Evolution of treponemal syndromes.  DNA from modern treponemal strains (three human sub-species, rabbit and simian species) is assayed for variation in genes in the tpr (Treponema pallidum repeat) gene family.  These data have relevance for evolution of the gene family as well as evolution of the treponemes. Graduate student Becca Gray has conducted phylogenetic analyses on sequence dataset from our U Washington collaborators.  We find evidence for multiple gene conversion events within the studied tpr genes. Our results are generally consistent with a relatively coincident evolution of the human sub-species Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (venereal syphilis), subsp. pertenue (yaws), and subsp. endemicum (endemic syphilis or bejel). Collaboration with Sheila Lukehart (U of Washington) and Arturo Centurion-Lara (U of Washington). See #7 (below) for ancient DNA project on treponemal evolution.