What we study
| Our research focuses on the ecology and evolution of symbiotic associations between animals and microbes. We utilize a cross-disciplinary approach incorporating ecological, evolutionary, behavioral, genetic, and microbiological approaches and employ molecular ecology and phylogenetic techniques to examine how microbes shape the biology of higher organisms. Our main study system is the quadripartite association between fungus-growing ants, their fungal cultivars, mutualistic bacteria, and specialized garden pathogens. |  |
Recent News!
Cameron has been granted full professorship. Congratulations Cameron!- Cameron saw Will Smith while he was field collecting in Costa Rica! Who knew Will Smith liked leaf-cutters too?
- Heidi, Gina and Cameron just returned from a successful field collecting trip to Costa Rica. They collected leaf cutter ants as well as other fungus growing ants. Check out this video of Cameron collecting an Atta cephalotes colony.
- We have a new addition to the lab! Welcome to Rele Sekonyela, our newest lab tech!
- Lily Khadempour, a new graduate student, has joined the lab. Welcome Lily!
- Congratulations to Dr. Jarrod Scott and Laura Schwab M.Sc on successfully defending their theses!
- The Leaf-Cutter Ant genome has been published, along with a few other papers including other ant genomes and a paper on cellulose degrading bacteria in the Sirex Woodwasp! Check out the publications here!
- The Ant-Cam is up and running! Watch our Atta cephalotes display colony in real-time as they maintain their garden and integrate leaf material! You can also follow the colony on Twitter!
- Check out our recent publication on the microbiome of Leaf-Cutter Ant Fungus Gardens!
- Visit our Publications section
- The Currie Lab was featured as the front page article in the Isthmus newspaper! Check out our Media Section for the link to the full article.
- The Currie Lab has officially MOVED! Please check our contact section for the updated information.
- View the abstract or full-text of the Currie Lab Publication on Nitrogen-fixation in the Leaf-cutter Ant fungus gardens by navigating to the publications section.
- The Leaf-Cutter Ants have officially moved into their new exhibit in the Microbe Place in the Microbial Sciences Building!
- The Currie Lab is featured in the recent issue of grow: Wisconsin's Magazine for the Life Sciences!
- Rhonda has taken back to her Waunakee High School Biotechnology classroom the lignocellulytic screening process that she developed during her time in the Currie Lab!
- Cameron received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers!!!
- View the official release from The White House
- View the Cameron-specific article on the eCALS website