A microbial perspective of animal development and behaviour



Speaker- Prof. Thomas C.G. Bosch
Affiliation- Professor, Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
Abstract: Animals have evolved within the framework of the microbes. The fact that most if not all animals have been colonized by microbes since the beginning of evolutionary history must lead to a radical rethinking of what an organism is, how it functions, and how it evolved. Using the ancestral metazoan Hydra as model, I will review growing evidence that the nervous system, with its rich repertoire of neuropeptides, is involved in controlling resident beneficial microbes. Our recent observations also indicate that microbes affect the animal´s behaviour by directly interfering with neuronal receptors. I propose that to formulate a comprehensive understanding of development, stability and maintenance of biological systems, we must recognize that symbiotic microbes provide important signals and contribute in significant ways to phenotype production.

Date- 13 December, 2024 (Friday)
Venue- D-128
Time- 4.00-5.00 PM

All are cordially invited. 

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