Project title: Deciphering the mechanisms of polymicrobial infections using Drosophila melanogaster as a model

The Iatsenko lab utilizes the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic model to investigate conserved host defense mechanisms, pathogen virulence factors that mediate immune evasion, and the role of microbiota in infection outcomes. Our primary focus lies in unravelling the pathogenesis of polymicrobial infections. While the recognition of the polymicrobial nature of infections is growing, the prevalence, microbial composition, and impact of such infections on natural Drosophila populations remain unknown. Therefore, our project aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. Estimate the prevalence and microbial composition of polymicrobial infections in natural Drosophila populations.
2. Investigate the effects of isolated polymicrobial communities versus individual microbes on the host.
3. Decipher the mechanisms that govern inter-microbial interactions during selected polymicrobial infections.

Please apply via online application portal here:

https://www.mpiib-berlin.mpg.de/2111045/how-to-apply