Khalimat Murtazalieva
@khalimat.bsky.social
PhD student interested in molecular arms race and protein biology @cam.ac.uk.
MD, Russian National Research Medical University.
MD, Russian National Research Medical University.
Pinned
Elucidating the mechanisms of action and evolutionary history of phage anti-defence proteins
Phages and bacteria are locked in a molecular arms race, with phage anti-defence proteins (ADPs) enabling them to evade bacterial immune systems. To streamline access to information on ADPs, we develo...
www.biorxiv.org
Very excited to share our preprint on a new resource: the Encyclopaedia of Viral Anti-Defence Systems (EVADES)! This is the main result of my PhD at EMBL-EBI (@ebi.embl.org)
and the University of Cambridge (@cam.ac.uk)! 🔗 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... 🧵1/n"
and the University of Cambridge (@cam.ac.uk)! 🔗 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... 🧵1/n"
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
A remarkable recognition in Nature’s 10 for @merbllab.bsky.social and her team at #WeizmannInstitute the mindblowing discovery of a defense mechanism in human cells mediated by proteasome-derived antimicrobial peptides 🤩
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
This scientist found a new trick of the immune system by digging through cellular rubbish
Yifat Merbl is part of Nature’s 10, a list of people who shaped science in 2025.
www.nature.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:32 AM
A remarkable recognition in Nature’s 10 for @merbllab.bsky.social and her team at #WeizmannInstitute the mindblowing discovery of a defense mechanism in human cells mediated by proteasome-derived antimicrobial peptides 🤩
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
✨New preprint!
🧵1/4 Excited to share our work on AI-guided design of minimal RNA-guided nucleases. Amazing work by @petrskopintsev.bsky.social @isabelesain.bsky.social @evandeturk.bsky.social et al!
Multi-lab collaboration @banfieldlab.bsky.social @jhdcate.bsky.social @jacobsenucla.bsky.social🧬
🔗👇
🧵1/4 Excited to share our work on AI-guided design of minimal RNA-guided nucleases. Amazing work by @petrskopintsev.bsky.social @isabelesain.bsky.social @evandeturk.bsky.social et al!
Multi-lab collaboration @banfieldlab.bsky.social @jhdcate.bsky.social @jacobsenucla.bsky.social🧬
🔗👇
December 9, 2025 at 7:52 AM
✨New preprint!
🧵1/4 Excited to share our work on AI-guided design of minimal RNA-guided nucleases. Amazing work by @petrskopintsev.bsky.social @isabelesain.bsky.social @evandeturk.bsky.social et al!
Multi-lab collaboration @banfieldlab.bsky.social @jhdcate.bsky.social @jacobsenucla.bsky.social🧬
🔗👇
🧵1/4 Excited to share our work on AI-guided design of minimal RNA-guided nucleases. Amazing work by @petrskopintsev.bsky.social @isabelesain.bsky.social @evandeturk.bsky.social et al!
Multi-lab collaboration @banfieldlab.bsky.social @jhdcate.bsky.social @jacobsenucla.bsky.social🧬
🔗👇
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
Phages are full of genes of unknown function that are likely adaptive in specific conditions.
New preprint: Phage TnSeq identifies essential genes rapidly and knocks all non-essentials. We would like to send a pool of phiKZ mutants to anyone wanting it! Reach out
tinyurl.com/bdcfrejh
New preprint: Phage TnSeq identifies essential genes rapidly and knocks all non-essentials. We would like to send a pool of phiKZ mutants to anyone wanting it! Reach out
tinyurl.com/bdcfrejh
December 8, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Phages are full of genes of unknown function that are likely adaptive in specific conditions.
New preprint: Phage TnSeq identifies essential genes rapidly and knocks all non-essentials. We would like to send a pool of phiKZ mutants to anyone wanting it! Reach out
tinyurl.com/bdcfrejh
New preprint: Phage TnSeq identifies essential genes rapidly and knocks all non-essentials. We would like to send a pool of phiKZ mutants to anyone wanting it! Reach out
tinyurl.com/bdcfrejh
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
📝 Online now - the Review "Proteases in bacteriophage defense systems and their potential in bioengineering" from Stan Brouns and colleagues.
#PhageDefense #ProteaseAssociatedDefenseSystems #PADS #ProteinEngineering
Read it here: authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
#PhageDefense #ProteaseAssociatedDefenseSystems #PADS #ProteinEngineering
Read it here: authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
November 18, 2025 at 9:28 PM
📝 Online now - the Review "Proteases in bacteriophage defense systems and their potential in bioengineering" from Stan Brouns and colleagues.
