Bioinformatics Platform for the Priority Programme "Host-Parasite Coevolution" and Cross-species Analysis of Molecular Signatures of Host-Parasite Coevolution
Professor Dr. Erich Bornberg-Bauer
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel (GEOMAR)
Host parasite coevolution is defined as reciprocal adaptation. The underlying forces can be understood at the molecular level and concerted changes of genes affecting infection, mutual recognition and defense be identified. Several experiments with different host and parasite systems have been performed within the SPP1399 and they have created and are about to generate vast amounts of data. The bioinformatics platform is a core project within the SPP1399 and supports computational molecular analyses, in particular of data obtained using OMICS techniques.
Over the previous three years, bioinformatics provided infrastructural support and training to all, technical advice and scientific analyses to some groups. The platform will continue along these lines. Technical and scientific infrastructure and training will be continued via web-based platforms, dedicated databases and servers and training courses. Genomic analyses will concentrate on but not be limited to collaboration with the B.t. cluster (coordinated by Prof. Schulenburg), transcriptomic analysis will concentrate but not be limited to collaboration with microsporidia projects and synchronized with the stickleback cluster (coordinated by Prof. Reusch). As before, all members of the support platform will be mainly based in Münster and approach other project locations as we see fit.