Esther Angert lab

The Angert lab specializes in the interplay between specific microbial populations and their animal hosts. Current research is aimed at defining these relationships and understanding how they impact host nutritional ecology and evolution. The lab group is interested in developing a comprehensive understanding of the biology of an exceptional group of bacteria called Epulopiscium spp. that inhabit the intestinal tract of tropical marine surgeonfish. These bacteria are the largest heterotrophic bacteria known and can be seen with the unaided eye. They have evolved unique cell structures and reproductive strategies that support their unusual size and reinforce their symbiotic associations. Undergraduate projects in the lab allow students to gain experience in molecular biology, microbiology, and basic bioinformatics tools.