Generating Germ-Free Drosophila to Study Gut-Microbe Interactions: Protocol to Rear Drosophila Under Axenic Conditions.

Generating Germ-Free Drosophila to Study Gut-Microbe Interactions: Protocol to Rear Drosophila Under Axenic Conditions.
Curr Protoc Toxicol. 2018 Jun 22;:e52
Authors: Kietz C, Pollari V, Meinander A
Abstract
As several diseases have been linked to dysbiosis of the human intestinal microflora, manipulation of the microbiota has emerged as an exciting new strategy for potentially treating and preventing diseases. However, the human microbiota consists of a plethora of different species, and distinguishing the impact of a specific bacterial species on human health is challenging. In tackling this challenge, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, with its far simpler microbial composition, has emerged as a powerful model for unraveling host-microbe interactions. To study the interplay between the resident commensal microbiome and the host, flies can be made germ-free, or axenic. To elucidate the impact of specific bacteria, axenic flies can then be re-introduced to specific microbial species. In this unit, we provide a step-by-step protocol on how to rear Drosophila melanogaster under axenic conditions and confirm the axenity of flies. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
PMID: 29933523 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Protocols in Toxicology - June 24, 2018 Category: Toxicology Tags: Curr Protoc Toxicol Source Type: research