See lab website for details: www.microgenomes.com 

​​DNA is the foundation of life, and its accurate replication and repair are essential for cellular survival. Yet, the genome of an organism is constantly challenged by mutations arising from replication errors, environmental stress, or horizontal gene transfer. While these changes can sometimes be costly, they also enable evolution — in bacteria, such genome plasticity can drive rapid adaptation to diverse and often stressful environments.​

Our lab studies the molecular mechanisms that maintain and modify microbial genomes, with a focus on DNA replication, recombination, and repair. These processes not only preserve genome integrity but also generate diversity that fuels evolution and antibiotic resistance. We are particularly interested in how these pathways shape the structure and dynamics of the bacterial chromosome and how they interact with extrachromosomal elements like plasmids and bacteriophage genomes. By understanding how cells manage and respond to these dynamic DNA elements, we aim to uncover fundamental principles of microbial survival and adaptation.

Caulobacter cells with fluorescently labeled chromosomal loci in red and green