Dylan Shropshire, Ph.D. Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University

From One Host to Another: Deciphering Symbiont Strategies for Host Switching

Abstract

This research seeks to investigate a large gap in our understanding of endosymbiont-host relationships by questioning how Wolbachia bacteria, the most common endosymbiont found in over half of all insect species, switches hosts. Dr. Shropshire hypothesizes Wolbachia host switching occurs through shared food and aims to develop a predictive framework to determine when and where host transfers occur. Through this research, Dr. Shropshire endeavors to understand what processes support or prevent new endosymbiont-host relationships from forming. If this research is successful, it may improve methods for introducing Wolbachia into new insect species to protect humans, crops and endangered animals from diseases spread by mosquitoes such as Dengue and Zika. A member of the Scientific Advisory Board  noted that “the proposal is well written, and the experiments clearly described, with preliminary data supporting the aims…with prospects for good outcomes from this research is excellent.”

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