Our lab studies the causes and consequences of long-term associations between hosts and resident microorganisms. We use diverse approaches to elucidate the impact of the microbiome on host nutritional physiology, development, reproduction, behaviour and function. Our primary focus is on insects – an extraordinarily successful group of organisms that show complex and intricate associations with microorganisms. We aim to leverage insect-microbiome interactions to develop novel biotechnological applications in health and agriculture.