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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

Emmanuele Severi @emmseveri.bsky.social · 22h

QUESTION: anyone knows of a published example of a gene/operon which is toxic in Pseudomonas aeruginosa if in high copy plasmids, but ok in low copy? Got plenty of examples of my own for E. coli (esp of membrane protein genes), but struggling to find for Pae… Cheers!

#microsky #synbio

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

Roey Angel @roeyangel.bsky.social · 23h

📣 New PhD student position opening in my lab!
Soils are full of microbes, but how many are active?
Surprisingly, we still lack reliable methods to answer this.
If you are interested in microbial dormancy and are fascinated by the Alps and glacier forefields, contact me.
🏔️ 🦠 💤 🧬 🎓

The team at our research site in the alps

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

Mark Peifer (He, him) @peiferlabunc.bsky.social · 1d

I'm very excited to announce that UNC Biology has 6 faculty positions open this year! The first is for an Asst Professor who studies organismal resilience using an integrative approach 1/n
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...

Poster with QR code linking to the position

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

International Microbiology Literacy Initiative - IMiLI @imili-micro.bsky.social · 20d

Welcome to the social media account of the International Microbiology Literacy Initiative (IMiLI). Nearly 1,000 researchers freely contribute to the IMiLI project integrating microbiology into education providing downloadable resources for all. Explore at imili.org

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

kentimmis.bsky.social @kentimmis.bsky.social · 2d

Super, wide-ranging discussion of microbiology teaching needs in secondary education by the brilliant Lara Amorim: 10.1111/1751-7915.70224.

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

Carmen S. Cañizares @carmen-agro.bsky.social · 3d

What a privilege attending yesterday the 30th Norman Heatley lecture hosted by @dunnschool.bsky.social to listen in person to my favourite scientist and role model Bonnie Bassler talking about the wonders of #quorumsensing, the topic I started working on as a PhD student and future microbiologist!

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

International Microbiology Literacy Initiative - IMiLI @imili-micro.bsky.social · 3d

Because microbes are largely invisible 🧫 🦠 , most people remain unaware of them and the opportunities they offer for solving global problems. This knowledge gap (microbiology illiteracy) leads to poor or harmful decisions. IMILI aims to help close key gaps. Follow for updates.

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

Victor de Lorenzo (CNB, Madrid) @vdlorenzo.bsky.social · 4d

The conversation on EMERs (= Engineered Microorganisms for Environmental Release) continues at this side of the pond, this time focusing on live bioremediaton agents 👇

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

Cascales Lab @cascaleslab.bsky.social · 4d

Open position to work on Type IX secretion (#T9SS) in our lab, in collaboration withe the group of Eric Reynolds at the Dental School of the University of Melbourne. Please spread the word, and forward to anyone potentially interested ! Apply here:
emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Docto...

Portail Emploi CNRS - Offre d'emploi - Thèse en Microbiologie-Biochimie (H/F)

emploi.cnrs.fr

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

Our paper, describing how the T6SSs of P. putida shape the tomato rhizosphere, is now in its final format in @isme-microbes.bsky.social ISME Communications. If you'd like to learn more, here is a thread (1/11) or read the Article doi.org/10.1093/isme....

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

Victor de Lorenzo (CNB, Madrid) @vdlorenzo.bsky.social · 6d

Université Grenoble Alpes opens a full professorship in microbiology in 2026. The selected candidate will develop their research program on quantitative approaches in microbiology in the Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique. More info: liphy.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/en/join-us/r...

Professorship (tenure) in 'Quantitative approaches in microbiology' (CNU Sections 64/65) | LIPhy - Université Grenoble Alpes

liphy.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · 6d

🚀 Thrilled to share our new Nature Communications article:
“A blueprint for designing the next-generation of synthetic C1 microbes”
We propose a framework to unlock sustainable, carbon-efficient biomanufacturing using non-canonical hosts.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41... A short 🧵1/4

A blueprint for designing the next-generation of synthetic C1 microbes - Nature Communications

Synthetic one-carbon assimilation could contribute to a more sustainable and circular carbon economy, but much work in this field has focused on model microorganisms. Here the authors provide their perspective on the potential value of non-model microbes, and how that potential could be realised.

www.nature.com

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

Our research places the T6SS as a critical factor driving the evolution of complex polymicrobial communities within the plant rhizosphere, providing valuable insights for agricultural applications involving beneficial microbes and plant health management strategies. (11/11)

Validate User

doi.org

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

In conclusion, we have shown that the T6SSs are essential for competitive rhizosphere colonisation. The wildtype P. putida strain significantly alters the bacterial community structure compared to T6SS mutants. (10/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

The K1-T6SS specifically affects taxa such as Rhizobiaceae while the K2/K3-T6SSs exclusively affect other groups like Azospirillaceae.
The systems impact a wide phylogenetic range, modulating the abundance of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in the rhizosphere. (9/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

The presence of wildtype P. putida strain significantly alters the community structure (beta-diversity) of the resident microbial community when compared to T6SS mutants. Our analysis reveals that the different T6SS clusters show specificity, demonstrating a flexible competitive strategy. (8/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

This substantial decrease underscores the critical role of the T6SSs in persistence within this highly competitive environment, enabling P. putida to successfully establish and outcompete other microbial inhabitants. (7/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

We found that these secretion systems are key for effective rhizosphere colonisation. When tomato plants were inoculated with T6SS-deficient mutant strains, there was a significant reduction in bacterial recovery from the rhizosphere compared to the wildtype strain. (6/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

We demonstrate for the first time the functionality of the K2 and/or K3-T6SS clusters. Silent against standard lab strains, they became functional in vitro against plant pathogens and in vivo within the rhizosphere microbiota, suggesting an adaptive response to competitive pressure.(5/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

P. putida KT2440 is equipped with three T6SS clusters: K1, K2, and K3. Previously, only the K1-T6SS was known to be active under laboratory conditions, where it kills severe plant pathogens such as P. syringae and X. campestris. (4/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

Here, we focused on the rhizosphere, the dense, complex microbial community associated with plant roots. While many plant-associated bacteria contain T6SSs, their overall influence on shaping the rhizosphere microbiota remained limited. (3/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

The T6SSs are contractile nanomachines used by Gram-negative bacteria for contact-dependent elimination of competitors through the delivery of toxic effectors. They are considered influential mechanisms driving the evolution of complex polymicrobial communities, like the gut microbiota. (2/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social · 7d

Our paper, describing how the T6SSs of P. putida shape the tomato rhizosphere, is now in its final format in @isme-microbes.bsky.social ISME Communications. If you'd like to learn more, here is a thread (1/11) or read the Article doi.org/10.1093/isme....

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

Gunnar N. Schroeder @gunnarns.bsky.social · 8d

SAVE THE DATE!

The 2026 UK CellularMicrobiologyNetwork meeting will be held 22nd - 23rd of June at @wwiem-qub.bsky.social in Belfast.

Researchers from the UK and beyond are invited to share exciting work on the mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions.

Follow us to stay tuned! www.ukcellmicro.org

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Reposted by Patricia Bernal

Victor de Lorenzo (CNB, Madrid) @vdlorenzo.bsky.social · 9d

Off to @caltechlcssp.bsky.social to follow up the conversation started past Feb in Asilomar on *Biotech Beyond Conventional Containment*. Time to rethink the (now banned) release of Lab-trained microorganisms for extensive environmental remediation in view of new genet technols & urgent global needs

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