The Ontogeny of Our Microbial Organ

OVERVIEW

The microbes that colonize our bodies are often referred to as a "microbial organ" because of the important functions they provide. By understanding the ontogeny of this organ (i.e., its development and life history), new microbiome-based medical interventions and diagnostics can be designed. In the Wiles Lab we aim to build a better understanding of bacterial life cycles by dissecting how bacteria colonize their host, form stable populations, and transmit to new hosts.