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Evolutionary adaptation and constraint in the decoupling of immune responses across life s — NSF Award to Vanderbilt University (T

Whether an organism is a plant, insect, or human, its immune system must contend with exposure to parasites many times in its life. Immune responses cost energy, cause damage to self, and can interfere with development. Thus, young organisms may benefit, in terms of health and fitness, from a different level of immunit

Award titleEvolutionary adaptation and constraint in the decoupling of immune responses across life s
Award ID2508355
AwardeeVanderbilt University
CityNASHVILLE
StateTN
Amount obligated$997,860
Principal investigatorAnn Tate
ProgramEvolutionary Processes
Start date08/15/2025
AbstractWhether an organism is a plant, insect, or human, its immune system must contend with exposure to parasites many times in its life. Immune responses cost energy, cause damage to self, and can interfere with development. Thus, young organisms may benefit, in terms of health and fitness, from a different level of immunity than older organisms. Metamorphic animals like insects have an advantage over humans and other continuously developing animals because they can remodel their bodies – and immune
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