Department of Biology
Department of Biology
Jessaymn (Jessie) Perlmutter

Jessamyn (Jessie) Perlmutter

Assistant Professor of Biology
jessie.perlmutter@virginia.edu

Office: PLSB 206

Education

B.S., University of Rochester, 2014
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 2020
Postdoc, University of Kansas, 2020-2025

Research Interests

The Perlmutter lab broadly researches the genetics and mechanisms of host-microbe interactions with a primary focus on microbes in Drosophila. The bulk of my research deals with Wolbachia, a bacterial symbiont that is found in over half of all arthropod species. This bacteria is infamous for its abilities to both manipulate host reproduction in some circumstances, and to protect the host from microbial pathogens in others. Additional work focuses on genetics of host immunity or microbe-microbe interactions within fly hosts. Current major research arms in the lab include:

  1. Wolbachia-mediated protection of hosts from fungal pathogens. My postdoctoral research established that Wolbachia of D. melanogaster are able to increase the longevity of flies infected with a variety of fungal pathogens. Supported by an NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award, we are digging further into this phenotype to determine how Wolbachia are able to protect hosts from fungi, both genetically and mechanistically, and what the practical applications may be.

  2. Genetic basis of transition from parasitism to mutualism. My postdoctoral research also identified a potential developing mutualism in Wolbachia of D. bifasciata flies. This strain both harms male hosts (male killing phenotype), and also has an unusual characteristic where it is crucial for female fertility (potential mutualism). Ongoing work is focused on identifying the specific basis of this, as it may represent a rare case of symbiotic transition.

  3. Genetics and mechanism of male killing. Some strains of Wolbachia are called reproductive parasites, named for their ability to manipulate host reproduction in ways that benefit the spread of the microbe. One form of this is called "male killing" where infected males are killed, while females survive. My graduate work identified a candidate male killing gene in Wolbachia of Drosophila hosts. We are now focusing on identifying the host genes and mechanism underlying this phenotype.