Exploring Endosymbiosis: Professor 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.
Doctoral student Gabriel Giger developed a method to inject bacteria into the fungus Rhizopus microsporus. He used E. coli and Mycetohabitans bacteria. The E. coli caused the fungus to mount an immune response, encapsulating the bacteria and preventing their transmission to the next generation. In contrast, Mycetohabitans bacteria were passed on through fungal spores.
Giger found that 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. This study highlights the fragility of early endosymbiotic systems and the potential advantages of such partnerships.
Professor Vorholt emphasizes that for endosymbiosis to stabilize, there must be mutual benefits. This research shows how endosymbiosis can lead to successful evolutionary outcomes.
Doubts Revealed
Endosymbiosis -: Endosymbiosis is a special relationship where one living thing, like a tiny organism, lives inside another living thing. It’s like having a guest who stays inside your house and both of you help each other.
Professor Julia Vorholt -: Professor 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 other organisms.
ETH Zurich -: ETH Zurich is a big and important university in Switzerland where many smart people study and do research. It’s like a school for grown-ups who want to learn about science and technology.
Rhizopus microsporus -: Rhizopus microsporus is a type of fungus, which is a group of living things that includes mushrooms and molds. This fungus was used in the study to see how it interacts with bacteria.
E. coli -: E. coli is a type of bacteria that is often found in the intestines of humans and animals. It can be good or bad, depending on the type, and is used in many scientific studies.
Mycetohabitans bacteria -: Mycetohabitans bacteria are a type of bacteria that can live inside other organisms, like fungi. In this study, they were found to be passed on to the next generation of fungi.
Immune response -: An immune response is how our body or an organism’s body fights off things that might make it sick, like bacteria or viruses. It’s like having soldiers that protect you from invaders.
Fungi’s fitness -: Fungi’s fitness refers to how well the fungus can survive and grow. If something reduces its fitness, it means the fungus might not grow as well or be as healthy.