HOST-PARASITE CO-EVOLUTION

The fascinating study between hosts and parasite co-evolution follows the non-stop process that shapes the evolution of both species. This understanding is particularly important in agroecosystems where nematodes cause yield losses of well over $100 Billion annually. Early detection of virulence is key to ensuring crop yield and thereby global food security, a journey that starts with genetic modification of nematode populations. However, when virulence becomes visible as slowed plant growth it is already too late. Therefore, to win this battle, genetic tools are applied to detect early virulence signals years before they become visible.