Quorum Sensing Signals Produced by Heterotrophic Bacteria in Black Band Disease (BBD) of Corals and Their Potential Role in BBD Pathogenesis

Abstract

Thank you to my lab mates Abigael Brownell, Zoe Pratte, Beth Zimmer for their help with sample collection and research assistance and a special mention to Patty Waikel for being a wonderful lab-mate and friend. To all the people who additionally helped with coral and sample collection, Cindy Lewis, Tanya Brown, Anthony Bellantuono, thank you. I am grateful to my friends in Miami who became family over the years, including my roommates, Aparajita Singh, Kavita Marapakala, Saobiya Khan, Samantha Sree, my friends Syed Khalid Pasha, Priyanka Alluri, Kevin Luongo, Mukesh Ramalingam for making every day cares seem smaller because of their company. I am infinitely thankful to my parents Dr. Dilip Bhedi and Dr. Alka Bhedi, my grandparents, Mr. Dattatray Pathak and Dr. Damayanti Pathak and my brother Pranav Bhedi, for inspiring and encouraging me throughout my life and for being my pillars of support. I am eternally grateful to my greatest source of inspiration and strength, my mother, for always believing in me and making me who I am today. A big thank you to my second set of parents, Mr. Chandrashekhar Gadre and Mrs. Shunbhangi Gadre, for v being so supportive, thoughtful, and caring. A special mention to Tanuja Gadre for helping me through some challenging times during this journey. The ultimate thanks to my husband, Mayuresh Gadre, for his companionship through the brightest and dimmest moments on this path, and for his never-ending love, support, patience, encouragement, and care.