What?

In the Heppert Lab, we investigate the close relationships between animals and microbes, often called symbioses or host-associated microbiomes. We want to know how these associations form, how are they maintained, and how they evolve on a molecular and cellular level. 

Why ?

These invisible cross-kingdom partnerships are all around us, and understanding how they work is a critical for sustaining ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. 

How?

To achieve this goal, we take an interdisciplinary approach rooted in molecular genetics and genomics, using tractable lab model systems (mostly nematodes, bacteria, and insects).