Microbiology Commons^™

Insights Into Steinernema Carpocapsae-Xenorhabdus Nematophila Specificity And The Role Of Adult Nematode Colonization, Erin Mans

Doctoral Dissertations

The gut microbiota can provide the host with several benefits such as the production of secondary metabolites, essential amino acids, as well as the breakdown of food or protection from pathogens. The host in turn provides the microbiota with shelter and nutrients. Given the benefits that the host and microbiota receive from their association, humans and the microbiota have evolved mechanisms of selection and specificity to assure the proper symbionts colonize a host with high fidelity. Chapter two will explore mechanisms by which Xenorhabdus nematophila nematode intestinal localization (nil) genes interact with and adhere to the nematode intestinal …