Dino McMahon

Prof. Dino McMahon is a Professor at the Institute of Biology - Zoology, Freie Universität Berlin, leading the McMahon Group focused on host-parasite evolution and ecology. His research explores insect models to understand selection pressures in host-pathogen interactions, particularly in social insect societies. He advises PhD students Shulin He and Thorben Sieksmeyer, and collaborates with technician Annett Herrmann. His work bridges evolutionary biology, genomics, and immunology, addressing topics like termite sociality, viral evolution, and microbial drivers of social behavior. McMahon's lab (McMahon lab) is active in Germany, with global collaborations.

Research interests include genomic adaptations in termites, social immunity mechanisms, and the evolutionary consequences of viral and fungal pathogens in insect societies. Notable projects involve high-resolution genome assemblies of termites, transcriptomic analyses of honeybee pathogens, and studies on the interplay between host microbiota and pathogen virulence. His group employs cutting-edge genomic and bioinformatic tools to unravel evolutionary transitions in social insects.

Publications highlight advancements in understanding termite symbiosis, viral dynamics in pollinators, and the molecular basis of social behavior. McMahon advocates for sustainable bee health and has contributed to international initiatives like the European Virus Bioinformatics Center. His work emphasizes the ecological and evolutionary impacts of parasites on insect societies, with potential applications in pest control and conservation biology.