Microorganisms are the most abundant life form on Earth in terms of biomass and the most diverse on the Tree of Life. They play key roles in the Earth’s geochemical cycles and atmosphere (they provided the Earth with an oxygen-rich atmosphere) and the health of its inhabitants.

Microbiology labs in the CMDB program investigate the structure-function basis of symbiosis between the gut microbiome and host, the evolution of host-microbe associations and the role of microbes in animal development and function, host-pathogen interactions, the molecular mechanisms of stress response in extremophiles, and the structural mechanisms and cell biology of microbes. Labs use several model systems and various techniques, including biochemistry, genetics, bioinformatics, imaging, mathematical modeling, cryo-electron microscopy, and cryo-electron tomography.

Microbiology faculty

Our faculty members have a wide range of research specialties. Learn about their work and how you can get connected with our microbiology faculty.