Keeping the peace at the mucosal surface. How does host immunity control bad bugs?

From birth, organisms are colonized by microbial species, primarily beneficial bacteria that aid digestion and prevent pathogen colonization. The immune system develops to differentiate between beneficial microbes and potential threats, controlling the microbiota by eliminating pathogens. Research shows that some pathogenic species (pathobionts) can persist in the gut and are actively repressed by the immune system, a mechanism conserved across vertebrates. The project will investigate how the immune system manage pathobiont levels in zebrafish. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to novel treatments that harness the body’s natural defenses rather than relying on antibiotics.