TITLE:

A Tail of Phage and Tubeworms: How do bacteria mediate animal

development?

DATE:

Friday, May 6th, 2016

TIME:

3:30 PM

LOCATION:

GMCS 314

SPEAKER:

Dr. Nicholas Shikuma. Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB) Program

Area, Viral Information Institute. Department of Biology, San

Diego State University.

ABSTRACT:

Free-swimming larvae of many animals that inhabit the sea floor

metamorphose in response to bacteria. This bacteria-mediated

metamorphosis is essential for coral reef formation, and causes

the costly accumulation of encrusting organisms on submerged

surfaces such as the hulls of ships [i.e., biofouling]. However,

the molecular mechanisms that underpin animal metamorphosis in

response to bacterial triggers remain elusive. Identifying the

triggers for metamorphosis has implications for understanding how

benthic animals respond to bacterial cues during surface

colonization. Moreover, dissecting the molecular basis of

bacteria-mediated metamorphosis will help us broadly understand

how bacteria influence animal development.

HOST:

Dr. Jose Castillo

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