Evolution of new symbioses in single-celled eukaryotes
Focused on the biology of symbiosis in microbial eukaryotes from diverse parts of the eukaryotic tree of life
Project Lead/s
John Archibald, Dalhousie University
Project Summary
This hub is focused on the biology of symbiosis in microbial eukaryotes from diverse parts of the eukaryotic tree of life. Organisms targeted for genome sequencing include heterotrophic and phototrophic species with both prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic endosymbionts.
The short-term goal is to use these data to better understand the impacts of symbiosis on the molecular biology and metabolism of the partner organisms during the early stages of their symbiotic interactions. This includes searching for evidence of metabolic complementarity and the movement of genes from endosymbiont to host. In the long run this information will help us better understand how endosymbionts become organelles, and how symbiosis can facilitate the adaptation of organisms to new environments.