（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.