Ζωής

Reminiscent of zombies in pop culture, some (fungal) parasites hijack and change host behaviours. Parasites use this behavioural manipulation strategy to improve transmission from one host to the next. Our molecular understanding of this phenomenon is very limited. To increase our knowledge, our lab received a Consolidator Award from the European Research Council to further develop the so-called “zombie ants” into a model system. These ants are infected by Ophiocordyceps fungi, which cause summit disease.