Microbial symbioses in dynamic environments: Metabolic interplay and novel interactions (MAINTAIN)

Microbes are commonly perceived as purely harmful, disease-causing life forms. Although some microbes can cause disease, the vast majority of the microbes that live on and in us or are in fact beneficial. Microbes carry out a range of essential functions, contributing to the health and development of virtually every plant, animal, and single-celled organism on this planet. These symbiotic relationships range from partnerships between two organisms to associations of one host with a complex community of microbes (termed microbiome). We are only beginning to understand how these symbiotic relationships evolved and function, and how they are maintained in an ever-changing environment. Yet, a better understanding of host-microbe-environment interactions and of the importance of microbes for animals, plants and humans is a crucial aspect of the scientific basis required to tackle global and environmental health challenges. The doctoral program Microbial symbioses in dynamic environments: Metabolic interplay and novel interactions (MAINTAIN) builds upon an internationally recognized research focus on symbiosis at the University of Vienna, and is integrated into the up-and-running doctoral program. Our aim is to establish an interdisciplinary and international program with a focus on scientific and educational excellence. We can offer the best PhD candidates with unmatched opportunities in a world-class research environment. A number of measures will ensure the quality of the MAINTAIN doctoral program. Firstly, we will apply a rigorous two-stage selection procedure. Secondly, our interdisciplinary and international curriculum will provide PhD candidates with ample opportunities to connect with established labs and senior researchers, and with extensive training in scientific and transferable skills. Finally, we have a comprehensive supervision and evaluation strategy in place to ensure effective communication among faculty and students. The central theme of the MAINTAIN doctoral program is studying how partners in a symbiosis interact in the face of environmental changes with respect to exchange of nutrients and other compounds, which often drives these relationships. By addressing related research question using a range of different microbial symbioses including mice and humans, but also protists, nematodes and mussels, our students will graduate from this program with a uniquely broad understanding of host-microbe research. The research program is structured into 14 projects, headed by an internationally recognized team of experts in microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics and analytical chemistry. The interdisciplinary education offered by the MAINTAIN doctoral program, and its focus on an emerging field in the life sciences will ensure that our PhD candidates graduate with excellent qualifications that will provide them with the ideal start to a successful scientific career.

The doc.funds project 'Microbial symbioses in dynamic environments: Metabolic interplay and novel interactions (MAINTAIN)', conducted at the University of Vienna from October 2019 to September 2024, aimed to create a focused and stimulating research and training environment for PhD students in microbiome science. The project successfully supported 30 PhD students, significantly contributing to the advancement of this research field and the academic landscape at the University of Vienna. Microbes are commonly perceived as purely harmful, disease-causing life forms. Although some microbes can cause disease, the vast majority of the microbes that live on and in us are in fact beneficial. Microbes carry out a range of essential functions, contributing to the health and development of virtually every plant, animal, and single-celled organism on this planet. These symbiotic relationships range from partnerships between two organisms to associations of one host with a complex community of microbes (termed microbiome). We are only beginning to understand how these symbiotic relationships evolved and function, and how they are maintained in an ever-changing environment. Yet, a better understanding of host-microbe-environment interactions and of the importance of microbes for animals, plants and humans is a crucial aspect of the scientific basis required to tackle global and environmental health challenges. PhD students in the MAINTAIN program contributed exciting new discoveries in diverse projects ranging from the evolutionary connection between bacterial symbionts in protists and pathogens of humans, to the role of chemosynthetic symbioses in marine environments, the tripartite interaction between fungi, plants, and ants, and the effect of prebiotics on the gut microbiome, among many others. MAINTAIN students completed 13 PhD theses and 44 publications so far, showcasing the outstanding research output of the project. The program also emphasized community building and international networking, organizing over 80 seminars, workshops, retreats, and conference participations. One of the most significant impacts of the MAINTAIN project was its influence on PhD education in microbiome science. The structure, recruiting procedures, support, networking, and evaluation practices of the MAINTAIN PhD program served as a blueprint for the establishment of the Vienna Doctoral School in Microbiology and Environmental Science (VDS-MES) at the University of Vienna in late 2020. Today, VDS-MES includes over 90 PhD students and a faculty of 34, demonstrating the lasting legacy of the MAINTAIN project.