LAK
  • Professor, Anthropology Department
801-585-3075

Publications

  • Torosin, NS, TH Webster, H Argibay, H Ferreyra, M Uhart, I Agostini and LA Knapp (2020). Positively selected variants in functionally important regions of TLR7 in Alouatta guariba clamitans with yellow fever virus exposure in Northern Argentina. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. Vol. 173(1), 50-60. Published, 08/2020.
  • Torosin, NS, H Argibay, TH Webster, PS Cornel and LA Knapp (2020). Comparing the selective landscape of TLR7 and TLR8 across primates reveals unique sites under positive selection in Alouatta. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. Vol. 152: 106920. Published, 07/2020.
  • Briceno, C, D Gonzalez-Acuna, JE Jimenez, JE, ML Bornscheuer and LA Knapp (2020). Ear mites, Otodectes cynotis, on wild foxes (Pseudalopex spp.) . Journal of Wildlife Diseases. Vol. 56. Published, 01/01/2020.
  • LA Knapp and NS Torosin (2019). The Primate Immune System: A survey of the innate and acquired immune systems in A Companion to Anthropological Genetics (O'Rourke). (pp. 309-326). Wiley. Published, 06/30/2019.
  • LA Knapp (2018). Genomes in The International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. (pp. 1-8). Wiley. Published, 11/09/2018.
  • LA Knapp (2018). Heterozygosity in The International Encyclopedia of Biological Anthropology. (pp. 1-2). Wiley. Published, 11/09/2018.
  • Fox, M., Berzuini, C, Knapp, L.A., Glynn, L.M. Women's pregnancy life history and Alzheimer's Risk: Can immunoregulation explain the link? American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias® 33 (8), 516-526. Published, 07/30/2018.
  • LA Knapp (2018). Highlights in Public Anthropology: Physical Anthropology. Center for a Public Anthropology. Published, 02/09/2018.
  • LA Knapp (2018). Behavior: Mate Choice and Sexual Selection in Encyclopedia of Reproduction (Skinner). (pp. 62-66). Elsevier. Published, 01/01/2018.
  • Piel, A.k., Stewart, F.A., Pintea, L., Li, Y., Ramirez, M.A., Loy, D.E., Crystal, P.A., Learn, G.H., Knapp, L.A. Sharp, P.M., Hahn,B.H. The Malagarasi River Does Not Form an Absolute Barrier to Chimpanzee Movement in Western Tanzania. PLOS ONE 12 (8). Published, 08/01/2017.
  • Setchell, J.M., Richards, S.A., Abbott, K.M., Knapp, L.A. Mate-guarding by male mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) is associated with female MHC genotype. Behavioral Ecology 27(6): 1756-1766. Published, 07/2016.
  • Dunn, JC, LB Halenar, J Cristobal-Azkarate, D Reby, D Sykes, S Dengg, W Tecumseh Fitch and LA Knapp. Evolutionary Trade-Off between Vocal Tract and Testes Dimensions in Howler Monkeys. Current Biology, 25(21): 2839-2844. Published, 10/22/2015.
  • Setchell J.M., T. Smith and L.A. Knapp (2015) Androgens in a female primate: Relationships with reproductive status, age, dominance rank, fetal sex and secondary sexual color. Physiology and Behavior, 147(1):245-254. Published, 05/01/2015.
  • Badhan, A., C.A. Eichstaedt, N. Almond, L.A. Knapp and N.J. Rose Analysis of full-length mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences from Macaca fascicularis of different geographical origin reveals novel haplotypes. Journal of Medical Primatology. Published, 02/2015.
  • Sick C., A.J. Carter, H.H. Marshall, L.A. Knapp, T. Dabelsteen and G. Cowlishaw G. Evidence for varying social strategies across the day in chacma baboons. Biology Letters, 10 (7), 20140249. Published, 07/2014.
  • Setchell, J.M., S. Vaglio, K.M. Abbott, J. and L.A. Knapp (2014) Odour signals sex, rank and genotype in an Old World monkey. Conference Paper: Behaviour Meets Biochemistry: Animals Making Sense of Molecules Making Scents 2014, Volume: 5. Published, 02/01/2014.
  • Fox, M, Berzuini C, Knapp LA. Cumulative estrogen exposure, number of menstrual cycles, and Alzheimer's risk in a cohort of British women. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 38(12):2973-82. Published, 12/2013.
  • Dunn, J.C., A. Shedden-Gonzalez, J. Cristobal-Azkarate, L. CCortes-Ortiz, E. Rodriguez-Luna and L.A. Knapp Limited genetic diversity in the critically endangered howler monkey (Alouatta paliatta Mexicana) in the Selva Zoque, Mexico. Primates, 55 (2), 155-160. Published, 11/2013.
  • Setchell JM, Abbott KM, Gonzalez JP, Knapp LA. Testing for post-copulatory selection for major histocompatibility complex genotype in in a semi-free-ranging primate population. Am J Primatol. 75(10):1021-31. Published, 10/2013.
  • Knapp, LA. Molecular genetic tools for evaluating the consequences of habitat fragmentation. LK Marsh and C Chapman (eds.) Primates in Fragments II. New York:Springer, pp.389-398. Published, 09/2013.
  • Fox M, Berzuini C, Knapp LA. Maternal breastfeeding history and Alzheimer's disease risk. J Alzheimers Dis. 2013;37(4):809-21. Published, 08/2013.
  • Briceno, C, Knapp, LA, Silva, A, Paredes, J, Avendano, I, Vargas, A, Sotomayor, J, Vila, AR. Detecting endangered huemul deer population increase following removal of cattle and poaching in periglacial habitats of coastal Patagonia, Chile. Oryx, 47(02):273-279. Published, 04/2013.
  • Piel AK, Stewart FA, Pintea L, Li Y, Ramirez MA, Loy DE, Crystal PA, Learn GH, Knapp LA, Sharp PM, Hahn BH. The malagarasi river does not form an absolute barrier to chimpanzee movement in Western Tanzania. PLoS One. 2013;8(3):e58965. Published, 03/11/2013.
  • Fox M, Knapp LA, Andrews PW, Fincher CL. Hygiene and the world distribution of Alzheimer's disease: Epidemiological evidence for a relationship between microbial environment and age-adjusted disease burden. Evol Med Public Health. 2013 Jan;2013(1):173-86. Published, 01/2013.
  • Huchard E, Charpentier, MJE, Marshall, H, King, A, Knapp, LA, Cowlishaw, G. Paternal effects on access to resources in a promiscuous primate society. Behavioral Ecology, 7(1):229-236. Published, 11/2012.

