We are currently looking for a motivated student (f/m/d) for a M.Sc. project at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena (Germany). The student will explore the function of symbiotic yeasts within fungus-farming bark and ambrosia beetles.
Both bark and ambrosia beetles, which typically colonize rather nutrient-poor woody substrates (like phloem or xylem of weakened trees), are associated with a broad range of microbes such as filamentous fungi, bacteria, and yeasts. Researchers have just begun to study the role of these microbes and how they support the survival of their beetle hosts. Some of the associated filamentous fungi are of high nutritional value for the beetles and thus ensure the successful development of beetles in such a challenging environment. In many cases, the beetles themselves are unable to survive without their fungal partners.
Although a few functions of the associated filamentous fungi are known to date, much less is known about the role of yeasts in such beetle-microbe symbioses. Some yeasts are thought to have the capability of detoxifying tree defense compounds, while others might have a role as nutritional symbionts.
In this project, the student will gain novel insights into this understudied topic focussing on the native ambrosia beetle Xyleborinus saxesenii as well as the common European bark beetle Ips typographus.
In this project, the student will focus on:
- Fieldwork
- Isolation and identification of yeast from natural and artificial breeding systems and beetles
- Behavioural assays with beetles and yeasts
- Bioassays with antagonistic/competitive fungi
- Detoxification assays with tree-defensive compounds
- Volatile measurements of yeasts
- Nutritional analyses of isolated yeasts
This study will be a collaboration between the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology and the Chair of Functional Ecology, Lund University (Sweden).
If you are generally interested in microbiology, mycology and ecology, and want to find out more about this project (e.g. details, start date), don´t hesitate to get in contact with us.
Dr. Maximilian Lehenberger
mlehenberger@ice.mpg.de
Prof. Dr. Jonathan Gershenzon
gershenzon@ice.mpg.de
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