The population genetics and evolution of Salivarian trypanosomes. (360G-Wellcome-080553_Z_06_A)

African trypanosomas are important pathogens of humans and domestic animals in sub-Saharan Africa. In order to fully understand and manage the diseases caused by these parasites, we must develop an understanding of their population dynamics. Understanding how these parasites transmit and exchange their genetic material will allow predictions of their ability to spread into other geographical locations, hosts, or to develop and spread traits, such as drug resistance, that are important for the epidemiology of the disease. The objective of this project is to compare and contrast the population genetics of the main pathogenic African trypanosomas, T. vivax, T. congolense and T. brucei, which exist in different ecological environments. The specific questions to be addressed are: 1. What is the nature and extent of genetic exchange in each of the species and does this differ in different populations? 2. Are the species sub-structured due to geography, host specificity or transmission cycles? 3. Has selection been acting upon the trypanosome populations due to the widespread use of drugs?