Tiara Perez Morales

Bacteria interact with their environment through mechanisms like quorum sensing (QS), a form of cell-cell communication that regulates gene expression and collective behaviors across both pathogenic and environmental species. Our laboratory investigates how natural and synthetic small molecules influence QS pathways in diverse Gram-positive bacteria, including Streptococcus pyogenes and Lactobacillus acidophilus. We also collaborate with the Chemistry Department to screen and characterize compounds that modulate QS activity.

In parallel, our research extends to the study of bacteriophages associated with environmental soil hosts, most notably Arthrobacter species. Using molecular biology, comparative genomics, and bioinformatic analyses, we aim to characterize lysogenic phages and define the genetic determinants underlying their infection cycles and immunity systems.

Student researchers in our laboratory employ microbiological, genetic, and biochemical assays to examine how these molecular interactions shape bacterial physiology and phage behavior. They also use molecular and computational tools to identify novel QS systems and prophage elements, gaining experience in both wet-lab and in-silico approaches. Together, these efforts advance understanding of microbial communication, phage–host interactions, and their implications within their environment.