The San Pedro River and surrounding areas is a biodiverse area with convergence of four major deserts and the presence of mountain ranges scattered throughout the semi-arid landscape called “sky islands.” With this diversity, it creates a diverse microbiome (microorganisms living together in an environment). In this study, we look if there is a difference in the microbiome between seasons and variety of locations within the San Pedro area using nucleic acid sequencing.

Environmental effects can have an impact on microbe’s ability to produce antimicrobials. These environmental effects such as heat, cold, acids, salts, etc. will be simulated in lab to see whether there is an effect on antimicrobial producing bacteria. If there is not an effect, we will test the generational time it takes for the bacteria to no longer produce their antimicrobials under these stresses.