Genomes of Limosilactobacillus reuteri isolated from different vetebrate hosts

Members of Limosilactobacillus reuteri are gut symbionts in different vertebrates, that provide clear benefits to their host. The species has been used as a model to unravel the evolution and mechanisms of host adaptation of a bacterial symbiont. However, the exact evolutionary mechanisms by which L. reuteri evolves with its host, especially with primates and humans, are poorly studied. In addition, the consequences of this process for the effect of strains on the host, and the mechanisms by which benefits arise, are insufficiently understood. This project plans to address knowledge gaps by a combination of comparative genomic analysis and functional characterization of L. reuteri strains in different host species.