"Photorhabdus and in the insect's blood The bacteria kill the insect larvae and convert the corpse into a food source suitable for the growth and development of the nematodes. After several reproduction cycles, the nematodes are recolonized by the bacteria before emerging from the insect corpse in the terrain to search for a new host. “Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus bacteria thus engage in both pathogenic and mutualistic interactions with diverse invertebrate hosts as obligate components of their life cycle.” (Goodrich-Blair and Clarke) If none of this made sense to you, then you are on the right track. This article provides a simple yet comprehensive understanding of the research taking place in the laboratory of a scientist named Dr. Patricia Stock. Its aim is to study the symbiotic relationship between nematodes and the bacteria they host, further developing ideas about their mutualism, pathogenesis and evolutionary biology. At first glance, his research may seem irrelevant to the modern world. You might ask yourself: What does the relationship between a parasitic roundworm and the bacteria inside it have to do with my life? Truth be told, it potentially has a lot to do with preserving your life. Their report “will shed further light on the fundamental mechanisms that control interactions, and their outcomes, between bacteria and their hosts.” (Goodrich-Blair and Clarke) Bacteria alone release chemical compounds with the potential to produce prescription d...... middle of paper...... further research and development, but the necessary tools were in short supply. Patricia Stock's particular area of ​​study does not include biochemical investigation of their composition to discover their chemical usefulness or cure for cancer or anything like that. Its purpose is simply to research and study reciprocity between bacteria and their nematode hosts to better understand their evolutionary biology and pathogenesis. Although he regularly passes his findings on to other scientists more interested in making use of their chemical composition, Dr. Stock's passion remains in the biology of these overlooked but fascinating organisms. Sources Goodrich-Blair, Heidi and Clarke, David J. (2007) Mutualism and pathogenesis in Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus: two roads to the same destination. Molecular microbiology 64 (2): 264-268