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Microbial Evolution Lab
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The lab explores endosymbiosis and microbial evolution through genomes.
AboutAbout the lab
Exploring organelle evolution through symbiosis.
The lab of Assistant Professor Takuro Nakayama focuses on the biological phenomenon in which completely different organisms live in symbiosis and behave as a single organism.
The mitochondria in our cells and the chloroplasts in plant leaves are thought to have originated from bacteria that once entered cells as endosymbionts and became established. The lab investigates the evolutionary path of this process.
The lab also studies the diversity and ecology of symbiotic microbes, and explores the evolution of single-celled eukaryotes through genome analysis and other approaches.
Assistant Professor Nakayama belongs to the Molecular Evolution Group of the Life Sciences Division at the Center for Computational Sciences.
Key terms
- Organelle
- A structure inside a cell, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, that carries out functions such as energy metabolism
- Endosymbiosis
- A relationship in which completely different organisms live together inside the cell of one of them. Mitochondria and chloroplasts are thought to have originated this way
- Eukaryote
- A group of organisms that includes animals and plants. It includes not only multicellular organisms but also many single-celled species
NewsLab news
A paper on the genome of a parasitic bacterium found in a dinoflagellate was published in Microbes and Environments
A paper on the genome of a symbiotic cyanobacterium of a dinoflagellate was published in Scientific Reports
ResearchResearch themes
The lab studies phenomena in which completely different organisms enter into symbiosis and function as a single organism, as in the endosymbiosis that gave rise to mitochondria and chloroplasts. Targeting symbiotic bacteria and their host cells, symbiotic microbes, and single-celled eukaryotes, it examines their evolution, diversity, and ecology.
*Illustrative imageOrganelle Evolution Through Symbiosis
Mitochondria and chloroplasts are thought to have originated from bacteria that became established as endosymbionts inside cells. The lab focuses on symbiotic bacteria and host cells that are thought to be in the process of becoming organelles right now, and investigates the evolution taking place in them.
*Illustrative imageDiversity and Ecology of Symbiotic Microbes
Microbes exist in enormous numbers in the environment, but those living in symbiosis with other organisms are still poorly understood. The lab aims to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of microbial ecosystems, including symbiotic microbes.
*Illustrative imageDiversity and Evolution of Single-Celled Eukaryotes
Single-celled eukaryotes have been found to have far greater genetic diversity than animals and plants. Through genome analysis and other approaches, the lab explores the evolution and physiological characteristics of eukaryotic microbes from a wide range of lineages.
MembersFaculty
- Assistant ProfessorTakuro Nakayama
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Sticholonche- unicellular eukaryote, radiolarian” MLE LA / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Organelle Evolution Through Symbiosis: “Termite endosymbiont metabolism organization and localization” Sina Adl / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Diversity and Ecology of Symbiotic Microbes: “Grand prismatic spring mats” GyozaDumpling / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Diversity and Evolution of Single-Celled Eukaryotes: “Vorticella 3” Bwiltz / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (重信研究室
（ゲノム情報学） ): “Wooly beech aphids on a beech leaf” Rosser1954 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped) - Related lab (進
化動物学 （中野 裕昭） ): “PSM V41 D632 Private room at the marine biology laboratory” 作者不詳 / Public domain (cropped) - Related lab (植物分類・系統・進化学グループ): “Algae under microscope” Gulnazakh / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (真核微生物ゲノム学
（鈴木 重勝） ): “Diatoms through the microscope” Prof. Gordon T. Taylor, Stony Brook University / Public domain (cropped)
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