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SUMMARY:Population structure and evolution of virulence in plant viruses -
  Professor Fernando García-Arenal\, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
DTSTART:20061026T150000Z
DTEND:20061026T160000Z
UID:TALK5285@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:3901
DESCRIPTION:Virulence\, defined as the negative effect of pathogens in the
  fitness of their hosts is the key property of pathogens. Virulence can be
  a selectable trait\, and much effort has been made for the formal underst
 anding of virulence evolution. Most models assume that virulence is an una
 voidable trait of the within host multiplication of pathogens\, and that t
 here are trade-offs between virulence and horizontal transmission. Experim
 ental support for these assumptions does not abound and evidence from plan
 t viruses is lacking. Results from experiments aimed at testing these hypo
 theses will be presented\, showing no relation between virus accumulation 
 or mode of transmission and virulence. Also\, virulence evolution may be a
 ffected by the host range of the pathogen. We have also explored the natur
 e of generalism and whether host adaptation occurs in generalist plant vir
 uses.\n        Genetic exchange by recombination or reassortment of genomi
 c segments is an important process in virus evolution\, resulting often in
  dramatic changes in virulence and host range\, and in the emergence of ne
 w viral diseases. Little is known about what factors affect the frequency 
 of the resulting new genotypes in virus populations. Experimental analyses
  of these factors will be presented\, showing evidence for constraints to 
 genetic exchange and supporting co-adaptation of gene complexes will also 
 be presented.\n\nhttp://www.upm.es/investigacion/grupos/Ficha28.html
LOCATION:Department of Plant Sciences\, Large Lecture Theatre
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