Our research focuses on the ecology and evolution of symbiotic associations between animals and microbes. We utilize a cross-disciplinary approach incorporating ecological, evolutionary, behavioral, genetic, and microbiological approaches and employ molecular ecology and phylogenetic techniques to examine how microbes shape the biology of higher organisms.
Past PMB Seminars
For a schedule of all Plant & Microbial Biology events, seminars, and lectures visit our calendar.
Tracy L. Johnson, Ph.D.: Beyond Diversity
A lecture and panel discussion (3:30-5:00 pm) followed by a reception (after 5 pm). The greatest population growth in the US is happening in precisely the populations that remain profoundly underrepresented in the sciences. It is clear that the long-term vitality of the scientific enterprise in the US is dependent on preparing a broader population of young people to be the scientific leaders...
John Harte: ERG Annual Lecture: John Harte
John Harte investigates the effects of human actions on, and the linkages among, biogeochemical processes, ecosystem structure and function, biodiversity, and climate.
Fire Ecology in California with David Ackerly
The UC Botanical Garden is pleased to host David Ackerly, PI of the Ackerly Lab at UC Berkeley and a leader of the Berkeley Initiative in Global Change Biology for a talk on fire ecology in California and the Bay Area. As our climate changes and we face more extreme fires, what are the impacts on biodiversity and the native flora of California? This talk will look at recent fires and the long...
Center for Computational Biology Seminar
Title: Modeling the complex impact of genetic variation on gene expression Abstract: Non-coding and regulatory genetic variation plays a significant role in human health, but the impact of regulatory variants has proven difficult to predict from sequence alone. Further, genetic effects can be modulated by context, such as cell type and environmental factors. We have developed machine learning...
Bassem Al-Sady: What makes heterochromatin epigenetic? Lessons from a single cell spreading sensor
The Al-Sady lab interests reside in uncovering the mechanisms that underlie the assembly and fidelity of inheritance of heterochromatin, a specialized protein-nucleic acid composite. Unraveling these mechanisms is key to understanding the manner in which large stretches of the genome can be precisely and heritably partitioned into active and inactive regions. The heterochromatin system presents...
Rocio Sanchez: PMB Student and Postdoc Seminar
Come join us to hear research going on in PMB from graduate students and post docs. There will be snacks and coffee/tea. Please bring a mug. Hosted by the Plant and Microbial Biology Student Group (PMBG). Also this week, please come celebrate our PMB Outstanding GSIs, Johan Jaenisch and Sophia Ewens, at 12:30 sharp! This event is sponsored by the UCB Graduate Assembly. Event is ADA...
Dylan Paiton: Grounds for Science-The deceptiveness of perception
Optical illusions and visual hallucinations are highly unusual. How is it that we are able to see something that is not really there? Dylan will outline standard methods that neuroscientists use to better understand how our brains process light, and introduce a theory for conscious vision that has guided decades of computational and experimental neuroscience.
Jade Wang: The critical roles of (p)ppGpp in Gram positive bacteria
Our research focuses on how living systems accurately duplicate and process their genetic information by regulating the central dogma processes of replication, transcription, and translation. Conserved from bacteria to humans, the central dogma lies at the heart of all cellular activities and its regulation is essential for survival and genome stability.
Nancy Keller: Taylor-White Lecture: Chemical Intelligence of Fungi
Nancy Keller's research focus lies in genetically dissecting those aspects of Aspergillus spp. that render them potent pathogens and superb natural product machines. We are interested in elucidating the mechanism of fungal sporulation and host/pathogen interactions; processes intimately linked to secondary metabolite (e.g. mycotoxin) production.