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Research: George O'Toole studies the complex surface-attached bacterial communities known as biofilms. In natural environments, bacteria are thought to exist predominantly in biofilm communities on surfaces such as the roots of plants and on soils. He is particularly interested in the molecular basis of biofilm development in the genetically amenable soil organism Pseudomonas fluorescens. Genes important for biofilm formation on soil have been identified and are currently a focus of research efforts in his lab. His research includes investigations on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, drug resistance and gene expression.