Bats are a species-rich group that contributes to biodiversity in many ways. In addition to climate change, bats are now threatened by the fungal disease white-nose syndrome, which infects the skin of hibernating individuals. The infection has a high mortality rate in North America, yet European bats survive exposure exceptionally well. This project aims to determine whether the skin microbiome protects European bats from infection during hibernation. It also aims to discover what genes are responsible for protecting the host against fungal infection. This information is necessary for the development of white-nose syndrome treatment and the protection of endangered bat species as climate change expands the range of the disease.
