7th International Cassiopea Workshop 2024
The International Cassiopea Workshop brings together researchers from around the world to share research and ideas related to the Cassiopea model system. The multidisciplinary meeting gathers scientists from diverse research backgrounds, with previous attendees having a wide array of expertise in symbiosis, behavior, fluid dynamics, etc.
The workshops have been instrumental in the continued development of the model system for the growing community, and have led to new ideas and new collaborations. We emphasize attendance from any who are interested, including young researchers.
El retorno de Los Arrecifes
Con la inminente adjudicación de las obras para la ‘Restauración de ecosistemas degradados del Canal del Dique’ (reporte entregado desde el 2017 por la empresa holandesa Royal Haskoning DHV, al gobierno del presidente Santos), la renovada promesa de tener nuevamente una bahía de aguas cristalinas es tangible; sin embargo, deshacer el daño causado por décadas de obras de dragado masivas, como las canalizaciones con grandes dragas de succión para ampliaciones y rectificaciones del canal (1923-1984), que se caracterizaron por el irrespeto a los bienes comunes de la nación, va a requerir un compromiso colectivo de todos los actores a nivel local y nacional.
The Evolution, Assembly, and Dynamics of Marine Holobionts
The holobiont concept (i.e., multiple living beings in close symbiosis with one another and functioning as a unit) is revolutionizing our understanding of biology, especially in marine systems. The earliest marine holobiont was likely a syntrophic partnership of at least two prokaryotic members. Since then, symbiosis has enabled marine organisms to conquer all ocean habitats through the formation of holobionts with a wide spectrum of complexities. However, most scientific inquiries have focused on isolated organisms and their adaptations to specific environments. In this review, we attempt to illustrate why a holobiont perspective—specifically, the study of how numerous organisms form a discrete ecological unit through symbiosis—will be a more impactful strategy to advance our understanding of the ecology and evolution of marine life. We argue that this approach is instrumental in addressing the threats to marine biodiversity posed by the current global environmental crisis.
HHMI Awards 50 New Gilliam Fellowships to Advance Equity and Inclusion in Science
JULY 27, 2023
Each July, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute welcomes dozens of graduate students and their advisers into a close-knit community of scientists committed to advancing equity and inclusion. Known as “Gilliam Day,” this annual celebration follows HHMI’s announcement of the newest cohort supported by the Gilliam Fellows Program.
Comparative Genomic Insights into Bacterial Induction of Larval Settlement and Metamorphosis in the Upside-Down Jellyfish Cassiopea
Bacteria are important mediators of the larval transition from pelagic to benthic environments for marine organisms. Bacteria can therefore dictate species distribution and success of an individual. Despite the importance of marine bacteria to animal ecology, the identity of inductive microbes for many invertebrates are unknown. Here, we report the first successful isolation of bacteria from natural substrates capable of inducing settlement and metamorphosis of the planula larvae stage of a true jellyfish, the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana. Inductive bacteria belonged to multiple phyla, with various capacity to induce settlement and metamorphosis.