Leaves host a significant part of the plant microbiome, a specialized community of microbes that influences plant tolerance to stress and protection against disease. The ecology of microbes on leaf surfaces is shaped by several microenvironmental cues, from the topographical features to the rapidly changing water dynamics. Our research in this area seeks to understand the underlying principles governing microbial life on leaves, focusing on the role biophysical factors play. Using microscopy and microfluidic techniques, we resolve aspects of microbial life in space and time, such as colonization dynamics and interactions between community members.
Funding: NCCR Microbiome