Evolutionary genomics of host-pathogen interactions
Our goal is to understand how the evolutionary arms race between pathogens and their hosts has shaped the immune system and influenced human susceptibility to infectious diseases.
We use comparative genomics, host–virus protein–protein interaction analysis and in vitro immunological stimulation studies to answer:
- How do humans differ from other species (and from one another) in their response to infection?
- How has the immune response evolved to balance a strong reaction against pathogens with constraints to avoid self-inflicted damage?
- How have pathogens evolved to interact with host proteins to successfully take control of the cell?
