‘Mechanisms and evolution of bacterial predation: from molecular strategies to ecological impact’

Host: Prof Nicola Stanley-Wall  

  Online Seminar  

All staff/students are encouraged to attend online in support of the school seminar series 

  Bacterial predators are ubiquitous in soil ecosystems, suggesting they play fundamental roles in maintaining these environments. However, their direct functions remain elusive due to limited knowledge of their interactions within real ecological niches. This knowledge gap arises from a lack of methods to bridge laboratory research, often conducted in reductionist settings, with field studies in natural soils. In this presentation, I will discuss our research on Myxococcus xanthus, a soil bacterium that preys collectively by swarming through prey colonies, killing and feeding via direct contact. I will highlight recent findings on the mechanisms by which these bacteria kill and consume their prey and explore how these processes operate within their natural ecological context. 

Meeting ID: 344 368 389 540

Passcode: hpMZeJ