Mālama i ke kai, a mālama ke kai ia ‘oe
“Care for the ocean, and the ocean will care for you”
The Ushijima Lab
We are a microbiology laboratory that works on exploratory and applied projects focused on the host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions contributing to the health of marine invertebrates.
Our research focuses on the molecular and genetic basis for infections by bacterial pathogens and host protection by beneficial microbes (e.g. probiotics). By understanding the pathogenic and beneficial bacteria associated with marine invertebrates, we can then develop new technologies to improve the health of environments like coral reefs.