Host-microorganism interactions
I am interested in how hosts interact functionally, and evolutionarily, with microorganisms, from pathogens to mutualists. Our lab addresses this general problem studying Drosophila melanogaster and its symbionts, including viruses, the intracellular bacteria Wolbachia, and gut microbiota. A reductionist approach to these complex relationships is possible in Drosophila because of its powerful genetics and relatively simple symbiotic community.
Keywords
Host-microbe interactions / symbiosis / Drosophila / Wolbachia / microbiota / immunity