Every year influenza vaccines are based on attempts to predict the short-term evolution of the influenza virus. Hospitals try to predict the evolution of antibiotic resistance genes and to cycle the use of antibiotics in an effort to slow down the local evolution of those genes. Those efforts are usually unsuccessful. To reliably predict the evolution of pathogens we must understand evolution as a process, understand the constraints on that process, and frame that understanding in a way that permits practical application of what we have learned. In his talk next Monday Barry G. Hall will discuss three experimental studies designed to inform us about the evolution of new functions and to allow us to predict evolutionary outcomes. He is director of Bellingham Research Institute, which focuses on applying the understanding of molecular evolution to practical problems, particularly those related to infectious diseases. Further information on the upcoming Institute Colloquium can be found at bellinghamresearchinstitute
Posted on: Wed, 09 Oct 2013 14:33:29 +0000
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