We are interested in the biology, biochemistry and chemistry of ants-bacteria symbiosis. Specifically we attempt to identify the molecular mechanisms driving symbiosis at different phylogenetic scales.
For example we have studied the diversity of bacterial communities on the cuticle of different ant species using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. With metagenome mining and amplicon sequencing methods, we also have studied the diversity of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in the genomes of bacteria associated with ants and have tested for phylogenetic or ecological correlations. In both cases one objective is to discover new defensive mutualistic associations that may help guide future prospecting in search of bioactive molecules with applications in pharmaceutical sciences.
Thanks to isotopic enrichment and solid-state NMR, we have recently revealed how gut bacteria contribute to the cuticle formation of Cephalotes ants by recycling nitrogen atoms that are integrated into the cuticular components (chitin, cross-linkers, cuticular proteins).
This work is developed in close collaboration with Corrie Moreau (Cornell University).