General
Congratulations to Mart
New paper on cooperation in fluctuating environments
Read more here
New paper on adaptations to temperature change
Read more here
New paper out on conflict reduction in multicellular organisms
Read here
New paper out on ostrich sex chromosomes
Read here
New paper out on the evolution of live birth in reptiles
Read here
Report in nature on our expedition to Palmyra atoll
Read here
Expedition to one of the remotest places on earth
Here’s a mini-doc on the opportunity of a lifetime…
New Scientist report and P1 radio interview about our work
New Scientist piece on insect-microbes symbioses
P1 Radio report on insect-microbes symbioses
New paper out insect-microbe symbiosis
Symbiotic partnerships with bacteria have provided insects with key nutrients missing in their diets. This has enabled them to exploit novel food resources, which in some cases has fuelled exceptional species diversification such as in weevils, whereas in others it has suppressed diversification.
Photo by Gleb Lucky
Read here
New paper out on coprophagy and the microbiome
Ever wondered why offspring feed on their parents poo (in ostriches)? We did and here is what we found out.
New paper out on the evolution of multicellularity
A few years ago we started a new project to try and understand why some lineages evolve to be multicellular while others are unicellular using green algae. This is the first paper from the project that lays some important foundations for future work. This was a team effort, but in particular, Maria was instrumental in bringing this to fruition.
Read here
Symposium 30th May “What can Evolutionary Biology contribute to real-world problems?”
Qinyang successfully defends his midterm report
Congratulations to Julian on getting a postdoc position in Oulu!
New MSc program in Evolutionary Biology
We are pleased to announce that, together with Tobias Uller, we have launched a new MSc program in Evolutionary Biology at Lund University. If you’re interested please see https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/lubas/i-uoh-lu-NABIO-EVBI for more details.
Congratulations to Mads on getting an ERC grant
Mads was awarded an ERC starting grant to study the evolution of thermal tolerance in ostriches. We wish him the best of luck with starting his own group at Aarhus University.
Welcome Jana!
Very please to have Jana join our group who will do a postdoc on evolvability of green algae
New paper out on why both heat and cold are a challenge for the mighty ostrich
Congratulations Mads and the rest of team. A wonderful and really interesting experience putting this all together.
Read here
New paper out on long-life and immunity
Great work Emily on putting this piece together that discusses how immunity may hold some of the secrets to long-life.
Read here
Qinyang gives flash talk at BLAM
Congratulations to Philip to getting a new position in Oulu
Welcome Homa!
New paper out on why some animals aren’t adverse to mating with their relatives!
New paper on disease spread in groups of relatives
Many thanks to the Crafoord foundation
Congratulations to Qinyang on winning talk prize!
Congratulations to Julian on becoming Dr!
New paper out on how the secret to long-life is having hard working helpers
Read the paper here, which was reported in the Times:
Well done Philip, and very nice to be part of this Phil Trans issue on aging and sociality!
New paper out on how ostriches feel the heat (and the cold)
Welcome to Qinyang!
It’s great to have a new addition to the group, Qinyang Li, who starts a PhD on the evolution of multicellularity
New paper out about the establishment of microbiomes and death
New paper on the importance of family in cooperative breeders
New paper out on how the climate shapes immune systems
New PhD position available to study multicellularity
We have a fully funded PhD position available to study multicellularity using a range of experimental, comparative and genomic techniques. Apply here
We’re very grateful for a grant from Carl Tryggers
Congratulations to Mads for getting a project grant from the Carl Tryggers Foundations to study thermal tolerance and social complexity in ostriches
KAW grant – thank you!
New paper out on gut microbiome shifts in ostriches during development
New paper out on why helping evolves in family groups
Welldone Philip!
http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/lookup/doi/10.1098/rspb.2018.1164
Welldone to Markus, Philip, Maria and Julian for presenting at ESEB 2018
Markus presented work on multicellularity in green algae.
Philip presented work on group formation and division of labour in cooperative breeding birds.
Maria presented work on transitions to multi- and uni-cellularity across the eukaryote tree.
Julian presented work on thermal tolerance and cooperative incubation behaviour in ostriches.
