Factors that influence the amount and pattern of genetic diversity in ZYMV

RNA病毒具有高突变率，因此通常具有高遗传变异和响应宿主防御而快速进化的高能力。RNA病毒的进化遗传学很重要，因为该组包括许多植物和动物的重要病原体，包括人类，家畜和作物。该项目将研究西葫芦黄花叶病毒的种群，这是一种RNA病毒，是南瓜、甜瓜和黄瓜的重要病原体，并将利用现代基因测序技术确定宿主间传播方式和宿主内生长对病毒进化遗传学的影响。 该项目将记录一种重要作物病原体的遗传多样性，并阐明宿主内和从一个宿主传播到另一个宿主期间的种群增长动态如何影响RNA病毒种群的遗传多样性的一般问题。研究结果将为一组导致广泛农业损失的病原体的管理策略提供信息。该项目还为本科生提供以研究为基础的培训机会。

RNA viruses have high rates of mutation and so typically have high genetic variation and high capacity to evolve rapidly in response to host defenses. The evolutionary genetics of RNA viruses are important because the group includes significant pathogens of many plants and animals, including humans, domestic animals, and crop plants. This project will study populations of the Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus, an RNA virus that is an important pathogen of squashes, melons, and cucumbers, and will determine the influence of mode of transmission from host to host and growth within a host on the evolutionary genetics of the virus using modern gene sequencing technologies. This project will document genetic diversity of an important crop pathogen and will illuminate the general question of how the dynamics of population growth within hosts and during transmission from one host to another influence genetic diversity of populations of an RNA virus. Results will inform management strategies for a group of pathogens that cause extensive agricultural losses. The project also provides research-based training opportunities for undergraduates.