Master Thesis Projects in Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology

*Master Thesis Projects in Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology - 
Research Group Insect Symbiosis *

A position is available from July 2014 in Jena, Germany, to carry out 
either of the projects outlined below.

Beetles in the subfamily Lagriinae live in association to bacteria of 
the genus /Burkholderia/, a group exhibiting extraordinary ecological 
and metabolic versatility. The transmission of the symbiotic bacteria 
from mother to offspring is facilitated by structures, particularly in 
the larval stage, that are considered unique in terms of location and 
development.

*Project 1: Horizontal transmission of bacterial symbionts in lagriid 
beetles*

Despite a described vertical transmission route, the possibility remains 
that lagriid beetles occasionally acquire /Burkholderia/ from the 
environment or from related host species (horizontal transmission), 
having important implications for the ecology and evolutionary 
trajectory of the association. The main purpose of the project is to 
test whether horizontal transmission of bacterial symbionts can occur 
across two different lagriid species and to describe potential exchange 
routes, as well as the possibility of infection by multiple bacterial 
strains.

In order to address these questions, the student will work on 
manipulative experiments involving bacterial culture, insect collection 
and lab rearing, DNA extraction, PCR, phylogenetic analyses and 
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). We are looking for a highly 
motivated candidate with a strong background in the areas of ecology, 
evolutionary biology, entomology or microbiology, to carry out her/his 
M.Sc. thesis project or an internship for a period of 4-6 months.

*Project 2: Genomics of /Burkholderia/ symbionts of lagriid beetles *

The symbiotic bacteria in the two lagriid hosts investigated until now 
belong to the species /Burkholderia gladioli/, which is known to be 
pathogenic on certain plants and fungi, as well as an opportunistic 
human pathogen. The lagriid-associated strains possess a genome of 
comparable size lacking evident signs of gene erosion, contrary to other 
vertically transmitted bacterial symbionts. A M.Sc. thesis project is 
available to carry out a comparative genomic analysis of the symbiotic 
strains and closest relatives with a different life style in order to 
identify genomic traits and/or specific genes that are potentially 
relevant for the symbiosis.

The M.Sc. student should have experience and/or a solid theoretical 
knowledge in bioinformatics, genome analysis and biochemistry, as well 
as a strong interest in evolutionary biology and the ecology of 
symbiotic interactions. Background in transcriptome analyses is also 
advantageous.

Please send your applications (including previous research experience 
and CV) to:

Laura Flórez/Dr. Martin Kaltenpoth

Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Research Group Insect Symbiosis
Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena - Germany

E-mail: lflorez [at] ice.mpg.de or mkaltenpoth [at] ice.mpg.de

Laura Flórez
Insect Symbiosis Research Group
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Hans Knoell Str. 8
07745 Jena, Germany

Tel: +49 (0)3641 57 1804
Fax: +49 (0)3641 57 1810

Laura Florez