Welcome to the de la torre lab website at
san francisco state university
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Our research group studies the ecology, evolution and cell biology of microorganisms living in extreme environments, particularly terrestrial hot springs. Among those microorganisms, we are especially focused on a lineage of thermophilic ammonia-oxidizing archaea that mediate key reactions in the nitrogen cycle.
We are interested in how environmental conditions (chemistry, pH, temperature) and evolutionary history influence the composition and function of natural microbial communities in these extreme environments, with special attention to the contribution of these microorganisms to the carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycles. This work is at the intersection many disciplines, including Microbiology, Ecology, Evolution, Genomics, Bioinformatics and Biogeochemistry. We are constantly interacting with other scientists in different fields and we're always learning new things! We also are studying the cell biology of a group of thermophilic archaea we cultivated from hot springs around the world. In particular, we are exploring how the protein machinery involved in reshaping the cellular membrane assembles and operates during cell division in these archaea. We have ongoing research projects in Yellowstone National Park, California and Nevada, and have been working closely with researchers at the UC San Francisco, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Montana State University, Arizona State University and UC Davis. Research projects in the lab are suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students. If you are interested in joining us, reach out via the contact page. |
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