Amphibians and their microbes
Animals carry complex communities of symbiotic microorganisms (microbiome) that positively influence the host health by outcompeting invading pathogens. Imbalances in the host microbiome (dysbiosis) may increase susceptibility to disease. In WP4, we aim to study the skin microbiome of amphibians, focusing on bacteria, fungi and pathogenic Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) infection in order to increase our understanding on the formation, maintenance and function of host microbiomes in relation to disease.
The WP4 leader is Trude Vrålstad, PhD