Research Statement

I am a biological anthropologist who uses molecular genetics and endocrine data to study human and non-human primate biology and behavior.  My research career began with the development of novel methods for studying molecular genetic diversity and these have since achieved widespread adoption in studies of the effects of natural selection on the immunologically important major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, to examine the antiquity and evolution of particular MHC loci and to evaluate the relationship between habitat, MHC genes and disease. Most of my research has focused on the influence of demography and environment on genetic diversity and in turn how such genetic factors influence inter-individual differences in health, reproductive success and behavior in humans and other primates.  More recently, we have begun studying Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in my research group.  Like MHC genes, TLRs are conserved between humans and nonhuman primates.  They differ, however, in that TLRs are distributed throughout the genome (on both autosomes and sex chromosomes) and we are interested in how this might impact TLR expression.  I am also interested in other genetic polymorphisms in primates, particularly the dopamine receptors.  A small project in my lab is examining dopamine receptor polymorphism and behavior in captive rhesus macaques. 

Additionally, I study hormones, such as cortisol and testosterone and also progesterone, to better understand variation in parasite load, disease susceptibility and reproductive success in humans and non-human primates. I have published extensively on genetics, hormones, health and behavior in many top-ranked journals.  In July 2013, I moved my Primate Immunogenetics and Molecular Ecology laboratory from Cambridge (UK) to the Department of Anthropology at the University of Utah, where I mentor undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral researchers and serve as Department Chair.

