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García-Bayona Lab studies the role of mobile genes in community interactions and the intestinal microbiota, focusing on the rapidly evolving human microbiome influenced by modern lifestyles, particularly in industrialized countries. The lab aims to understand how horizontal gene transfer shapes interactions within the human intestinal microbiota and its implications for human health, such as the ability of gut communities to recover from antibiotic treatments. Currently, there is only a superficial understanding of the cellular roles of exchanged genes and the mechanisms that govern their spread and impact on community dynamics. The lab employs a bottom-up approach, integrating genetics, metagenomics, and experimental evolution with tractable bacterial consortia, bridging the gap between current systems-level observational studies and mechanistic insights into bacterial genetics and physiology.
The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.