This study identifies Monalysin, a pore-forming toxin from Pseudomonas entomophila, as a factor that suppresses defecation in infected Drosophila females.

PLoS Pathogens · Oct 8, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Sex Differences in Drosophila Intestinal Metabolism Contribute to Sexually Dimorphic Infection Outcome and Alter Gut Pathogen Virulence

Marko Rubinić, Yi Yu, Aranzazu Arias-Rojas, Kaisy A Martinez, Wioletta Klimek, Dagmar Frahm, Volker Brinkmann, Nicole Paczia, Kathirvel Alagesan, David Duneau, Igor Iatsenko

This study shows sex differences in Drosophila intestinal metabolism affect infection outcomes, with males clearing pathogens via antioxidant pathways while females experience higher pathogen virulence.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Jun 24, 2026Peer-reviewedImmunology

Microbiota-induced fatty acid synthesis facilitates intestinal infection and immune-mediated damage in Drosophila

Yi Yu, Kathirvel Alagesan, Dagmar Frahm, Emmanuelle Charpentier, Igor Iatsenko

This study shows that gut microbiota, specifically Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, enhances fatty acid synthesis in Drosophila, promoting pathogen virulence and immune-mediated damage.

bioRxiv · Apr 15, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology

Sex Bias in Iron Sequestration by Transferrin 1 Modulates Sexually-Dimorphic Infection Outcomes in Drosophila melanogaster

Alexandra Hrdina, Igor Iatsenko

This study shows that sex differences in iron sequestration via Transferrin 1 affect infection outcomes in Drosophila, with males being more resistant to Providencia alcalifaciens.

Genetics · Mar 2, 2026Peer-reviewedImmunology

A novel enteric pacemaker activity in Drosophila

Niccolò Paolo Pampaloni, Isabella S Balles, Paula Düllmann, Niclas Gimber, Eric Reynolds, Anatoli Ender, Jan Schmoranzer, Igor Iatsenko, David Owald

The paper identifies a novel pacemaker activity in Drosophila midgut called superstalsis, linked to specific muscle activation and gene expression under physiological conditions.

bioRxiv · Dec 4, 2025 · PreprintPhysiology

Infection-Induced Elevation of Gut Glycosaminoglycans Fosters Microbiota Expansion in Drosophila melanogaster

Aranzazu Arias-Rojas, Marko Rubinić, Jasmin Albiez, Dagmar Frahm, ROBERT M. HURWITZ, Igor Iatsenko

This study identifies host genetic variants linked to Lactiplantibacillus plantarum abundance in Drosophila melanogaster and shows heparan sulfate synthesis promotes microbiota expansion and intestinal defense during infection.

Cell Reports · Nov 21, 2025Peer-reviewedMicrobiology

Colonization, translocation, and evolution of opportunistic pathogens during healthcare-associated infections

Martin Fenk, Alexandra Hrdina, James B. Winans, Meike Soerensen, Laura Ostertag, Elina Coquery, Fatoumata Ba Sow, Sirak Petros, Cătălina Suzana Stîngu, Norman Lippmann, Carey D. Nadell, Igor Iatsenko, Bastian Pasieka, Felix M. Key

The paper tracks the colonization and evolution of opportunistic pathogens in critically ill patients, identifying a mutation linked to healthcare-associated infections.

bioRxiv · Oct 23, 2025 · PreprintMicrobiology