Ciencia Puerto Rico

We Study: The mechanisms involved in host-pathogen relationships. Specifically, using the Amphibian-Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis =Bd) system.

Our work: Expands from the organisms and their environments to the use of molecular biology techniques to detect pathogen loads and investigate the evolution of immune defense.

Where?: Although our interest is mainly in tropical direct-developing frogs (like the Puerto Rican coquis), we have projects in the South American Andes (Bolivia) and in Argentina.

Factors considered: Prevalence and Infection intensity associated with microhabitat, climate change, ontogeny, phylogeny, skin microbiome, thermal ecophysiology and more!