Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1h

It was not a good time for clumsy me! Double gloves, autorads, 32P.

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1h

As I entered a grocery store today, a person I didn’t know said I had a nice smile. I thanked them. I work hard on not frowning. And we live in a world where complements are rare and misunderstood.

a man in a suit and tie is wearing a fedora hat and making a funny face .

ALT: a man in a suit and tie is wearing a fedora hat and making a funny face .

media.tenor.com

3

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1h

So judgmental.

PS: we haven’t had an isotope license in decades.

1 2

Reposted by Mark O. Martin

Puhar Lab @lab-puhar.bsky.social · 10h

Our first effort exploring gut bacteria-extracellular ATP interactions is published! We show that eATP rewires gene expression and physiology in harmless and pathogenic bacteria, impacting production of bioactive metabolites, antimicrobial sensitivity, and virulence. A 🧵
www.cell.com/cell-reports...

Tronnet et al., Cell Rep. 2025 graphical abstract: Extracellular ATP is an environmental cue in bacteria

2 13 22

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 4h

The #Bio350 course T-shirts for the #Micronauts of the last microbiology course I will teach at the University of Puget Sound. 20 years of great students and fun teaching. Art by Lizah van der Aart. @ASMicrobiology @microbetv.bsky.social @univpugetsound @lizahaart.bsky.social

1 7

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 4h

I'm quite grateful. Truly.

1

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 4h

This is the video I would show to my intro bio students when I talked about structure, function, and unusual measuring units. youtu.be/MvK2Y1hv9mY?...

Rob Stone vs. NMSU's Chile Peppers

YouTube video by Aggie2k1

youtu.be

Reposted by Mark O. Martin

Cameron Thrash @jcamthrash.bsky.social · 11h

μGrowthDB: querying, visualizing, and sharing microbial growth curve data www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #jcampubs

4 15

Reposted by Mark O. Martin

ericamhartmann.bsky.social @ericamhartmann.bsky.social · 9h

Beautiful piece about microbes, buildings, and health 🤩
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...

The Probiotic Home

Architects and microbiologists are exploring whether making buildings hospitable to friendly microorganisms can improve human health.

www.nature.com

6 9

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 12h

Sure, I enjoy teaching students about their #WaterBottleBuddies. They aren't bad. the microbes are just there; part of the dense and wondrous microbial universe within and around us. The upper sticker is designed by the great @ethankocak.com The lower sticker is a screencap from SNL.

2

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 12h

I feel Shaq’s pain.

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 12h

There is an Indian restaurant here in town that clearly (1) doesn’t follow my instructions and (2) is slowly increasing my tolerance. The owner is very sweet about it.

a bald man in a blue shirt is eating a piece of fried chicken

ALT: a bald man in a blue shirt is eating a piece of fried chicken

media.tenor.com

1 1

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 12h

Can you imagine just working down the hall from @environmicrobio.bsky.social and @wcratcliff.bsky.social and @symbionticism.bsky.social? So much energy and creativity. I’m lucky to interact with them a bit here. Even if I can’t handle too many Scoville Units.

a man holding a piece of food with the words that 's quite zesty written below him

ALT: a man holding a piece of food with the words that 's quite zesty written below him

media.tenor.com

3 5

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 12h

This semester, I had two students interested in research who became far too busy for research. They are WONDERFUL people and I completely understand. There is one student who has a little time, and I so enjoyed working with them. It's the best type of teaching, and food for my spirit.

a man in a lab coat is sitting in front of a counter

ALT: a man in a lab coat is sitting in front of a counter

media.tenor.com

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

Agreed!

1 2

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

I think we need to push very hard to get @symbionticism.bsky.social on “Hot Ones” to discuss microbiome science while eating progressively hotter wings. @firstwefeast.bsky.social

1 6

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

Here is a blast from the past. Yours truly at UCLA as a sophomore. My parents were unconvinced I would make it! I cannot blame them. I was a mess.

1 3

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

This is a MudWatt—-a microbial fuel cell. Bacteria colonizing the electrodes generate current, which in turn makes the LED flash! #microbiology #MicrobialElectricity @MicrobeTV @univpugetsound @asmicrobiology

2

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

I’m so very sad that there will be no West Coast Bacterial Physiology meeting in Asilomar this year. I have gone for decades and so appreciated the kindness, collegiality, and above all the microbial wonders presented. @ASMicrobiology

www.fullerton.edu/wcbp/

a man with a mustache is sitting on a swing in the park .

ALT: a man with a mustache is sitting on a swing in the park .

media.tenor.com

2

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

The student paper at my university this morning. Mine is not the only institution at which this is happening. I’m sad for all the great students. Maybe retirement was a good idea after all.

2

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

@jennifer.j.quinn makes each day I have better. She truly is my sunshine.

7

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

Lovely day with #BabyCarl the Kenyan Sand Boa. He ate like a champ. These photos were taken the day before the feeding. Carlito is very sweet.

2

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 3d

Friday night #NanoDate with @jennifer.j.quinn at Devils Reef. 5PM seems early, but it is now tradition. @devils_reef

3

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 3d

During my #MattersMicrobial podcast, I chatted with Dr. Petra Levin: an advocate of microbiologists doing microscopy! But my eyes are horrible. Petra described a self focusing microscope that puts the images on a screen. THAT is the kind of thing I need, but I am pretty sure I could never afford.

a cartoon of rick looking through a microscope with the letters [ as ] behind him

ALT: a cartoon of rick looking through a microscope with the letters [ as ] behind him

media.tenor.com

2

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 3d

Sad and worried and feeling low. I’m working on my CBT.

a cartoon of a man pushing a progress bar that says i am a work in progress

ALT: a cartoon of a man pushing a progress bar that says i am a work in progress

media.tenor.com

2