Pathogenic Potential of Microbiota

OVERVIEW

In the wake of the genomics era and with attention shifting toward the vast collections of microbes that make up indigenous microbiota, our understanding of what defines the pathogenic potential of a given microbe has become blurred. What was once considered a clear dichotomy between pathogens and commensals is now better thought of as a spectrum of contextual and fluid host–microbe relationships. A major area of interest in the Wiles Lab is to identify the factors that determine the pathogenic and beneficial properties of microbes. In particular, we aim to understand the connection between the ecology of symbiotic microbes and their relationship with their host.