Title
The SERA gene family in Plasmodium: Multiple criteria for assessing and improving inferred gene trees
Speaker
Terry Speed, Department of Statistics, Berkeley, Division of Genetics and Bioinformatics, The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Australia
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum is the parasite responsible for the most acute form of malaria in humans. Recently, the serine repeat antigen (SERA) in P. Falciparum has attracted attention as a potential vaccine target. In this talk, we will examine attempts to infer the evolutionary history of a family of SERA genes in seven different species of Plasmodium, and two particular problems that the gene family presents for inference: significant variation in GC content between species, and the need to reconcile any inferred gene tree with one of two conflicting Plasmodium species trees that have appeared in the literature.
Meet the speaker in Room 212 Cockins Hall at 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
