Research

My research focuses on species coevolution in variable ecological habitats. Specifically, I investigate how environmental conditions (and ecosystem engineering) affect coevolution, and the rate and costs of adapting to environmental change.

Current Projects

Chasing the killer yeasts and their dsRNA viruses in the wild

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    Antagonistic species interactions can have fundamental effects on ecological and evolutionary dynamics of populations. The aim of this project is to test how predicted coevolutionary processes determine the competitive dynamics of the yeast strains (“killer yeast” system).The target multi-​species model system comprises of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the host, two double stranded RNA viruses (dsRNA L-A virus and dsRNA M virus), that when together in a host cell convert S. cerevisiae to a lethal toxin-​producing “killer yeast” that is competitively superior.
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Collaborators: Paul Rowley, Sarah Knight, Oliver Martin, Jukka Jokela

DIY – Ecosystem engineering as a general mechanism driving coevolution

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    Using Drosophila sp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as model organism, we investigate general mechanisms driving the evolution of mutualism. We propose that this niche construction may be a general mechanism driving the evolution of mutualisms.

Collaborators:  Mat Goddard, Richard Newcomb,  Anne Gaskett

Microbiome of Asellus aquaticus

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    Host-​microbiome interactions represent a crucial factor in shaping the ecology and evolution of the arthropods. Especially for detritivorous isopods, microbial symbionts help them to overcome the challenges posted by low-​nutrient detritus diet by providing essential d igestive enzymes. Here, we examining the role of microbiome in facilitating detritivorous diet and its interactions with host health.

Collaborators: Hanna Hartikainen,  Jukka Jokela,  Katja Räsänen, Christoph Vorburger