Evolutionary biologist, interested in the origins of biodiversity. Mostly research the evolutionary ecology of symbiotic interactions. Professor at U.of Liverpool, UK. Born at 332ppm.
Greg Hurst
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Symbiont genomes are generally small, losing content. However, mobile element proliferation occasionally drives genome expansion. Is this a chance thing? Emily observed coinfecting symbionts with greatly enlarged genomes (via distinct mobile elements) implying an underlying driver of expansion. 2/2
The Rickettsia is about double 'normal' size. In the plot below, blue lines are insertion sequences locations. Over half the genome. I still find it remarkable this bacterium is able to grow and replicate!
New preprint ex @bolinabug.bsky.social (+ @daisukekageyama.bsky.social & @scottishwormboy.bsky.social) on the pronounced secondary expansion of Spiroplasma and Rickettsia genomes in lacewings doi.org/10.1101/2025... #symbiosky 1/2
We are offering an exciting opportunity for a clinical trainee to undertake a PhD in an area relating to outbreak prone infectious disease of public health importance or zoonoses: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DNJ811/h...
Join us for another Internal Conflicts STN seminar tomorrow at 9:00 UTC! Emily Hornett (@bolinabug.bsky.social) and Greg Hurst (@greghurst.bsky.social) will talk about their work on male-killing and sex determination evolution. Zoom info and more: internalconflictsstn.wordpress.com/seminars/
Looking for a postdoc on bacterial-insect symbiosis, combining evolution and molecular mechanisms? I'll have one open in my lab starting Sept 2025. If interested contact me (or find me at the GRC on Animal-microbe symbiosis if you'll be there). #SymbioSky
Two fully funded #PhD positions on insect #Symbiosis available in our lab: Spiroplasma in Neotropical Arthropods (tinyurl.com/spiroplasma) & Psyllid symbionts (tinyurl.com/psyllids).
Please contact me for any questions & share widely #symbiosky #academicjobs
