Jigyasa Arora, Unravelling 150 Million Years of Evolution Between Termites and Their Gut Microbiome Using Metagenomics

Speaker: Jigyasa Arora, Evolutionary Genomics (Bourguignon) Unit

Title: Unravelling 150 Million Years of Evolution Between Termites and Their Gut Microbiome Using Metagenomics

Abstract: Termites are amongst the most abundant terrestrial animals on earth largely due to their ability to digest lignocellulose. Termites can digest lignocellulose at different stages of decomposition such as rotten wood and soil. The lignocellulose digestion is dependent on the complex interactions among gut microbial functions. Most termite gut microbes are found nowhere else than in termite guts, and they are acquired by vertical transfer from parent to offspring, and horizontal transfer between colonies. In this talk, I will discuss how we sequenced 141 termite species belonging to different lineages and diets of termites to examine if the gut microbial functions are influenced by termite evolutionary history or their diet.

After the talk, join for discussion with free soft drinks and pizza!