Competition for the key nutrient iron significantly shapes microbial networking. The secretion of Fe³⁺-complexing siderophores, the uptake of heme as alternative iron source and the production of iron storage proteins represent important homeostatic strategies in bacteria. In this project, we will analyse competitive and cooperative strategies for the acquisition of iron and heme in synthetic microbial communities involving prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial model organisms. Tailored microfluidic cultivation devices mimicking structured environments and the application of optogenetic switches and in vivo biosensors will enable us to determine the spatial and temporal dynamics of interspecies networking in the microbial race for iron.