Research and Teaching Interests

Alan Decho’s research interests center on attached forms of bacteria, called 'biofilms'. In biofilms, bacteria occur in protected, coordinated groups rather than as individual cells. Biofilms are microscopic (invisible) coatings and are important in health, disease and environmental processes. In health processes, these forms of bacteria commonly occur in/on the human body in many areas. They are important to proper health, but also play central roles in infection, and are also the predominant form of microbial life in natural environments. Dr. Decho currently teaches a graduate-undergraduate course on 'Biofilms in the Environment, Health and Disease.