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Date Submitted
Spring 4-16-2015
Research Mentor and Department
Debra Brock
Restricted/Unrestricted
Restricted
Abstract
Symbionts are able to provide many nutriOonal resources to their eukaryoOc hosts through photosynthesis, nitrogen fixaOon, and the ability to produce essenOal amino acids and vitamins, and degrade cellulose [Douglas 1994]. However, symbionts are also able to provide nutriOonal resources to their hosts in other nonmetabolic capaciOes. In our model organism, the soil-dwelling social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, about one-third of clones have are able to carry food bacteria with them throughout the social stage. We call these clones farmers. Farmers used in this study carry also carry Burkholderia xenovorans which can provide some other advantages to the hosts.