Ellen E. Hostert
Associate Professor of Biology
B.A., Cornell College
M.A., University of Northern Iowa
Ph.D., University of California at Santa Cruz
Title: Associate Professor of Biology
Phone: 207-255-1301
Email: ehostert@maine.edu
Office: Science 123
Office Hours for Fall 2009: Monday and Friday 11 to noon, Tuesday 10 to noon, or by appointment.
Courses Taught:
- Bio 100, Explorations in Biology
- Bio 111, General Zoology
- Bio 265, Genetics
- Bio 340, Evolution
- Bio 355, Conservation Biology
- Bio 410, Senior Seminar in Biology
Click here for descriptions of all Biology courses.
Research Interest: Genetic Variation in Natural Populations
Current Project: Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Alleles: Genetic and Functional Variation in the Antigen Binding Site of Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar
Specific Aims:
1) To assess genetic variation in populations of anadromous and landlocked Atlantic salmon.
2) To assess the type of selection acting on the class IIB locus in Atlantic salmon, and the functional consequences of the allelic diversity observed.
3) To carry out comparisons with other salmonid, teleost, and vertebrate species.
Project Summary
This study will investigate the effect of exposure to different suites of parasites on the functional variation at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class IIB locus.
The MHC controls the adaptive immune response in vertebrates. MHC molecules recognize and bind different pathogens depending on the structural match between the MHC and the pathogen. It is generally accepted that individuals with two different forms of the MHC protein will be able to respond to a broader set of pathogens than individuals with only one form. By extension, it is thought that infectious disease outbreaks will be less devastating in populations with greater MHC diversity than in MHC depauperate populations.
The class II MHC genes are associated with resistance to parasites. Knowledge of the allelic diversity within and between populations will be instrumental in the design of population-specific vaccines for all vertebrates, including humans. Most parasitic infections are treated with antiparasitic drugs; however, many species of parasites are evolving resistance to those drugs. The development of vaccines is an alternative to the use of antiparasitic drugs that avoids the evolution of drug resistance. But vaccines can produce uneven protection in vaccinated populations. The variation in vaccine effectiveness is, at least partially, based on the ability of the MHC to bind to the pathogen.
Previous Student Project: Molecular Analysis of Coyotes in Maine: Evidence for Hybridization with Wolves?
Favorite organism: Drosophila melanogaster, the common fruit fly.