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,Andrew Moore,

Sarah Behrens, Antoine Branca

Professor Dr. Joachim Kurtz

Professor Dr. Thorsten Reusch

Host parasite coevolution denotes reciprocal adaptation which, at the molecular level can be tracked down to concerted changes of genes affecting infection, mutual recognition and defence. This core project complements experimental projects within the SPP, in particular by supporting molecular analyses obtained using OMICS techniques from a bioinformatics perspective. First we plan to set up a webbased platform which aims to provide tailor-made services for experimentalists, individual computational support wherever necessary and facilitate efficient exchange of information and data. We will also provide resources for data dissemination. Second we will provide help in analysing large scale data such as transcriptomic and genomic data. Third, a stand alone research project addresses macro-evolutionary traits of molecules from the innate and adaptive immune system and puts them in a phylogenetic context with their respective parasites. We will analyse the modular domain-wise rearrangements and the selection pressure which has acted on these molecules and interpret data in conjunction with experimental data from adjoining projects. The three parts of this proposal are strongly related and connected to each other but the precise resource allocation and prioritisation of interaction with experimentalists, in particular of part B, will be determined once funding decisions have been made.