Microbiology: Watching the Evolution of Mutualism from its Origin in Real-Time
Schools or Programs: Biological Sciences, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
Location(s): UW Bothell
Quarter(s): Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Includes the quarter to apply or participate.
Hours per Week: 1hr - 3hrs
Estimated weekly effort
Compensation: No compensation or volunteer position
Watching the evolution of mutualism from its origin in real-time, in the laboratory
- Project: Is this genomic data real
- Project: Measure fitness effects of evolved mutations.
Research questions
- Have the two microbes coevolved?
- How has this coevolution affected their evolution?
- Can we see the coevolution at the molecular level?
- How did they adapt to mutualism?
- Which traits changed and what are their effects?
Student Responsibilities
Distinguish errors from real mutations in next-gen sequence data,
- Use a Linux server,
- Code and write scripts,
- Use genomics software,
- Culture anaerobic microbes in the glove box,
- Troubleshoot growth of colonies and electroporation, and
- Write a protocol for other undergraduates