Steve Paterson Homepage
Academic history
Lecturer and Senior Lecturer, University of
Liverpool (2003 - present)
Lecturer, University of Stirling
(2001-2003)
Post-doctoral work at Universities of
Aberdeen (1997), Edinburgh (1998-1999) and Bristol (1999-2001)
PhD Genetics,
University of Cambridge (1996)
BSc Hons Genetics (1st), University of Edinburgh (1993)
Research interests
My interests are the population genetics and ecology of host-parasite
interactions, with a focus on those involving parasitic nematodes. My
initial work in this field demonstrated that parasitic nematodes are
capable of providing the selective force to maintain genetic diversity
at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in a feral population of
Soay sheep on St. Kilda. Since then, I have moved to using rodent
systems to identify the consequences of genetic diversity in parasitic
nematode populations and the natural constraints on the fitness of
nematode infections. Current work in my lab includes the investigation
of genetic
trade-offs
in life-history traits in the parasitic nematode Strongyloides ratti
and the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema
feltiae, and the
interaction between parasite genetic diversity and MHC variation using
both empirical and theoretical approaches. Working with collaborators,
I have also started projects on the genetics of resistance in wild
populations of voles, sheep and red grouse.
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a paradigm of adaptive
evolution and an excellent model system for testing multiple aspects of
evolutionary theory. The remarkable feature of the MHC is the
astonishingly high levels of polymorphism found at the genes that code
for antigen presentation to the immune system. What is the function of
this polymorphism? How is polymorphism maintained? What are the
consequences for species with low MHC diversity? Studies on the MHC
cover fields ranging from molecular evolution to behavioural ecology,
and can yield insight into fundamental evolutionary theories in
host-parasite co-evolution, sexual selection and conservation biology.
Parasitic nematodes
Up to one third of the human population is infected by parasitic
nematodes, predominantly in the developing world, with the greatest
burden of disease being borne by by children. Morbidity effects include
weight loss, failure to grow, and poor attention and learning. Even in
the western world, losses to livestock production due to parasitic
nematodes can be considerable and continued anthelmintic treatment is
essential for the competiveness of the livestock industry. There is,
however, an urgent need to develop new drugs, vaccines or other control
measures against nematode infection and disease following the emergence
of drug resistance in livestock populations, consumer concerns over
chemical residues in the food chain, and environmental concerns on the
impact of anthelmintics on insect fauna. More widely, every marine and
terrestrial vertebrate has the potential to be infected with parasitic
nematodes, and these infections therefore represent an important
evolutionary and ecological force in the natural environment.
Modules in parasitology and the evolution of infectious disease. These
are available to Liverpool students on VITAL (http://vital.liv.ac.uk).
Rm 202 Biosciences Building
School of Biological Sciences
University of Liverpool
Liverpool, L69 7ZB
Tel. (+44) 151 795 4521, Fax. (+44) 151 795 4408
S.Paterson@liv.ac.uk