We are interested in a universal feature of nearly every surface-associated microbial community; spatial self-organization. Different cell-types are not arranged randomly across space. Instead, they arrange themselves non-randomly and form spatial patterns. We want to understand the causes and consequences of spatial self-organization. Why do certain patterns emerge? How do these patterns affect the dynamics and behaviors of microbial systems? We then want to leverage the knowledge gained to rationally manipulate spatial self-organization to achieve biotechnological and public health objectives. Click on one of the topics below for more information.