apreston243.bsky.social

Cas9 modulates Campylobacter jejuni virulence traits inside intestinal epithelial cells The CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) produced by disease-associated strains of Campylobacter jejuni contributes to full virulence, including immune evasion and bacterial survival inside eukaryotic c...

New paper alert! Campylobacter jejuni Cas9 affects an intriguing array of traits, including intracellular survival. @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Eliminating the type I restriction endonuclease from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 for optimized phage isolation Phage therapy is a promising treatment for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Due to their high host specificity, phages must be matched to the target clinical strains. Efficiently identifying ...

New paper alert! Elimination of restriction endonuclease activity produces the very useful tool of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain that enables propagation and purification of a wide range of phage. @microbiologysociety.org @btemperton.bsky.social www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Identification and functional analysis of two oligopeptide transporters supporting the growth of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota in milk Oligopeptide transporters are important proteins in several lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that facilitate the transport of oligopeptides, the primary nitrogen source for growth in milk. Although the prot...

New paper alert! Oligopeptide transporters are used for nitrogen acquisition during growth in milk of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain Shirota. Also identifies the individual oligopeptide binding proteins involved. @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Interpretation guidance for MHRA regulatory considerations for phage therapeutic products On 4 June 2025, the MHRA published ‘Regulatory considerations for therapeutic use of bacteriophages in the UK’. This was in response to recommendations made by the House of Commons Science, Innovation...

New paper alert! Guidance and perspectives on regulatory considerations for approval of phage therapies. @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Microbial Primer: Artificial intelligence for microbiologists Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are reshaping microbiology, enabling rapid antibiotic discovery, resistance prediction and clinical diagnostics. For microbiologists, the goal is...

New primer alert! Fantastic insight into how to apply machine learning and AI in microbiology. A must read. @microbiologysociety.org @delafuentelab.bsky.social www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Mutations in the Esx-3 secretion system confer resistance to multiple chemical scaffolds in Mycobacterium tuberculosis We determined the mechanism of resistance to seven chemical series with potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Resistant mutants were isolated against the aminothiazoles, phenylhydrazones...

New paper alert! Mutations in Mtb Esx-3 result in resistance to a broad range of anti-Tb compounds. @microbiologysociety.org @proftanya13.bsky.social www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Conflicts between the DNA replication and repair machineries promote cell death in Gram-positive bacteria Cellular proliferation relies on the successful coordination and completion of genome replication and segregation. To help achieve this, many bacteria utilize regulatory pathways that ensure DNA repli...

New paper alert! DNA replication and repair conflicts lead to cell death in gram positive bacteria, possible new targets for novel antimicrobials.
@microbiologysociety.org @winterhalterlab.bsky.social www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Microbe Profile: Streptomyces formicae KY5: an ANT-ibiotic factory Streptomyces formicae KY5 was isolated from a Tetraponera penzigi plant-ant nest. It is primarily known for its production of the formicamycins, antibiotics with potent activity against Gram-positive ...

New profile alert! Microbial profile: Streptomyces formicae KY5, all you need to know about this formicamycin producing machine. @microbiologysociety.org @matthutchings.bsky.social www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Seaweed exposure modulates Escherichia coli plasmid conjugation rate Seaweeds are a common and diverse component of coastal ecosystems and are known to be associated with Escherichia coli due to faecal pollution. As a biotic substrate, beach-cast seaweed may affect bac...

New paper alert! Seaweeds affect plasmid conjugation rates. Insight into the effect of biotic factors on HGT. @microbiologysociety.org
@davvi36.bsky.social www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

A commentary on the 2025 Annual Conference (Liverpool) Session ‘Beyond the lab – Turning your research into reality’ A session at the annual conference of the Microbiology Society 2025 (Liverpool) was held on gaining impact from basic and applied research, ‘Beyond the lab – Turning your research into reality’. This ...

New paper alert! Commentary on the Micro Soc annual conference 'Beyond the lab' symposium. The role of policy and regulation on translational research. @microbiologysociety.org @nicholden.bsky.social @drgvank.bsky.social www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Antiparasitic effect of peptoids against Cryptosporidium parvum Cryptosporidiosis, caused by Cryptosporidium parvum, poses significant health risks, particularly for children and immunocompromised individuals. Current treatments are ineffective in these vulnerable...

New paper alert! Exploring the anti-cryptospiroidal activities of peptoids, urgently needed new drug discovery.
@microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Two putative Enterococcus faecalis fabG genes do not encode β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein reductases Enterococcus faecalis encodes three putative Escherichia coli β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductases (FabG). The fabG1 gene is located within the operon that encodes most of the fatty acid s...

New paper alert! Enterococcus faecalis FabG1 is the only β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase, even though it encodes two other homologues. @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Increase in lipid portion of Phycomyces blakesleeanus biomass induced by vanadate uptake and accumulation Fungi are ubiquitous micro-organisms involved in various environmental processes, with a particularly important role in the transformation of metals and minerals, bioremediation and biomining. Filamen...

New paper alert. Vanadate sequestration by Phycomyces blakesleeanus is accompanied by an increase in cellular lipid content. @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

The EMBL PhD programme is open until 13th October (entry ~Sep 2026):
www.embl.org/about/info/e...

We have three positions in microbial genomics at EMBL-EBI, including one in my group. Please do apply, or if you know anyone that would be interested pass on to them

The interaction between IL-17 and gut microbiota contributes to cholestatic liver disease in children The pathogenesis of cholestatic liver disease (CLD) is unknown, but the influence of gut microbiota and inflammation cannot be ignored. In this study, we attempted to provide theoretical insights for ...

