Harmit Singh Malik
@harmitmalik.bsky.social
Study genetic conflicts professionally. Try to avoid conflicts in personal life (with mixed results).
Fred Hutch Basic Sciences,
UW Genome Sciences,
HHMI.
Posting in a personal capacity. My posts don’t reflect my employers’ opinions.
Fred Hutch Basic Sciences,
UW Genome Sciences,
HHMI.
Posting in a personal capacity. My posts don’t reflect my employers’ opinions.
Pinned
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
ICYMI, this new preprint is just awesome.
"Here, we show that O-antigen–dependent trade-offs between pathogenicity and interbacterial competition have persisted for over two centuries in natural P. viridiflava populations."
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
"Here, we show that O-antigen–dependent trade-offs between pathogenicity and interbacterial competition have persisted for over two centuries in natural P. viridiflava populations."
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Persistent trade-offs balance competition and colonization across centuries
Microbial competition drives rapid adaptation, often forcing organisms to specialize in new ecological niches. Adaptations that improve competitive ability can reduce performance in other environments...
www.biorxiv.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:24 PM
ICYMI, this new preprint is just awesome.
"Here, we show that O-antigen–dependent trade-offs between pathogenicity and interbacterial competition have persisted for over two centuries in natural P. viridiflava populations."
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
"Here, we show that O-antigen–dependent trade-offs between pathogenicity and interbacterial competition have persisted for over two centuries in natural P. viridiflava populations."
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@officialgrammarly.bsky.social informs me that I was more productive than 99% of Grammarly users last week.
I take great solace in the fact that most other users had their shit together so they did not have to work and write tenure and reference letters and paper drafts over Thanksgiving break.
I take great solace in the fact that most other users had their shit together so they did not have to work and write tenure and reference letters and paper drafts over Thanksgiving break.
December 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
@officialgrammarly.bsky.social informs me that I was more productive than 99% of Grammarly users last week.
I take great solace in the fact that most other users had their shit together so they did not have to work and write tenure and reference letters and paper drafts over Thanksgiving break.
I take great solace in the fact that most other users had their shit together so they did not have to work and write tenure and reference letters and paper drafts over Thanksgiving break.
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
The flat-earthing of biomedicine continues.
This science-free sh*t is deadly.
We all knew RFK Jr + MAHA was gonna be bad, but Holy Dark Age Batman....
RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers plan biggest change yet to childhood schedule wapo.st/3XrsKoD cc @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social @pauloffit.bsky.social
This science-free sh*t is deadly.
We all knew RFK Jr + MAHA was gonna be bad, but Holy Dark Age Batman....
RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers plan biggest change yet to childhood schedule wapo.st/3XrsKoD cc @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social @pauloffit.bsky.social
RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers plan biggest change yet to childhood schedule
The new chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said the panel plans to vote to end universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth and to scrutinize if childhood shots cause allergies.
wapo.st
December 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The flat-earthing of biomedicine continues.
This science-free sh*t is deadly.
We all knew RFK Jr + MAHA was gonna be bad, but Holy Dark Age Batman....
RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers plan biggest change yet to childhood schedule wapo.st/3XrsKoD cc @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social @pauloffit.bsky.social
This science-free sh*t is deadly.
We all knew RFK Jr + MAHA was gonna be bad, but Holy Dark Age Batman....
RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers plan biggest change yet to childhood schedule wapo.st/3XrsKoD cc @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social @pauloffit.bsky.social
The day after Thanksgiving break. Time to take stock.
Am I really going to make a dent in this to-do list before leaving for Christmas/New Year vacation?
What do you say, 8-ball?
Am I really going to make a dent in this to-do list before leaving for Christmas/New Year vacation?
What do you say, 8-ball?
woody from toy story sits on the floor next to a black ball with the number 8 on it
Alt: Woody the cowboy from the Toy Story movie sits on the floor and picks up an 8-ball and the answer comes up "Don't count on it"
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:49 PM
The day after Thanksgiving break. Time to take stock.
