Thrilled to share our latest on a novel defensive mutualism between tortoise beetles and the ascomycete, Fusarium oxysporum. Fusarium confers protection for the beetle, and in exchange, the beetles vector the symbiont to their host plant. Led by Aileen Berasategui and Noa Breitenbach, and out today in Current Biology!
Congress of the International Society of Symbiosis, Lyon 2022
A wonderful iteration of the ISS congress in Lyon. Ines, Marleny, and Aileen all gave excellent talks on their latest insect-microbe work, and Miguel Ángel netted the Best Poster Award based on his research with Nicole Dubilier and Niko Leisch. Congratulations to you all!
New publication: Beetle regulation of symbiont transmission
Faithful transmission of beneficial symbionts is critical for the persistence of mutualisms. But how do mothers balance investment against the risk of symbiont loss? We are super proud to see the group’s latest published today in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, led by Dr. Inès Pons. Congratulations, Inès!
National Geographic feature on host-microbe symbioses
How do microbes influence animal behaviour and physiology? Pleased to see our work, together with the labs of Ruth Ley and Thomas Bosch, highlighted in the latest print edition of National Geographic!