#PhageDefense #ProteaseAssociatedDefenseSystems #PADS #ProteinEngineering
Read it here: authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
#PhageDefense #ProteaseAssociatedDefenseSystems #PADS #ProteinEngineering
Read it here: authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
We can learn a lot about our own biology just by figuring out how viruses hack our systems! Avoid mRNA circularization to scape the codon usage trap set by the host.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Viral RNA blocks circularization to evade host codon usage control - Nature
Rather than adapting to the codon usage of their host, viruses use viral 5′ untranslated regions to initiate translation, which allows them to produce viral proteins in host cells efficiently despite ...
www.nature.com
December 7, 2025 at 8:58 AM
We can learn a lot about our own biology just by figuring out how viruses hack our systems! Avoid mRNA circularization to scape the codon usage trap set by the host.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
I’m happy to share our new preprint! We uncovered the full diversity of bacterial TIR-based antiviral immune signaling, massively expanded the known diversity of Thoeris systems, and revealed conservation of TIR-derived immune signals across the tree of life.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Systematic discovery of TIR-based immune signaling systems in bacteria
Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domains are important for immune signaling across humans, plants and bacteria. These domains were recently found to produce immune signaling molecules in plant immuni...
www.biorxiv.org
December 4, 2025 at 9:25 AM
I’m happy to share our new preprint! We uncovered the full diversity of bacterial TIR-based antiviral immune signaling, massively expanded the known diversity of Thoeris systems, and revealed conservation of TIR-derived immune signals across the tree of life.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
Tomorrow (Thursday) at the Systems Virology Journal Club, Noor Youssef will present her work with Debbie Marks on developing an AI model that predicts how viruses evolve to evade the immune response.
Paper: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40345199/
Paper: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40345199/
🚨 Systems Virology Journal Club – 8th Series! 🚨
#BillSchneider and I are delighted to announce another round of cutting-edge talks in #SystemsVirology! 🦠💡
Join us and an outstanding lineup of speakers, starting Oct 30.
Free registration: shiraweingartengabbay.com/systems-viro... 🔬✨
#BillSchneider and I are delighted to announce another round of cutting-edge talks in #SystemsVirology! 🦠💡
Join us and an outstanding lineup of speakers, starting Oct 30.
Free registration: shiraweingartengabbay.com/systems-viro... 🔬✨
December 4, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Tomorrow (Thursday) at the Systems Virology Journal Club, Noor Youssef will present her work with Debbie Marks on developing an AI model that predicts how viruses evolve to evade the immune response.
Paper: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40345199/
Paper: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40345199/
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
#microsky #phagesky
A DNA-mimicking protein antagonises #phage SPbeta’s repressor and connects SOS response to the control of lysis-lysogeny
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A DNA-mimicking protein antagonises #phage SPbeta’s repressor and connects SOS response to the control of lysis-lysogeny
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
An unprecedented DNA recognition–mimicry switch governs induction in arbitrium phages
Temperate phages integrate multiple information sources to regulate lysis-lysogeny transitions. SPBeta-like phages use arbitrium signalling and DNA damage to control repressor activity during lytic in...
www.biorxiv.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:27 PM
#microsky #phagesky
A DNA-mimicking protein antagonises #phage SPbeta’s repressor and connects SOS response to the control of lysis-lysogeny
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A DNA-mimicking protein antagonises #phage SPbeta’s repressor and connects SOS response to the control of lysis-lysogeny
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
📢 We have multiple open PhD positions to study bacterial immune systems using cutting-edge cryo-EM, microbiology, and biochemistry in our group! Join us and uncover how bacterial defenses eliminate predators and engineer next-gen biotech tools.
🔥 Apply by Jan 8, 2026
Details: phd.pages.ista.ac.at
🔥 Apply by Jan 8, 2026
Details: phd.pages.ista.ac.at
phd.pages.ista.ac.at
December 2, 2025 at 8:44 AM
📢 We have multiple open PhD positions to study bacterial immune systems using cutting-edge cryo-EM, microbiology, and biochemistry in our group! Join us and uncover how bacterial defenses eliminate predators and engineer next-gen biotech tools.