Am I really going to make a dent in this to-do list before leaving for Christmas/New Year vacation?
What do you say, 8-ball?
Am I really going to make a dent in this to-do list before leaving for Christmas/New Year vacation?
What do you say, 8-ball?
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
November 30, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
Microbe-mediated stress?
Microbial metabolite Imidazole propionate reaches brain, dampens hypothalamic activity & promotes stress-related behaviors. In humans, higher ImP is associated w/reduced hypothalamic responses & emotional eating
@pipethero.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-host-mi...
Microbial metabolite Imidazole propionate reaches brain, dampens hypothalamic activity & promotes stress-related behaviors. In humans, higher ImP is associated w/reduced hypothalamic responses & emotional eating
@pipethero.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-host-mi...
The microbial metabolite imidazole propionate modulates hypothalamic activity and stress-induced behaviors
Agirman et al. find that imidazole propionate, a microbiome-derived metabolite, reaches
the brain, dampens hypothalamic activity, and promotes stress-related behaviors. Human
data show that higher ImP...
www.cell.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Microbe-mediated stress?
Microbial metabolite Imidazole propionate reaches brain, dampens hypothalamic activity & promotes stress-related behaviors. In humans, higher ImP is associated w/reduced hypothalamic responses & emotional eating
@pipethero.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-host-mi...
Microbial metabolite Imidazole propionate reaches brain, dampens hypothalamic activity & promotes stress-related behaviors. In humans, higher ImP is associated w/reduced hypothalamic responses & emotional eating
@pipethero.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-host-mi...
Now that the final season has dropped I am thinking if starting to watch ‘Stranger Things’ on @netflix.com
The fact that I have at least three major deadlines due this week is purely COINCIDENCE
The fact that I have at least three major deadlines due this week is purely COINCIDENCE
December 1, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Now that the final season has dropped I am thinking if starting to watch ‘Stranger Things’ on @netflix.com
The fact that I have at least three major deadlines due this week is purely COINCIDENCE
The fact that I have at least three major deadlines due this week is purely COINCIDENCE
As a parent of a college junior who worked every day of the Thanksgiving weekend on assignments, I have both eyebrows raised
An issue we're seeing at all levels of university is that many students are simply refusing to do *anything*. They aren't reading the syllabus, aren't following assignment guidelines, aren't engaging with material, ignoring deadlines. And this might seem like old news, but it truly has ramped up.
November 30, 2025 at 5:50 AM
As a parent of a college junior who worked every day of the Thanksgiving weekend on assignments, I have both eyebrows raised
I should get a medal for self-restraint, given everything that has happened in 2025.
Sadly, this might be an overestimate- clearly I have been discussing fecal microbiomes and Santa's favorite slogan (just left out one "ho")
Sadly, this might be an overestimate- clearly I have been discussing fecal microbiomes and Santa's favorite slogan (just left out one "ho")
@harmitmalik.bsky.social has swears! They've used 22 profanities in their last 1,263 posts.
🥇 "crap" (3 times)
🥈 "shit" (3 times)
🥉 "ho" (2 times)
🥇 "crap" (3 times)
🥈 "shit" (3 times)
🥉 "ho" (2 times)
November 30, 2025 at 5:26 AM
I should get a medal for self-restraint, given everything that has happened in 2025.
Sadly, this might be an overestimate- clearly I have been discussing fecal microbiomes and Santa's favorite slogan (just left out one "ho")
Sadly, this might be an overestimate- clearly I have been discussing fecal microbiomes and Santa's favorite slogan (just left out one "ho")
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
"oh, don't forget to highlight, in bright red, the two-letter word in the tagline! the two letter word that's kind of the whole point of this clever ad campaign! the two letter word that links this show to the horror movie of the same name!"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
November 29, 2025 at 8:51 PM
"oh, don't forget to highlight, in bright red, the two-letter word in the tagline! the two letter word that's kind of the whole point of this clever ad campaign! the two letter word that links this show to the horror movie of the same name!"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
"no problem boss. i'm on it"
@profanity.accountant, I’m almost afraid to ask.
