Disentangling the origins of eukaryotic cells: genes, trees and organelles

Understanding the relationships between the major groups of cellular life is important for understanding the origins of cells and the evolution of biological diversity, but it is difficult given the millions of years that have passed since life first evolved. The origin of eukaryotes –cells like our own – in particular has fascinated biologists since well before Darwin. In my talk I will discuss new molecular data and analyses that support the hypothesis that eukaryotic cells are fundamentally chimeric having originated through symbioses between different types of prokaryotic cell.
Professor Dr. Martin Embley is member of the molecular and cellular evolution of microbial eukaryotes research group at Newcastle University. He gained his PhD in microbiology from the University of Newcastle and then taught for eight years before joining the Natural History Museum in London as a researcher. He has been at Newcastle University since 2004 where he is professor of molecular evolutionary biology. Martin Embley works on the evolution of eukaryotic cells, their genomes and organelles related to mitochondria, using anaerobic and parasitic eukaryotes including Entamoeba, Giardia, Trichomonas, and Microsporidia, as model organisms.
Moderation: Professor Dr. Michael Lalk