The bacterium Vibrio fischeri colonizes the light organ of the bobtail squid, and this is one of the best characterized symbiotic relationships, thanks to the pioneering work of Dr. Ned Ruby and Dr. Margaret McFall-Ngai (Caltech University). The symbiotic relationship between Ruby and his lab, who focus primarily on the bacteria, and McFall-Ngai and her lab, who focus primarily on the squid, has led to a deep understanding of what symbiosis really means at the molecular level. microTalk will discuss this fascinating interplay between bacteria and squid, what led them to study this interaction, and what they think we can learn from symbiotic behavior.