November 30, 2025 at 4:31 AM
@profanity.accountant, I’m almost afraid to ask.
People claim that folks who are cruel in their work life can be quite generous in their private lives. I beg to differ. If you’re cruel and lack empathy (or your job requires this) it leaks into every aspect of your life. Sociopaths don’t being so once they go home.
We’ve catalyzed this.
We’ve catalyzed this.
November 30, 2025 at 2:29 AM
People claim that folks who are cruel in their work life can be quite generous in their private lives. I beg to differ. If you’re cruel and lack empathy (or your job requires this) it leaks into every aspect of your life. Sociopaths don’t being so once they go home.
We’ve catalyzed this.
We’ve catalyzed this.
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
Creating a military conflict with Venezuela gives this administration a legal "hook" to invoke the Alien Enemies Act. In other words, the foreign war is being manufactured in order to facilitate court deference for its domestic mass deportation policy. It's a Stephen Miller Special.
November 29, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Creating a military conflict with Venezuela gives this administration a legal "hook" to invoke the Alien Enemies Act. In other words, the foreign war is being manufactured in order to facilitate court deference for its domestic mass deportation policy. It's a Stephen Miller Special.
Who’s keeping track of where all this ‘protection money’ Universities are paying is going? Who’s keeping track of where the money from the tariffs is going? Because services are gutted, Universities are squeezed like scrawny kids on the school yard, yet the deficit keeps growing. Who’s getting rich?
November 29, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Who’s keeping track of where all this ‘protection money’ Universities are paying is going? Who’s keeping track of where the money from the tariffs is going? Because services are gutted, Universities are squeezed like scrawny kids on the school yard, yet the deficit keeps growing. Who’s getting rich?
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
utter nonsense, served up to placate his boss –– obligation to patients be damned
NEW: The F.D.A. announced in an internal memo that 10 children died "because of" the Covid shot. Other experts want to see proof.
“This is a profound revelation,” Dr. Prasad's memo said. “For the first time, the U.S. F.D.A. will acknowledge that Covid-19 vaccines have killed American children.”
“This is a profound revelation,” Dr. Prasad's memo said. “For the first time, the U.S. F.D.A. will acknowledge that Covid-19 vaccines have killed American children.”
F.D.A. Attributes 10 Children’s Deaths to Covid Vaccines
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:55 AM
utter nonsense, served up to placate his boss –– obligation to patients be damned
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
How to keep in step when your (protein) partner speeds up…
Here we investigated the adaptive remodeling of a protein-protein interaction surface essential for telomere protection.
Congrats to whole team!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Here we investigated the adaptive remodeling of a protein-protein interaction surface essential for telomere protection.
Congrats to whole team!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Rapid compensatory evolution within a multiprotein complex preserves telomere integrity
Intragenomic conflict with selfish genetic elements spurs adaptive changes in subunits of essential multiprotein complexes. Whether and how these adaptive changes disrupt interactions within such comp...
www.science.org
November 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
How to keep in step when your (protein) partner speeds up…
Here we investigated the adaptive remodeling of a protein-protein interaction surface essential for telomere protection.
Congrats to whole team!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Here we investigated the adaptive remodeling of a protein-protein interaction surface essential for telomere protection.
Congrats to whole team!
