The laboratory of Dr. Mark Liles conducts research at
the intersection of environmental and clinical microbiology
Bacterial and viral communities in natural environments play critical roles in ecological processes and in human and animal health. While the public perception of microbes as "germs" in need of elimination is rightfully deserved due to the scourge of bacterial diseases that have visited humans throughout history, there is now a growing appreciation of the ways in which environmental and commensal microorganisms contribute to human and animal health. Microorganisms have provided us with the chemical arsenal (i.e., antibiotics) needed to treat bacterial pathogens, and many diverse industries depend upon microbiological activities. It was only with the advent of genetic analysis that microbiologists have realized how little of the astounding bacterial and viral diversity that exists in natural environments has been described, much less exploited for the benefit of human health and society. The Liles laboratory is dedicated to an understanding of bacterial and viral functional diversity as it pertains to human health (i.e., the spread of antibiotic resistance genes), identification of novel antimicrobial compounds produced by environmental microorganisms (using a community genomic approach), and using biological control agents (bacterial cultures and bacteriophages specific to pathogens) for prevention of disease in aquaculture-raised channel catfish. Contact information for Dr. Liles Office: Room 316 Rouse Life Sciences Building, (334) 844-1656 Laboratory: Room 216 Rouse Life Sciences Building, (334) 844-2200 120 W. Samford Avenue, Auburn, AL 36849