Fiat Lux: Symbiont Bioluminescence Drives the Squid-Vibrio System

Saturday, 15 February 2014
Crystal Ballroom A (Hyatt Regency Chicago)
Margaret McFall-Ngai , University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
The bioluminescence of the symbiont Vibrio fischeri is the principal ‘product’ that the bacterial partner translocates to the host animal Euprymna scolopes. In their life-long relationship, the host animal uses the symbiont luminescence in its nocturnal behavior. This presentation will discuss the reciprocal dialogue between host and symbiont that relies on V. fischeri light production, and the control of that light by the host animal.