DSSS - The Ecology and Evolution of the model nematode C. elegans

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is one of the central model organisms in the life sciences and has been extensively studied under highly standardized laboratory conditions. However, due to an early-adopted cultivation protocol, nearly all research has been conducted in the absence of its natural microbiome. Despite decades of intensive study, surprisingly little is known about the natural habitats and ecological dynamics of C. elegans. My laboratory is among the few worldwide investigating the nematode’s natural ecology and evolution by integrating field studies, mesocosm and evolution experiments, functional genetics, and multi-omics approaches. In this presentation, I will summarize our current understanding of C. elegans in its natural context and focus on recent work exploring its interactions with its native microbiome. Our findings reveal that the microbiome profoundly influences nematode metabolism, fitness, and immunity, mediated through modulation of stress responses, immune signaling pathways, and lipid metabolism. Finally, I will present our most recent discoveries on the worm’s intricate interaction with an unexpected, naturally coexisting insect predator. Together, these studies underscore the critical importance of ecological context for understanding the biology, evolution, and gene function of C. elegans—many of which remain uncharacterized.