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Genomic and physiological consequences of a synergistic coevolution
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Ecological interactions are key for determining the Darwinian fitness of organisms. As a result, individuals frequently show adaptations that evolved in response to these interactions. Thus, to understand the significance of a certain interaction for the organisms involved, it is pivotal to understand the genomic and physiological consequences that result from the interaction. While this issue is well-studied in many antagonistic interactions, much less is known on synergistic interactions such as cooperative mutualisms.
We aim at identifying the genomic and physiological consequences resulting from a synergistic coevolution by focussing on bacterial genotypes that were isolated from natural populations or evolved in a selection experiment. Alternatively, the interaction between plasmids and their bacterial hosts are analysed as a tractable model to study host-symbiont interactions. For this, we use state-of-the-art sequencing technologies to analyse the transcriptomes and genomes of focal genotypes. Phenotypes are characterized by applying tools of analytical chemistry, by visualising cultures via live-cell fluorescence microscopy, or by subjecting cultures to dedicated assays. In combination with methods to manipulate the genomes of the focal organisms or to probe gene expression levels in live bacterial cultures, this toolbox allows us to fully understand the molecular details of an (adaptive) trait that evolved in response to an ecological interaction.
We aim at identifying the genomic and physiological consequences resulting from a synergistic coevolution by focussing on bacterial genotypes that were isolated from natural populations or evolved in a selection experiment. Alternatively, the interaction between plasmids and their bacterial hosts are analysed as a tractable model to study host-symbiont interactions. For this, we use state-of-the-art sequencing technologies to analyse the transcriptomes and genomes of focal genotypes. Phenotypes are characterized by applying tools of analytical chemistry, by visualising cultures via live-cell fluorescence microscopy, or by subjecting cultures to dedicated assays. In combination with methods to manipulate the genomes of the focal organisms or to probe gene expression levels in live bacterial cultures, this toolbox allows us to fully understand the molecular details of an (adaptive) trait that evolved in response to an ecological interaction.
Researchers:
Selected Publications:
D’Souza G, Shitut S, Preussger D, Yousif G, Waschina S, Kost C. (2018) Ecology and evolution of metabolic cross-feeding interactions in bacteria, Natural Product Reports,35, 455-488. doi:10.1039/C8NP00009C.
Dietel AK, Kaltenpoth M, Kost C. Convergent Evolution in Intracellular Elements: Plasmids as Model Endosymbionts. Trends in Microbiolgy. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2018.03.004.
Shitut S, Ahsendorf T, Pande S, Egbert M, Kost C. (in press). Metabolic coupling in bacteria. bioRxiv. doi:10.1101/114462.
D'Souza G, Kost C. (2016). Experimental evolution of metabolic dependency in bacteria. PLoS Genetics, 12(11): e1006364. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1006364.
Dietel AK, Kaltenpoth M, Kost C. Convergent Evolution in Intracellular Elements: Plasmids as Model Endosymbionts. Trends in Microbiolgy. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2018.03.004.
Shitut S, Ahsendorf T, Pande S, Egbert M, Kost C. (in press). Metabolic coupling in bacteria. bioRxiv. doi:10.1101/114462.
D'Souza G, Kost C. (2016). Experimental evolution of metabolic dependency in bacteria. PLoS Genetics, 12(11): e1006364. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1006364.
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