Exploring Endosymbiosis: Julia Vorholt’s Team at ETH Zurich Unveils New Insights
Endosymbiosis is a fascinating biological process where one organism lives inside another, benefiting both. Mitochondria in human cells are a result of ancient endosymbiosis. However, how this relationship begins is still a mystery. A team led by Professor Julia Vorholt at ETH Zurich studied this in the lab.
Research Methodology
Gabriel Giger, a doctoral student, developed a method to inject bacteria into the fungus Rhizopus microsporus. He used E. coli and Mycetohabitans bacteria, observing their interactions under a microscope.
Key Findings
After injecting E. coli, the fungus and bacteria grew, but the fungus eventually fought back, preventing bacteria from passing to the next generation. In contrast, Mycetohabitans bacteria were passed on through spores, marking a breakthrough.
Initially, endosymbiosis reduced the fungi’s fitness, but over generations, the fungi adapted, producing viable spores. The host and resident bacteria produced molecules aiding nutrient acquisition and defense.
Conclusion
The study highlights the fragility of early endosymbiotic systems. For such systems to stabilize, mutual benefits are essential. Endosymbiosis can lead to successful evolutionary outcomes, as shown by mitochondria.
Doubts Revealed
Endosymbiosis -: Endosymbiosis is when one living thing lives inside another living thing, and they help each other. It’s like having a tiny friend inside you that helps you do things better.
Julia Vorholt -: Julia Vorholt is a scientist who works at ETH Zurich, a famous university in Switzerland. She studies how tiny living things, like bacteria, interact with each other.
ETH Zurich -: ETH Zurich is a big and important university in Switzerland where many smart people study science and technology. It’s like a school for grown-ups who want to learn about how the world works.
Rhizopus microsporus -: Rhizopus microsporus is a type of fungus, which is a living thing like mushrooms. Scientists use it to study how tiny living things can live together.
E. coli -: E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in the stomachs of humans and animals. Sometimes it can make you sick, but scientists also study it to learn more about bacteria.
Mycetohabitans -: Mycetohabitans is a type of bacteria that can live inside fungi. Scientists study it to understand how different living things can help each other.
Fitness -: In science, ‘fitness’ means how well a living thing can survive and have babies. If something has good fitness, it means it can live well and make more of itself.