New paper in Nature Ecology & Evolution on immunity, colonisation and migration
Welldone Emily!
https://natureecoevocommunity.nature.com/channels/521-behind-the-paper/posts/32792-the-great-escape-from-disease-a-case-of-migration-and-colonization-in-birds
Congrats to Elin on getting her PhD!
Great PhD opportunities in Tasmania
https://beergrouputas.wordpress.com/2018/02/08/two-phd-scholarships-available-on-the-evolutionary-origins-of-family-living/
New paper out in PNAS
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2018/02/12/1722395115.short
Welcome to Mads!
We are very pleased that Mads has joined us on a Carlsberg fellowship to work on sex, sweat and cooperation in ostriches: https://charliecornwallis.github.io/Group?page_id=542
Two new papers out on microbiome techniques
Direct PCR methods work as well as traditional DNA extraction techniques for characterising microbiomes in ostrich guts
http://msystems.asm.org/content/2/6/e00132-17
Are cloacal swabs a good way to measure gut microbiota?
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1755-0998.12744/abstract
Another successful field season in South Africa
We are very grateful to VR for another 4 years funding!
https://www.vr.se/forskningsfinansiering/bidragsbeslut/naturvetenskapochteknikvetenskap.4.557786f115f1aee2670ee157.html
When to commit to your bacterial partners?
New paper out on the evolution of host dependence on bacterial symbionts
https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15973
Nasty or nice – new paper on virulence of human pathogens
New paper out on cooperation and colonisation of harsh environments
Welcome to Maria!
New paper out on cichlid parasites
Welcome to Markus!
New paper out on why organisms evolve to be sterile
New paper out on evolution of sterility
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bies.201600136/epdf
Permanent research technician position available
We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated research technician who is interested in working in different projects addressing research questions at the interface of ecology, evolution and molecular biology. Our research involves collecting data from wild, captive and laboratory organisms using a range of approaches including experimental evolution, molecular genetics and bioinformatics, field experiments, and literature searching. Our primary study organisms are algae, damselflies, moths, lizards and birds. Tasks involve data collection in the field and the laboratory, support for sample curation/organisation, data organisation and processing including statistical analyses, and coordination and management of the research group’s daily routines, including organism husbandry and administrative support. It is expected that the person assigned to this post will pursue opportunities to acquire further skills through national and international courses. The position is aimed at a junior level and it is therefore expected that any postdoctoral employment in research is limited to two years.
Description of the qualifications that are required of the candidate
It is essential that the applicant has:
- An MSc or PhD in Ecology, Evolution or Molecular Biology or a closely related field with strong emphasis on either or both of these subjects.
- Experience of working with microorganisms, particularly experimentation and maintaining laboratory populations
- Experience of molecular genetics including DNA extractions, PCR, next-generation sequencing
It is desirable that the applicant has:
- Experience of experimental evolution
- Experience of working with algae particularly identification and culturing of clones
- Experience of organizing databases and analyzing sequence data
- Experience with statistical analysis of data from field studies or experimental settings as well as experimental design
- A good command of the software R for programming, statistical analyses or graphical visualization of data
- Motivation to work in a team and desire to take responsibility
- Fluent in English. A good understanding of Swedish is advantageous but not required
- A full drivers license.
Basis of Assessment
Applicants are evaluated based on how well they fulfill the requirements detailed above. Such evidence may include documentation of completed coursework, scientific publications, technical and analytical know-how, evidence of organizational skills and enthusiasm for ecology and evolution. Where possible, statements to these effects should be accompanied by objective or independent assessment of the candidate’s track record and potential. These may include links to access published or unpublished (e.g., thesis) research material or letters of support from supervisors or previous employers.
Salary will be set according to the general regulations for research technicians at Lund University in relation to the number of years research experience and achievements. Applicants should send a cover letter explaining their background and a CV that includes publications and the contact information for two referees.
Additional Information
For more information and informal discussion about the position candidates can contact Charlie Cornwallis, Erik Svensson, or Tobias Uller. For more information see:
http://www.biology.lu.se/research/research-groups/
Why are cooperative birds long lived and promiscuous?
New paper out in PRSB
http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/282/1816/20151663
European Meeting for PhD Students in Evolutionary Biology
Well done to Elin, Julian and Philip for giving talks at EMPSEB and being awarded poster and peotry prizes!