| Περίληψη: | <p>Defensive microbes readily influence hosts and their microbiome. And, since hosts and their microbiome are not disparate but comprise an integrated hostmicrobiome system, it follows that defensive microbes should alter the system as a whole. Nonetheless, direct evidence on how defensive microbes influence hostmicrobiome systems is lacking. Using <em>C. elegans</em> and their natural microbiome as a model host-microbiome system and an experimentally evolved defensive <em>E. faecalis</em> strain, I integrated host RNA sequencing, microbiome 16S rRNA sequencing, and phenotypic assays to show effects of a defensive microbe on its host-microbiome system. My results indicate that a defensive microbe can substantially alter its host transcriptome while influencing little change on its host’s microbiome. Additionally, that a defensive microbe can colonize better than its non-defensive counterparts and maintain protective effects even amongst a natural microbiome. This thesis reveals some outcomes and utility of defensive microbes that can be translated to both natural and applied contexts. Additionally, this thesis promotes experimental evolution as a key tool in investigating evolutionary and ecological outcomes of symbiosis.</p>
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