Social Insect Systems

Studying the microbiomes of social insects, such as ants and termites, provides unique insights into small-molecule–mediated symbiotic interactions. These highly organized systems, shaped by millions of years of co-evolution, serve as powerful models for understanding how microbial communities influence host health, communication, and defence.

At the same time, these ecosystems represent a rich and largely untapped reservoir of bioactive compounds, many of which remain structurally and functionally uncharacterized. By dissecting the chemical interactions within these symbioses, we aim to illuminate this largely unexplored “chemical dark matter” and link molecular diversity to ecological function, ultimately advancing our understanding of these complex systems at the ecosystem level.

Bacterial Symbionts

A wide range of bacterial symbionts have been identified across diverse animal hosts. Many of these microbes play key functional roles: some are involved in breaking down plant and fungal biomass, while others contribute to host defence against pathogens and competitors.

In collaboration with our partners, we have shown that Actinobacteria possess extensive genomic and enzymatic capabilities, making them particularly promising candidates for both plant biomass decomposition and defensive symbiosis.

Across multiple projects, we apply eco-mimetic cultivation approaches to study and analyze host-associated microbes under conditions that closely resemble their natural environments. We also employ advanced long-read sequencing technologies to comprehensively analyze the genomic features of these isolates. Subsequent chemical investigations, performed on both pure (axenic) cultures and co-cultures, have led to the discovery of several new classes of natural products and map their biological activities.

Fungal Anatgonists

Many hosts harbor a distinct mycobiome composed of diverse fungal communities that play important roles in host biology. Under certain conditions, however, some fungal lineages can shift from benign associations to opportunistic or pathogenic lifestyles.

In collaboration with our partners, we are exploring the largely uncharted diversity of host-associated fungi, focusing on their taxonomy, genomic adaptations, and evolutionary trajectories. A central aspect of our work is the investigation of biosynthetic pathways involved in secondary metabolism. These pathways are likely critical for conferring evolutionary advantages, such as chemical defence or niche adaptation, while also imposing significant metabolic costs on the organism.

In depth metabolic analysis and chemical characterization of fungal secondary metabolites has proven key to map genes to molecules and functions.

Funding

Collaborations