This study uses algae and bacteria to explore mutualistic co-evolution. Through controlled experiments, it examines how genetics and environment drive evolutionary changes in mutualism.
- Model System: Uses algae-bacteria pairing to study mutualism.
- Controlled Testing: Analyzes genetic and environmental impacts on evolution.
- Long-Term Insights: Aims to understand forces shaping mutualism over time.
Description
The algal-bacterial model seems to be a good system for understanding the co-evolution of mutualism by experimentally co-evolving both partners. To understand this and the critical drivers of mutualistic co-evolution, GEMS trainee Jason Zheng will test a novel, high-throughput study system using green-algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and N-fixing bacteria, which could provide insights into genotype-by-environment and genotype-genotype interaction effects on co-evolution by highly controlled environments and multiple-generation evolutionary tests. These will inform us what evolutionary forces are important in ongoing mutualism co-evolution and what generates phylogenetic diversity in mutualisms over long timescales.
