Dear colleagues,

Biology Thursday seminar continues on 9th October, 12:00 sharp on zoom with Dr. Lee Henry, Queen Mary University of London, on

"Symbiosis as an adaptive process: evolving new phenotypes through microbial mutualisms"

Cooperative interactions, or symbioses, between hosts and microbes have been central to the evolution of life on Earth. By supplying essential resources - such as nutrients and bioactive molecules - symbionts have enabled hosts to colonize otherwise inaccessible habitats, defend against natural enemies, and exploit new energy sources. Symbiosis has also been pivotal in the origin and persistence of complex life, most notably through the merger of once-independent organisms. I will discuss how and why symbioses evolve, the mechanisms that maintain them, and what happens as they become increasing intertwined.