In nature, small molecules are often produced by macro- and microorganisms in order to facilitate communication and drive biological processes to the benefit (or detriment) of the community as a whole. Chemical gradients and chemical cues via the production of small molecules are ubiquitous across biological systems and my lab has used imaging mass spectrometry to study these cues and gradients in biofilm forming Gram-negative microbes. Imaging mass spectrometry can detect molecular signatures of interest in a sample as well as their spatial distributions across the entire sample. Taking advantage of known strengths of imaging on agar for bacteria, we have also adapted it for invertebrate tissues that are known to harbor these biofilm forming microbes.

I get by with a little help from my (microbial) friends

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.