The laboratory of Integrative Marine Genomics and Symbiosis (IMAGES) studies the mutualistic association between marine cnidarian hosts and their microbial symbionts (Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes) from different perspectives, including cell biology, eco-physiology and ecology. In our lab, we are interested to understand the diversity of bacterial assemblages associated with corals and the processes that shape the structure of the microbial consortia. Furthermore we are also interested to dissect the molecular processes that integrate cnidarian and symbiotic dinoflagellates associations, and how these symbioses are maintained, regulated and responding to environmental challenges