Symposium number: 30

Title: MHC IN BIRDS: GENOMIC ORGANIZATION AND EVOLUTIONARY IMPORTANCE

Principal organizer: Ralph Tiedemann
Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, Haus 26, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany
email: tiedeman@rz.uni-potsdam.de

Second organizer: Helena Westerdahl
Department of Animal Ecology, Lund University, Ecology Building, SE-22362 Lund, Sweden

First keynote speaker: Ralph Tiedemann
Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, Haus 26, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany
Title of first keynote paper: MHC evolution in ducks and allies

Second keynote speaker: Helena Westerdahl
Department of Animal Ecology, Lund University, Ecology Building, SE-22362 Lund, Sweden
Title of second keynote paper: Passerine MHC genetic variation and disease resistance in the wild

Contributed talks

Symposium description: The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is of primary importance in specific immune defence in all vertebrates. MHC genes are the most variable coding genes known, and they are among the most famous examples of adaptive genetic variation maintained by balancing selection. Not surprisingly, the MHC has received increasing attention in evolutionary biology and conservation genetics. Specifically, MHC variability and certain MHC alleles are related to individual fitness. In the maintenance of such adaptive genetic variation are to be found keys for understanding, inter alia, the genetics of mating systems and dispersal, and the impact of inbreeding. Apart from its evolutionary importance, MHC variability is of considerable relevance in conservation.
While studies on MHC genetic variation are increasing in mammals, they are still scarce in birds. By covering the molecular organization of MHC genes in birds, MHC evolution, and the utility of the MHC as a molecular marker in behavioural ecology and conservation genetics, it is the aim of this symposium to further promote research on the avian MHC.

back to list of symposia

Home | Scientific Programme | Officers | Venue | Accommodation | Tours | Past Congresses