The Queller-Strassmann Lab

We study the evolution of interaction at three major levels. Within a species cooperation can help participants, sometimes at a cost to others. We study exactly what this means at the extremes of sociality, where some individuals give up their lives for others. The short answer within species is that individuals help relatives. We also study cooperation between species, where everyone must benefit for the system to evolve. Finally, we are exploring predation as perhaps the strongest conflict between species.

We study the social amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum. It shows extraordinary altruism, has a fascinating “farming” symbiosis, and is a super-generalist predator. This microbial system is amenable to a gene-level understanding. Gene knockouts, experimental evolution, genome sequencing, and social experiments are easy with this tiny social eukaryote. We use behavioral, genetic, genomic, microbiological, cell biology, and field techniques. We have an outstanding group of highly motivated, brilliant students, and have room for more.