Molecular Evolution & Systematics Laboratory

Head ; Dr. Grace McCormack

Martin Ryan Institute, NUI, Galway

Research

Sponges; Reconciling molecules and morphology in sponge systematics. Current reseach focuses on the Order Haplosclerida, sponges of high priority in the search and development of marine natural products. Employing three loci (mt cox1, 18S rDNA and 28SrDNA) we hope to build a robust phylogeny of up to 140 taxa spread across the order. Gene trees will be viewed in light of morphological and chemical evidence.

This project is funded by IRCSET as part of the Embark Initiative and is currently in it's second year. Molecular trees, constructed to date, do not agree with the current classification as set out in Systema Porifera but are in agreement with each other. More taxa are being included which may affect relationships; and further gene regions are being assessed to provide further support.

Molecular evolution of HIV-1; Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype C is the most prevalent subtype of HIV-1 world-wide. Using population samples collected in two areas of a rural central east African community (Karonga District, Malawi; in collaboration with the Karonga Prevention Study)) we have tracked the spread of HIV-1 from the first introductions of subtype A D and C in the early 1980s to the state of subtype C predominance in the late 1980s. Using molecular data from the env and gag genes we have timed the origin of subtype C to the late 1960s and have found an unclassifiable strain of HIV-1 that was present in the 1980s but has not so far been detected in samples collected in the1990s or 2000s. Further work includes investigating selection pressures acting on different HIV subtypes, and investigating survival in persons with subtype C virus who do not have access to antiretroviral drugs.

Laboratory Personnel

Research Assistant

Dr Jean Raleigh

Postgraduate students

Niamh Redmond

Alison McCarthy

Peter Barry

Chip Barrett

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