Speaker
Description
Flavobacteriales endosymbionts are well described as obligate endosymbionts of cockroaches (Blattabacterium sp.) and sveral Auchhenorhyncha (Karelsulcia muelleri). In the last years we discovered them also in several beetle families, mostly specialized to provision precursors of tryrosine. Tyrosine is a central building block of the insect cuticle and elimination or inhibition of these endosymbionts results in drastic impairment of the cuticle and tolerance to harsh environmental conditions as well as natural enemies.
After the description of the symbiont identity and metabolic capabilities, we aim on elucidating how they interact with their hosts and each other. I will present current approaches on host symbiont control, as well as interaction between complementary symbionts.
