title: Experimental evolution of parasites.
abstract: Serial passage experiments are a form of experimental evolution that is frequently used in applied sciences; for example, in vaccine development. During these experiments, molecular and phenotypic evolution can be monitored in real time, providing insights into the causes and consequences of parasite evolution. Within-host competition generally drives an increase in a parasite's virulence in a new host, whereas the parasite becomes avirulent to its former host, indicating a trade-off between parasite fitnesses on different hosts. Understanding why parasite virulence seldom escalates similarly in natural populations could help us to manage virulence and deal with emerging diseases.
authors.affiliation: Universität Basel, Zoologisches Institut, Rheinsprung 9, 4051 Basel, Switzerland. ebert@ubaclu.unibas.ch
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ebert
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D009154:Mutation; D010271:Parasites / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012692:Serial Passage; D014774:Virulence; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*