The recently discovered Zorya system provides direct defense from bacteriophage infection (Hu*, Popp* et al. 2024). This project aims to study the underlying molecular mechanisms how the Zorya type I system in E. coli detects and counteracts phage infections. Specifically, we will investigate the roles of membrane proteins ZorAB, homologous to bacterial flagellar stators, and cytoplasmic effectors ZorCD using mutagenesis, functional assays, and advanced microscopy techniques. We aim to determine how phage infection triggers Zorya activation, how its components localize to infection sites, and whether these mechanisms are conserved across Zorya subtypes. Overall, this project will provide critical insights into bacterial immune strategies against phages, advancing our understanding of molecular defense mechanisms and potentially uncovering new principles of phage resistance.