Research Keywords

  • Genetics
  • Immunogenetics
  • Primatology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Hormones

Presentations

  • Torosin, N. (presenter), Corneli, P., Knapp, L.A. The evolution of TLR7 and TLR8 in yellow fever virus endemic areas. International Society for Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health meeting, Park City, UT. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 08/02/2019.
  • Knapp, LA Repeatability of female odor preferences in mate choice. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 168, 128-128. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/2019.
  • Torosin, N (presenter) and LA Knapp. The Evolution of TLR7 and TLR8 in Yellow Fever Virus Endemic Areas. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 168, 247-248. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/2019.
  • Knapp,L.A. One genome, two phenotypes: A multi-disciplinary perspective on sexual dimorphism. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 165, 142-143 (Poster). Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/01/2018.
  • Torosin, N.S. (presenter), Corneli, P.S., Knapp, L.A. The evolution of TLR7 and TLR8 in yellow fever virus endemic areas. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 165, 275-275 . Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 03/22/2018.
  • How selection shapes major histocompatibility complex polymorphism. American Association of Physical Anthropology meetings, New Orleans, LA . Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/21/2017.
  • N Torosin (presenter), K Fisher, J Round and LA Knapp. Studying yellow-fever virus susceptibility in humans using a howler monkey model. American Association of Physical Anthropology meeting, New Orleans, LA . Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/2017.
  • N Torosin, K Fisher, J Round and LA. Knapp A comparative study of human and howler monkey Toll-Like Receptor 7 under the selective pressure of yellow fever virus. International Society for Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health meeting, Durham, NC . Poster, Presented, 06/2016.
  • Plenary Speaker: The ABC’s of MHC: What are major histocompatibility complex genes and why are they relevant in the study of ecology, evolution and behavior? Northwest Evolution, Ecology and Human Behavior Symposium. Boise, Idaho. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 04/22/2016.
  • N Torosin (presenter), K Fischer, J Round, LA Knapp (2016) A comparative study of human and howler monkey Toll-Like Receptor 7 under the selective pressure of yellow fever virus. American Association of Physical Anthropologists. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/2016.
  • Invited Seminar: What are major histocompatibility complex genes and why are they relevant for primate health and disease resistance? Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Czech Republic. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 06/16/2015.
  • Setchell, J.M. (presenter), S. Vaglio, K.M. Abbott, J. and L.A. Knapp Odour signals sex, rank and genotype in an Old World monkey. Conference Paper: Behaviour Meets Biochemistry: Animals Making Sense of Molecules Making Scents 2014, Volume: 5. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 05/2014.
  • Invited Seminar: Human & Non-Human Primate Evolution: Studying genes, hormones and behavior. Department of Psychology, Developmental Psychology brown bag, University of Utah. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 04/11/2014.
  • Setchell, J.M. (presenter), M.J. Adams and L.A. Knapp Female mate choice in mandrills (M. sphinx). American Journal of Physical Anthropology, (S53):236. Conference Paper, Refereed, Presented, 04/2014.
  • Genetics and individual identity. Department of Anthropology, University College London, United Kingdom. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 11/2013.
  • What are major histocompatibility complex genes and why are they relevant to studies of primate behaviour? Italian Primatological Association Congress, Asti, Italy. Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 04/2013.
  • How selection shapes primate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphism. Department of Biology, University of Alabama, Birmingham . Invited Talk/Keynote, Presented, 02/2013.

Research Groups

  • Sally Matthews, Undergraduate Student. Primate Immunogenetics and Molecular Evolution (PrIME) Lab Group. 12/01/2018 - present.
  • Journey Bly, Undergraduate Student. Primate Immunogenetics and Molecular Evolution (PrIME) Lab Group. 10/01/2018 - 08/01/2019.
  • Alison Bagley, Undergraduate Student. Primate Immunogenetics and Molecular Evolution (PrIME) Lab Group. 10/01/2017 - 08/01/2019.

Research Equipment and Testing Expertise

  • I oversee a fully equipped molecular genetics lab with with standard molecular genetics equipment, including sterile PCR workstations, thermal cyclers, equipment for gel analyses, incubators, centrifuges, ultra-pure water filtration system and documentation systems. The laboratory also includes equipment for endocrine (ELISA-based) assays.

Geographical Regions of Interest

  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Gabon
  • Mexico
  • Namibia
  • Nigeria
  • Senegal
  • United Republic of Tanzania