🔥 Apply by Jan 8, 2026
Details: phd.pages.ista.ac.at
🔥 Apply by Jan 8, 2026
Details: phd.pages.ista.ac.at
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
Check this out for the 2026 SISB (phage defense) meeting in NYC. Mark your calendar! (and note the Zoom option, if needed)
sisb2026.rockefeller.edu
sisb2026.rockefeller.edu
SISB2026
sisb2026.rockefeller.edu
December 1, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Check this out for the 2026 SISB (phage defense) meeting in NYC. Mark your calendar! (and note the Zoom option, if needed)
sisb2026.rockefeller.edu
sisb2026.rockefeller.edu
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
Our SPARHA story is out in Nature Communications!
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
We investigated a new short pAgo-HNH defense system, showing that it assembles into filaments degrading cellular DNA, inducing abortive infection, resolved their structure, and uncovered the activation mechanism 🧵
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
We investigated a new short pAgo-HNH defense system, showing that it assembles into filaments degrading cellular DNA, inducing abortive infection, resolved their structure, and uncovered the activation mechanism 🧵
December 1, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Our SPARHA story is out in Nature Communications!
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
We investigated a new short pAgo-HNH defense system, showing that it assembles into filaments degrading cellular DNA, inducing abortive infection, resolved their structure, and uncovered the activation mechanism 🧵
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
We investigated a new short pAgo-HNH defense system, showing that it assembles into filaments degrading cellular DNA, inducing abortive infection, resolved their structure, and uncovered the activation mechanism 🧵
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
Intron-rich viruses - WOW!
rdcu.be/eSfG2
rdcu.be/eSfG2
Widespread and intron-rich mirusviruses are predicted to reproduce in nuclei of unicellular eukaryotes - Nature Microbiology
Environmental metagenomic explorations show that Mirusviricota lineages lack essential replication and transcription genes and contain spliceosomal introns, suggesting nuclear reproduction.
www.nature.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Intron-rich viruses - WOW!
rdcu.be/eSfG2
rdcu.be/eSfG2
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
How does fever work?
Our new Science paper shows how elevated body temperature can protect against severe influenza and that avian-origin viruses escape this defence.
This is likely one reason why bird flus and some pandemic influenzas can be so severe.🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Our new Science paper shows how elevated body temperature can protect against severe influenza and that avian-origin viruses escape this defence.
This is likely one reason why bird flus and some pandemic influenzas can be so severe.🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Avian-origin influenza A viruses tolerate elevated pyrexic temperatures in mammals
Host body temperature can define a virus’s replicative profile—influenza A viruses (IAVs) adapted to 40° to 42°C in birds are less temperature sensitive in vitro compared with human isolates adapted t...
www.science.org
November 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
How does fever work?
Our new Science paper shows how elevated body temperature can protect against severe influenza and that avian-origin viruses escape this defence.
This is likely one reason why bird flus and some pandemic influenzas can be so severe.🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Our new Science paper shows how elevated body temperature can protect against severe influenza and that avian-origin viruses escape this defence.
This is likely one reason why bird flus and some pandemic influenzas can be so severe.🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
Highlights from our recent participation!
Members of the Multi-Defence Consortium presented both talks and posters on phage defence systems — showcasing exciting progress across the field.
Great discussions, great science, and we’re excited to share more soon!
#MicroEvo25
Members of the Multi-Defence Consortium presented both talks and posters on phage defence systems — showcasing exciting progress across the field.
Great discussions, great science, and we’re excited to share more soon!
#MicroEvo25
November 27, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Highlights from our recent participation!
Members of the Multi-Defence Consortium presented both talks and posters on phage defence systems — showcasing exciting progress across the field.
Great discussions, great science, and we’re excited to share more soon!
#MicroEvo25
Members of the Multi-Defence Consortium presented both talks and posters on phage defence systems — showcasing exciting progress across the field.
Great discussions, great science, and we’re excited to share more soon!
#MicroEvo25
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
Could everyday chemicals be having a toxic effect on our gut #health? 🧫🧪
150+ common substances may stifle 'good' gut bacteria in our bodies, affecting digestion and mental health.
New #research by @kiranrpatil.bsky.social @indraroux.bsky.social @mrc-tu.bsky.social 👇
https://bit.ly/3Ma9325
150+ common substances may stifle 'good' gut bacteria in our bodies, affecting digestion and mental health.
