Title: Synthetic and systems biology of endo and exosymbionts for the intervention on eukaryotic hosts.

Reseach Group: Evolutionary Genetics

Mutualistic symbiotic bacteria, whether intracellular (endosymbionts) or complex exosymbiont communities stored in organs (such as the gut) of their eukaryotic hosts, may be exploited to affect their hosts by modification or artificial development of new capabilities. Obtaining robust experimental models is of paramount importance to achieve a deeper understanding of these systems prior to manipulating them. In this project, we will work with the endosymbiont Blattabacterium and the exosymbionts found in the digestive system of the cockroach Blattella germanica, as well as some selected species of Lepidoptera. Our goal is to answer questions such as how do the cockroach and its symbionts “dialogue” to metabolize diets progressively richer in proteins and determine which are the critical taxa, functions and metabolic pathways that would allow a subsequent intervention on the host. Additionally, we propose the study and modelling of a culturable endosymbiont, Bartonella sp., for ultimately achieving the goal of using it as an endosymbiotic chassis cell with an adequate reduced genome. Both sides of the project will be performed using omic (genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic) approaches, computational and systems biology (modelling metabolic networks).

Total amount: 187.550 €.
Ref. BFU2015-64322-C2-1-R

Amparo Latorre, Rosario Gil

FEDER funds, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO)