
Welcome to the Martins' Lab!
Our lab research focuses on investigating the structure and function of bacteria in the phytobiome and their impact on plant health. We are particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying the microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions leading to increased resilience plants against biotic and abiotic stresses.

Go Gators!
From left to right: Samuel, Sameerika, Toi, Michelle, Roshni, Mason, Fabiano



RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Pasche J (G), Sawlani R (U), Buttros VH (V), Desaeger J, Garret K, SJ Martins. (2024). Underground Guardians: How Collagen and Chitin Amendments Shape Soil Microbiome Structure and Function for Meloidogyne enterolobii Control. Microbiome (accepted)
Brito J, Martins SJ, Pasche J(G) et al. (2025). Morphological and molecular characterization of the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spartinae) and assessment of bacterial assemblages in infected smooth cordgrass roots. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek (accepted).
Brum DD, Campos VP, Terra WC, de Paula LL, Taketani RG, Kavamura VN, Martins SJ. (2025). Bacterial composition of Meloidogyne exigua egg masses from Symptomatic and Asymptomatic coffee plants. Phytobiomes Journal. doi:10.1094/PBIOMES-10-24-0099-R
Dissanayaka S (G), Velte JM (g), McDuffee ST (g), Martins CE, Gazis-Seregina R, Martins SJ. A Step-by-Step Approach to Professional Communication and Career Exploration Through Virtual Exchage. NACTA Journal, v. 69, p. 1-4, 2025. doi.org/10.56103/nactaj.v69iTT.271
Velte JM (g), Mudiyanselage SDG (G), Hofmann OF (g), Lee ST, Huguet-Tapia JC, Miranda M, Martins SJ. (2025). Interactions Between Native Soil Microbiome and a Synthetic Microbial Community Reveals Bacteria with Persistent Traits. bioRxiv, doi.org/10.1101/2025.04.08.647796
Ketehouli T (G), Pasche J (G), Buttros V (G), Goss E, Martins SJ. The Underground World of Plant Disease: Rhizosphere Dysbiosis Reduces Aboveground Plant Resistance to Bacterial Leaf Spot and Alters Plant Transcriptome. Environmental Microbiology, 2024, 26(7), e16676. doi:10.1111/1462-2920.16676
Ketehouli T (G), Goss E, Ascunce M, Martins SJ. Metabolic and Physiological Effects of Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis in Citrus. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, v.287, p.1-10, 2024 doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117325
da Silva HAO (V), Abreu LM, Gama MAS, Huguet-Tapia J, Zhanga P, Buttros VH (V), Mukesha J, White F, Martins SJ. Genome Resource for Xanthomonas citri pv. anacardii strain CCRMTAQ13 (Causal Agent of Angular Leaf Spot in Cashew) from Brazil using Long-Read Nanopore Technology, Microbiology Resource Announcements, 2024
0:e00877-24. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.00877-24
Pasche J (G), Caron-Klusendorf C (U), Martins SJ. Seeding Success: The “Plants Get Sick Too!” Workshop Nurtures Teacher Knowledge in Plant Pathology. Plant Health Instructor, 2024, doi.org/10.1094/PHI-O-2023-11-0011
Pasche J (G), Sawlani R (U), Buttros VH (G), Desaeger J, Garret K, Martins SJ. Underground Guardians: How Collagen and Chitin Amendments Shape Soil Microbiome Structure and Function for Meloidogyne enterolobii Control. bioRxiv, 6, 2024, doi:10.1101/2024.06.18.599572
Martins CE, Martins SJ, Risner ME. Beyond borders: Building capacity and enhancing institutional resources for
U.S.-Mexico virtual exchange initiatives. Journal of Virtual Exchange, 7, 40–58, 2024, doi.org/10.21827/jve.7.41464