Sep 16, 2020
In one line of research,
Professor Levi Morran observes the coevolution of
C. elegans
strains and microbial pathogens
through population level biology to ask how and why sex evolved and
why it is maintained. This is part of his overall research into how
genetics and evolution affect the interaction of hosts and
microbes.
In this podcast, he explores
Levi Morran is an assistant
professor of biology at Emory University and is interested in
factors affecting adaptive evolution. His lab utilizes experimental
evolution, which means they perform evolution experiments in real
time with genetics biology and
evolution biology. They mostly use particular strains of
C. elegans,
which go through several
generations quite rapidly.
He explains this with a concrete example: when his lab explored the
antagonistic interactions between a host and microbes and the
influence of the evolution of sex, they set up populations
of C.
elegans that would
produce sexually and through self-fertilization. They found that
the self-fertilizing populations did not adapt to the pathogens and
mostly died out. He explains why he thinks this happened and
how they may explore this further.
He also explores general
benefits of experimental evolution and the advantages it offers
researchers such as the ability to control and spin factors that
can address very specific questions in certain conditions. He adds
that conditions in nature are quite different, yet these
experimental studies can point
evolution theory in helpful directions.
In addition, he explains the level of considerations an
experimental evolution study must undertake, from seeking and using
specific strains of nematodes fitting what the experimental
questions ask, to unlocking characteristics in those nematodes to
produce populations that will undergo, for example, sexual
reproduction.
He also addresses issues of microbiomes in nature versus the lab
and questions regarding epigenetics.
For more, see his lab's
website: wormlab.wordpress.com.
Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK