We are the Velicer Lab.... Click on our name to learn more about each of us.
If you would like to join the lab, contact Greg
Dr. Gregory J. Velicer - Principal Investigator
Dr. Nicco Yu – Associate Scientist
The goal of my research is to understand molecular mechanisms that underlie novel adaptive social phenotypes in lab-evolved strains of M. xanthus and also to understand the functional significance of natural variation in M. xanthus social genes.
Dr. Jeff Smith - Postdoctoral Researcher
I want to understand how natural selection creates cooperation and conflict. I'm especially interested in systems that involve microbes and/or selfish genes. I'm studying the genetic mechanisms of cheating in Myxococcus xanthus. How many traits are susceptible to cheating? How easy is it to become a cheater? How do cells evolve resistance to cheating? My hope is that this work will begin to open the "black box" of genetics in social evolution.
Dave Van Dyken - Graduate Student
I am broadly interested in the evolution of microbial interactions. In the Velicer lab, I am using M. xanthus as a model for studying antagonistic coevolution in mixed-species microbial communities. By manipulating various factors in a series of controlled, experimental co-evolutionary communities, I hope to gain an understanding of the factors that influence the rate, magnitude, and specificity of co-adaptation in nature.
Susanne Kraemer - Graduate Student
I am interested in how certain social traits we observe in the lab such as formation of multicellular fruiting bodies, social swarming and cheating translate into a more natural soil environment. On the other side I want to know how properties of the natural environment enable M. xanthus to evolve and maintain its enormous natural variation.
Pauline Manhes - Graduate Student
Using experimental evolution in the lab, I aim at understanding the dynamics of the interaction between cooperators and selfish individuals in bacteria. I wish to appreciate which factors favor cooperative interactions over competitive ones and whether mechanisms that prevent the spread of selfish individuals can evolve in bacteria.
Helena Mendes-Soares - Graduate Student
I am interested in the predatory behavior of Myxococcus xanthus and how it may affect the dynamics of microbial interactions. I aim at understanding what the mechanisms of predation are, how they influence the range of potential bacterial prey for M. xanthus, and how these mechanisms can change after evolution under different biotic environmental conditions.
Hansrainer Peitz - Graduate Student
My main interest lies in factors that promote group living and in the origins of group living in bacteria. Why do bacteria live in groups? What the benefits are of group living? What influence do environmental factors have on the group living of bacteria? M. xanthus as a social, soil living bacterium is a good model organism to study these questions. I am also interested in comparative genomics of natural M. xanthus isolates.
Peter Zee - Graduate StudentI am generally interested in how interactions influence the evolution of species. Using Myxococcus xanthus as a model system for experimental evolution, I hope to shed light on how interactions within species, between species, and the environment can alter evolutionary trajectories.
Brandon Satinsky - Research Assistant
Coming soon.
Katie Morris - Undergraduate Research Assistant
Currently I am studying the swarming size of Myxococcus xanthus in soil on a millimeter scale. In the future I hope to begin research on certain biochemical aspects of M. xanthus’ behavior.
Nicole Beckage – Undergraduate Research Assistant
Coming soon.