Ecology and evolution of yeasts in natural systems and their interaction with the environment and animals

Microorganisms are (almost?) everywhere, most of them are unharmful, but some of them may have a relevant impact on human activities and health.

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Over the spreading process, exposure to different environments may drive the evolution of microorganisms.

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By understanding the factors regulating the spread and evolution of microorganisms among different environments we would have the capability of controlling and exploiting them.

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We have recently discovered an association between social insects and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the yeast most commonly used for the production of wine, beer, and bread. Insects are capable of maintaining yeast cells in their intestines over unfavorable seasons (when nutrients are lacking), spreading microbial cells among natural environments, and promoting the mating between S.cerevisiae strains, an event otherwise rare in nature. Hence, this association has an impact on the evolution of the budding yeast and on our possibility of exploiting a broader variability of this yeast.

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We are currently delving into the factors regulating this association and further exploring potential associations between the budding yeast and other animals.