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/ Events

Human evolution – plagues, pathogens and selection

08 - 09 June 2011 08:30 - 17:00

 

Organised by Professor Danny Altmann, Dr Francois Balloux and Dr Rosemary Boyton

In this Satellite meeting we aim to bring together an international cohort of academics from highly diverse backgrounds so that anthropologists, historians, geneticists, immunologists, molecular microbiologists and experts on the evolution of language can together bring their knowledge to bear on plotting the timeline of human history and the forces that have shaped it. We will consider the co-evolution of man, our immune system and our major pathogens, taking into account recent evidence from DNA sequencing initiatives alongside the evidence from historical artifacts.

Programme available to download here.

Organisers

  • Dr Francois Balloux, Imperial College London, UK and Switzerland

  • Professor Danny Altmann, Imperial College London, UK

    Danny Altmann is Professor of Immunology in the Department of Medicine, Imperial College London and, as of 2011, Head of Pathogens, Immunity and Population Health at the Wellcome Trust. He is also Editor in Chief of Immunology.  As Head of the Human Disease Immunogenetics Group, his major research interest has been in the immunogenetics of autoimmune diseases and bacterial infections. This has in recent years included a major emphasis on T cell immunity to serious bacterial infections. Prior to joining Imperial College he was a senior scientist in the Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre. 

  • Dr Rosemary Boyton, Imperial College London, UK

    Dr Rosemary Boyton heads the Lung Immunology Group, Department of Medicine that is focused on the molecular immunology of lung disease.  Research interests include innate and adaptive immune mechanisms in the regulation of infectious and allergic lung inflammation.  She is a Consultant Physician in Respiratory Medicine at Royal Brompton Hospital with a specialist interest in Respiratory Infection.