New paper alert! Changes to gut microbiome profiles associate with inflammatory markers in children with cholestatic liver disease. Is dysbiosis driving the pathology? @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Common food preservatives induce an oxidative stress response in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium Despite their frequent use, the mechanisms of action of common food preservatives are poorly understood. As there is a drive to develop alternative preservatives, understanding the mechanisms of actio...

New paper alert! Another good read from @webberma.bsky.social. Different food preservatives induce similar responses in Salmonella typhimurium, including oxidative stress responses. @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Cyclic-di-GMP signalling mutants drive ecological succession and self-generated diversity in experimentally evolved biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms represent a discrete form of microbial life which are physiologically distinct from free-living planktonic cells. The altered phenotypic manifestations of the biofilm may also elicit lifestyl...

New paper alert! Serial selection for hyper-biofilm production identifies c-di-GMP as central to genetic control and phenotypic dynamics. @microbiologysociety.org @webberma.bsky.social www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Investigating pathogenicity in zoonotic Streptococcus suis at University of Cambridge on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - Investigating pathogenicity in zoonotic Streptococcus suis at University of Cambridge, listed on FindAPhD.com

www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

Microbial Primer: Biosurfactants – the ABCs of microbial surface-active metabolites Microbial surfactants (biosurfactants) are low-molecular-weight amphiphilic secondary metabolites synthesized by a wide range of micro-organisms, including bacteria, yeasts and fungi. These compounds ...

New Primer alert! And now with the correct link, apologies @dezieleric.bsky.social! Microbial Primer on the essentials of biosurfactants. @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

I think I'd prefer a rejection in seconds compared to one in months from people who clearly haven't read it.

Role of AprA and pyocyanin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Staphylococcus aureus tolerance to silver The opportunistic pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are often found together causing persistent infections where they exhibit complex interactions that affect their virulence ...

New paper alert! Complex interactions between Pseudomona aeruginosa and Staph aureus involved in tolerance to silver of Staph. @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Assistant Professor (Research and Education) in Bacterial Genomics at University of Birmingham Apply now for the Assistant Professor (Research and Education) in Bacterial Genomics role on jobs.ac.uk - the leading job board for higher education jobs. View details.

We have a position for an Assist Prof in Microbial Genomics in our School of III.

Hod Joan Geoghegan will be happy to field questions if you are interested. No specific area of microbial genomics preferred so please do consider it

www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOO184/a...

Enterococcus faecalis requires unsaturated fatty acids to overcome toxicity of environmental saturated fatty acids Enterococcus faecalis synthesizes phospholipids from either de novo synthesized or exogenous fatty acids. However, environmental saturated fatty acids are toxic to E. faecalis. The mechanism of toxici...

New paper alert! Nice insight into the basis for the toxicity of environmental saturated fatty acids towards Enterococcus faecalis. @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Phosphate sensing by PhoPR regulates the cytotoxicity of Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus aureus has evolved a complex regulatory network to coordinate expression of virulence factors, including cytolytic toxins, with host environmental signals. Central to this network are t...

New paper alert! Novel insight into regulation of Staph aureus toxicity by phosphate via PhoPR, including a role for the unphosphorylated response regulator. @microbiologysociety.org @masseylab.bsky.social www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Fantastic PhD project available (I'm biased obviously) with me and the wonderful Stefano Pagliara at Exeter and @jodymmason.bsky.social at Bath. Bioinformatics, metabolic modelling, single cell imaging and new antibiotics. Who could want more? Apply now! gw4biomed.ac.uk/bacterial-hu...

Fluconazole resistance and CDR1 expression in Candida albicans mediated by the hyperactive Tac1-5 transcriptional activator requires Tlo proteins Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen associated with superficial and systemic infections in humans. Azole antifungal resistance in C. albicans is of clinical concern, and both oral and...

New paper alert! Selective TLO gene families are required for expression of Tac-1 mediated fluconazole resistance in Candida albicans. Towards understanding drug resistance in this important pathogen. @microbiologysociety.org @gazmoran.bsky.social www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Fantastic PhD project available (I'm biased obviously) with me and the wonderful @PagliaraExeter and @JodyMMason. Bioinformatics, metabolic modelling, single cell imaging and new antibiotics. Who could want more? Apply now! gw4biomed.ac.uk/bacterial-hu...

Assessing the effect of temperature on Rhodococcus metabolite production Rare actinomycetes are increasingly recognised as a valuable yet underexplored source of bioactive compounds with significant biomedical potential. While it is well established that bacteria have evol...

New paper alert. Insight into metabolic shifts in response to temperature in marine strains of Rhodococcus. Implications for mining the biochemistry of rare Actinomycetes. @microbiologysociety.org @kateduncan.bsky.social www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Type VI secretion system activity at lethal antibiotic concentrations leads to overestimation of weapon potency Competition assays are a mainstay of modern microbiology, offering a simple and cost-effective means to quantify microbe–microbe interactions in vitro. Here, we demonstrate a key weakness of this meth...

New paper alert! Toxins can skew the results of competition assays, fascinating short communication from @prokaryota.bsky.social and @willpjsmith.bsky.social. @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

Bacteriophage resistance evolution in a honey bee pathogen Honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae are susceptible to the bacterial pathogen Paenibacillus larvae, which causes severe damage to bee colonies. Antibiotic treatment requires veterinary supervision in th...

New paper alert! Resistance to phage in Paenibacillus larvae comes at a cost. Important consideration for developing phage therapy to tackle foul brood. @microbiologysociety.org www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...