Peter Kerr graduated in veterinary science from the University of Melbourne and worked in rural practice and agribusiness before undertaking graduate studies in molecular virology at the Australian National University (ANU). He joined CSIRO in 1990 and spent the next 15 years working on Myxoma virus and the European rabbit, including research into recombinant Myxoma viruses as potential fertility control agents for rabbits. More recently, he has been working with colleagues in the USA and at the ANU on the molecular basis of the evolution of Myxoma virus in Australia and Europe. He is currently Research Scientist at CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences and Adjunct Fellow at the ANU.
What happens when a virus jumps species? The unexpected spread of myxomatosis in the Australian rabbit population in the summer of 1950/51 initiated a continental-scale experiment in the evolution of an emerging infectious disease. The classic studies of Fenner and his colleagues demonstrated in real time how the virus and the rabbit coevolved. The initial virus had a case fatality rate around 99.8% but it was out competed by slightly attenuated mutants that had a higher probability of transmission. Intense selection pressure by the virus led to the emergence of resistance in the rabbit population. Virus attenuation and rabbit resistance reduced the effectiveness of biological control. The experiment was repeated with the release of Myxoma virus in Europe in 1952. Despite differences in climate, geography and vectors, the evolutionary outcomes were remarkably similar on the two continents and demonstrated the nexus between virulence and transmission in the evolution of host and pathogen.
Event Manager: Mitchell Piercey
Phone: (02) 6201 9462
Peter Kerr graduated in veterinary science from the University of Melbourne and worked in rural practice and agribusiness before undertaking graduate studies in molecular virology at the Australian National University (ANU). He joined CSIRO in 1990 and spent the next 15 years working on Myxoma virus and the European rabbit, including research into recombinant Myxoma viruses as potential fertility control agents for rabbits. More recently, he has been working with colleagues in the USA and at the ANU on the molecular basis of the evolution of Myxoma virus in Australia and Europe. He is currently Research Scientist at CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences and Adjunct Fellow at the ANU.
What happens when a virus jumps species? The unexpected spread of myxomatosis in the Australian rabbit population in the summer of 1950/51 initiated a continental-scale experiment in the evolution of an emerging infectious disease. The classic studies of Fenner and his colleagues demonstrated in real time how the virus and the rabbit coevolved. The initial virus had a case fatality rate around 99.8% but it was out competed by slightly attenuated mutants that had a higher probability of transmission. Intense selection pressure by the virus led to the emergence of resistance in the rabbit population. Virus attenuation and rabbit resistance reduced the effectiveness of biological control. The experiment was repeated with the release of Myxoma virus in Europe in 1952. Despite differences in climate, geography and vectors, the evolutionary outcomes were remarkably similar on the two continents and demonstrated the nexus between virulence and transmission in the evolution of host and pathogen.
Shine Dome,9 Gordon Street Australian Capital Territory false DD/MM/YYYYEvent Manager: Mitchell Piercey
Phone: (02) 6201 9462
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