Narrative

Dr. Gerardo is studying how host organisms and beneficial microbes establish and maintain relationships, and how they collaborate to defend themselves against parasites and pathogens. The focal system in the lab now includes the interaction between aphids, beneficial bacteria, and different aphid pathogens like bacteria and fungi. Also, the lab works with various bug systems that have diverse associations with bacteria symbionts and fungus-growing ants and their associated fungal pathogens.