From the depths of the Amazon jungle, through health and disease, to the International Space Station and time travel! The magic of microbiomes.
Professor Paul A. Lawson will cover in his talk some of his work with microbiomes and the growing influence of these in many different areas of scientific investigations. The ability to determine the microbiological makeup of the microbiomes of diverse habitats provides a powerful tool to determine key organisms in these ecosystems. These organisms are now known to have an enormous role in the stability of these ecosystems and health and disease process in host animals. His talk will cover work with hunter-gatherers, NASA, CDC as well as applications to investigation ancient microbiomes of mummies and Neolithic people.
About Prof. Paul A. Lawson
Paul A. Lawson, Ph.D; F.A.C.B.S. Fulbright Scholar
Lawson Microbial Systematics Laboratory
Center for Microbial Identification and Taxonomy (CMIT)
Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology
University of Oklahoma
Professor Lawson’s career spans over 30 years and has been associated with the naming or reclassification of over 140 bacteria that includes 2 families, 40 genera and almost 100 species with 2 genera being named in his honour. The focus of much of his work is with the gastrointestinal tract of both man and animals. His work has resulted in a fundamental restructuring of the genus Clostridium and relatives, he regularly contributes to Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology and other preeminent resources for microbial identification and taxonomy. He is an Editor of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (IJSEM) as well as on the Editorial Boards of a number of other journals and international committees dealing with the systematics of Prokaryotes. He’s here as a Fulbright Scholar working on the Lactic Acid Bacteria associated with foods.
