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Symbiont chromosome orientation toward its host

30.08.2019

Using marine nematodes, scientists have determined that the symbiont DNA adapts to each other.

The benefits of symbiosis - the coexistence of different species for mutual benefit - still holds many unanswered questions. An international research team led by microbiologist Silvia Bulgheresi from the University of Vienna has found that in some bacterial species even the organization of the DNA aligns with its host - similar to a compass needle, which always points to the north. The results are currently published in the journal "Current Biology". Bulgheresi, Silvia et al.: "A bidimensional segregation mode maintains symbiont chromosome orientation toward its host" DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.07.064

(c) Philipp Weber, Universität Wien