Microbially produced specialized metabolites are well studied in the context of human health e.g. antibiotics; however, little is known about their function in nature. Current model systems are limited in scope because they fall short of mimicking natural environments. This gap presents a unique opportunity to develop an environmentally relevant, tractable model system for studying the ecology of specialized metabolites. Our candidate for such a model is the microbiome of the root nodule. The root nodule is a symbiotic structure that forms on the roots of leguminous plants where rhizobia fix atmospheric nitrogen. Until recently, rhizobia were thought to be the sole microbial inhabitants in this symbiosis; however, recent metagenomic work has demonstrated these niches contain a phylogenetically diverse community. With this model system, I hope to ask questions related to ecological theory, small molecule-driven social behaviors and community succession.
Search Block
