263A Poster - 02. Immunity and the microbiome
Thursday April 07, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Authors:
Caroline Massey; John Chaston; Maggie Johnson

Affiliation: Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah

Keywords:
m. microbiome; m. adaptation

The microorganisms within a host, commonly referred to as the microbiota, play an important role in the development of an organism and their life history traits, including fecundity and lifespan. In the model organism Drosophila melanogaster host genotype can significantly alter the microbiota composition, meaning that host genotype can determine at least in part which microorganisms are present and how abundant they are. What is not fully understood are the mechanisms by which host genotype selects the microbiota composition. In this work, I seek to better understand how the genetic feeding preferences of D. melanogaster help determine host microbiota composition. I have been using an assay where I will measure the variation in the microbiota composition of different fly populations when they are given a choice of different microbes in their diet; or when no choice is provided. This work will contribute to our understanding of how host genotype influences the microbiota variation observed between genetically distinct organisms.