New paper out on conflict reduction in multicellular organisms
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Research on Cooperation, Sex, Disease and Evolutionary Innovations
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Here’s a mini-doc on the opportunity of a lifetime…
New Scientist piece on insect-microbes symbioses
P1 Radio report on insect-microbes symbioses
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.
Read here
Ever wondered why offspring feed on their parents poo (in ostriches)? We did and here is what we found out.
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.
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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.
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.
Very please to have Jana join our group who will do a postdoc on evolvability of green algae
Congratulations Mads and the rest of team. A wonderful and really interesting experience putting this all together.
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Great work Emily on putting this piece together that discusses how immunity may hold some of the secrets to long-life.
Read here
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!
It’s great to have a new addition to the group, Qinyang Li, who starts a PhD on the evolution of multicellularity
We have a fully funded PhD position available to study multicellularity using a range of experimental, comparative and genomic techniques. Apply here
Congratulations to Mads for getting a project grant from the Carl Tryggers Foundations to study thermal tolerance and social complexity in ostriches
Welldone Philip!
http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/lookup/doi/10.1098/rspb.2018.1164
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.
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
https://beergrouputas.wordpress.com/2018/02/08/two-phd-scholarships-available-on-the-evolutionary-origins-of-family-living/
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2018/02/12/1722395115.short
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
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
https://www.vr.se/forskningsfinansiering/bidragsbeslut/naturvetenskapochteknikvetenskap.4.557786f115f1aee2670ee157.html
New paper out on the evolution of host dependence on bacterial symbionts
https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms15973
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bies.201600136/epdf
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:
It is desirable that the applicant has:
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/
New paper out in PRSB
http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/282/1816/20151663
Well done to Elin, Julian and Philip for giving talks at EMPSEB and being awarded poster and peotry prizes!