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
GlcNAc build-up acts as a key metabolic signal in #Streptomyces, but how does it triggers developmental responses? @gillesvanwezel.bsky.social &co show that the enzyme NagS dehydrates GlcNAc-6P into a reactive intermediate, triggering a toxicity-based checkpoint @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/44pE08I
November 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
GlcNAc build-up acts as a key metabolic signal in #Streptomyces, but how does it triggers developmental responses? @gillesvanwezel.bsky.social &co show that the enzyme NagS dehydrates GlcNAc-6P into a reactive intermediate, triggering a toxicity-based checkpoint @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/44pE08I
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
Aloo-poori #Thanksgiving in our household
(Lots to be thankful for this year despite all the chaos)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
(Lots to be thankful for this year despite all the chaos)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
November 27, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Aloo-poori #Thanksgiving in our household
(Lots to be thankful for this year despite all the chaos)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
(Lots to be thankful for this year despite all the chaos)
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
So excited to share this as a new junior PI:
My brand-new lab website! 🎉🪰🌀
www.bischofflab.com
Please pass it on to young, motivated researchers looking for PhD positions 😊
And for the #FluorescenceFriday community: don’t miss the SciArt Gallery!
#CellBio #DevBio #PhDjob #PhDposition #Science
My brand-new lab website! 🎉🪰🌀
www.bischofflab.com
Please pass it on to young, motivated researchers looking for PhD positions 😊
And for the #FluorescenceFriday community: don’t miss the SciArt Gallery!
#CellBio #DevBio #PhDjob #PhDposition #Science
November 27, 2025 at 8:26 AM
So excited to share this as a new junior PI:
My brand-new lab website! 🎉🪰🌀
www.bischofflab.com
Please pass it on to young, motivated researchers looking for PhD positions 😊
And for the #FluorescenceFriday community: don’t miss the SciArt Gallery!
#CellBio #DevBio #PhDjob #PhDposition #Science
My brand-new lab website! 🎉🪰🌀
www.bischofflab.com
Please pass it on to young, motivated researchers looking for PhD positions 😊
And for the #FluorescenceFriday community: don’t miss the SciArt Gallery!
#CellBio #DevBio #PhDjob #PhDposition #Science
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
November 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Progressive coevolution of the yeast centromere and kinetochore
🤩
@helsenjana.bsky.social @gautamdey.bsky.social
Progressive coevolution of the yeast centromere and kinetochore
🤩
@helsenjana.bsky.social @gautamdey.bsky.social
Progressive coevolution of the yeast centromere and kinetochore - Nature
Thousands of centromeres were identified and tracked across two major fungal clades, showing that new centromeres spread progressively and that the kinetochore acts as a filter to determine which new ...
www.nature.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:22 PM
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Progressive coevolution of the yeast centromere and kinetochore
🤩
@helsenjana.bsky.social @gautamdey.bsky.social
Progressive coevolution of the yeast centromere and kinetochore
🤩
@helsenjana.bsky.social @gautamdey.bsky.social
Reposted by Harmit Singh Malik
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Today, I had a cool idea (hey, it can happen!).
In the past, I would have dived into it right away.
Now that I am older, I know better.
I will wait until AFTER the Thanksgiving weekend before discovering my idea is actually crap and/or that several people have had and published it previously.
In the past, I would have dived into it right away.
Now that I am older, I know better.
I will wait until AFTER the Thanksgiving weekend before discovering my idea is actually crap and/or that several people have had and published it previously.
November 27, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Today, I had a cool idea (hey, it can happen!).
In the past, I would have dived into it right away.
Now that I am older, I know better.
I will wait until AFTER the Thanksgiving weekend before discovering my idea is actually crap and/or that several people have had and published it previously.
In the past, I would have dived into it right away.
Now that I am older, I know better.
I will wait until AFTER the Thanksgiving weekend before discovering my idea is actually crap and/or that several people have had and published it previously.
apnews.com/article/mack... Scott's college roommate once loaned her $1K. Now it's the billionaire's turn to invest
MacKenzie Scott's college roommate once loaned her $1K. Now it's the billionaire's turn to invest
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott is one of the world’s wealthiest women. As a Princeton University sophomore, however, she faced dropping out until her roommate got her father to loan Scott ...
apnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:39 PM
apnews.com/article/mack... Scott's college roommate once loaned her $1K. Now it's the billionaire's turn to invest