Erika Pinto, a predoctoral researcher in the Sankari Lab and Stowers Graduate School, studies alfalfa plants and the bacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti. 

“These bacteria enter the roots of the plant and help fix nitrogen,” Pinto explained. “The plant produces around 700 peptides that modify bacterial behavior, but their exact functions remain unknown.”

By studying these peptides, The Sankari Lab hopes to uncover mechanisms that could inspire new antibiotics and sustainable agricultural solutions.

The Sankari Lab investigates how plants manipulate bacteria through host-secreted peptides, offering insights into symbiotic relationships. Their work spans biochemistry, plant biology, and microbial physiology to explore questions like how plants balance nutrient sharing and bacterial control.

Using innovative tools, the team studies peptides’ ability to fine-tune bacterial metabolism, with potential applications in human health, agriculture, and bioremediation. Their work also provides a simplified model for understanding more complex host-microbe systems, like the human microbiome.

“Plants have evolved innovative ways to solve complex problems,” Pinto explains. “By studying their interactions with bacteria, we can uncover insights with far-reaching impacts on health and sustainability.”

Learn more about the Sankari Lab’s research here.