Origin and evolution of animal-bacterial symbiosis (2023-2026)

This project seeks to understand how interactions between animals and their microbial symbionts ¿ the holobiont ¿ evolved, and how they are influenced by the environment over an animal's life. Using a homegrown Australian model, a sea sponge from the Great Barrier Reef, and advanced multi-omic approaches (genomics plus cell biology), this project aims to uncover the mechanisms underlying the establishment and maintenance of the holobiont through development, and under changing ecological and environmental conditions. Because of the evolutionary position of sponges, outcomes of this project expect to reveal cardinal rules governing animalmicrobe interactions that are fundamental to the health and conservation of most animals and ecosystems.