#5 Rooted in Symbiosis: How Plants and Microbes Work Together - With Tora Fougner-Økland and Jonathan Jelen

What happens when plants and microbes join forces? In this episode, we dive into the world of symbiosis -specifically, the close and cooperative relationships between plants and microbes, such as arbuscular mycorrhiza and root nodule symbiosis. Our guests, doctoral students Tora Fougner-Økland and Jonathan Jelen from the Faculty of Biology at LMU Munich, guide us through the invisible but essential exchanges of nutrients and signals that take place in the soil. We explore how microbes access plants, how these interactions benefit both sides, and why they’re crucial for the future of sustainable agriculture.Tora and Johnny also share what it's like to pursue a doctoral degree within a large, collaborative research network - and how science thrives on teamwork, both in nature and in academia.Because our research network is made up of scientists from different countries, we’ve recorded this episode in English. Have a nice listen!