Welcome to the Garcia-Pichel Lab

We study the nature, evolution, role, adaptations, and effects of microbial communities in their natural habitats. Ecosystems of interest include deserts, and tropical islands, along with examining ecosystems from Earth’s past.

The main organisms of interest for the FGP lab are Cyanobacteria. However, we are also interested in the other bacteria, archaea, and fungi found in our ecosystems of interest. Our research includes studies on the diversity and distribution of bacteria in natural communities, such as microbial mats and biological soil crusts.

The FGP lab also examines the interactions between microbial growth, photosynthesis, and mineral formation, such as those seen in stromatolites. Finally, we want to know about the environments in which microbes have existed since their appearance on Earth and throughout time.