New #research by @kiranrpatil.bsky.social @indraroux.bsky.social @mrc-tu.bsky.social 👇
https://bit.ly/3Ma9325
University of Cambridge
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Could everyday chemicals be having a toxic effect on our gut #health? 🧫🧪
150+ common substances may stifle 'good' gut bacteria in our bodies, affecting digestion and mental health.
New #research by @kiranrpatil.bsky.social @indraroux.bsky.social @mrc-tu.bsky.social 👇
https://bit.ly/3Ma9325
150+ common substances may stifle 'good' gut bacteria in our bodies, affecting digestion and mental health.
New #research by @kiranrpatil.bsky.social @indraroux.bsky.social @mrc-tu.bsky.social 👇
https://bit.ly/3Ma9325
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
⭐ NAR Breakthrough! ⭐
🦠 New study shows phage X1 hijacks Yersinia's enterocolitica flagellum to inject its DNA directly into the cytosol. Yersinia, though, strikes back!
🦠 A fascinating look at the #dualrole of #flagella in #viralentry and #bacterialimmunity.
🧬 Read more: doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
🦠 New study shows phage X1 hijacks Yersinia's enterocolitica flagellum to inject its DNA directly into the cytosol. Yersinia, though, strikes back!
🦠 A fascinating look at the #dualrole of #flagella in #viralentry and #bacterialimmunity.
🧬 Read more: doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
November 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
⭐ NAR Breakthrough! ⭐
🦠 New study shows phage X1 hijacks Yersinia's enterocolitica flagellum to inject its DNA directly into the cytosol. Yersinia, though, strikes back!
🦠 A fascinating look at the #dualrole of #flagella in #viralentry and #bacterialimmunity.
🧬 Read more: doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
🦠 New study shows phage X1 hijacks Yersinia's enterocolitica flagellum to inject its DNA directly into the cytosol. Yersinia, though, strikes back!
🦠 A fascinating look at the #dualrole of #flagella in #viralentry and #bacterialimmunity.
🧬 Read more: doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
Work I co-led with @jnoms.bsky.social is now online at
@cp-cellhostmicrobe.bsky.social ! We revealed a previously unrealized diversity of viral immune-evasion proteins that selectively destroy different cyclic nucleotide signals used in bacterial immunity.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@cp-cellhostmicrobe.bsky.social ! We revealed a previously unrealized diversity of viral immune-evasion proteins that selectively destroy different cyclic nucleotide signals used in bacterial immunity.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Divergent viral phosphodiesterases for immune signaling evasion
Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) and other short oligonucleotides play fundamental roles in immune system activation in organisms ranging from bacteria to …
www.sciencedirect.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Work I co-led with @jnoms.bsky.social is now online at
@cp-cellhostmicrobe.bsky.social ! We revealed a previously unrealized diversity of viral immune-evasion proteins that selectively destroy different cyclic nucleotide signals used in bacterial immunity.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@cp-cellhostmicrobe.bsky.social ! We revealed a previously unrealized diversity of viral immune-evasion proteins that selectively destroy different cyclic nucleotide signals used in bacterial immunity.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
⭐ NAR Breakthrough! ⭐
🔬 New study reveals how the Retron-Eco7 system helps bacteria sense and fight phage attacks, identifying a clever immune-sensing mechanism in the bacteria–phage arms race.
🧬 Read more: doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
#NARBreakthrough #Microbiology #PhageBiology #BacterialDefense
🔬 New study reveals how the Retron-Eco7 system helps bacteria sense and fight phage attacks, identifying a clever immune-sensing mechanism in the bacteria–phage arms race.
🧬 Read more: doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
#NARBreakthrough #Microbiology #PhageBiology #BacterialDefense
November 24, 2025 at 6:16 PM
⭐ NAR Breakthrough! ⭐
🔬 New study reveals how the Retron-Eco7 system helps bacteria sense and fight phage attacks, identifying a clever immune-sensing mechanism in the bacteria–phage arms race.
🧬 Read more: doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
#NARBreakthrough #Microbiology #PhageBiology #BacterialDefense
🔬 New study reveals how the Retron-Eco7 system helps bacteria sense and fight phage attacks, identifying a clever immune-sensing mechanism in the bacteria–phage arms race.
🧬 Read more: doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
#NARBreakthrough #Microbiology #PhageBiology #BacterialDefense
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
Excited to share our new review article on Viral Dark Matter led by PhD student @kosmopoulos.bsky.social. We talk about what is known and unknown in the world of viruses (specifically phage), and highlight future opportunities for research and biotechnology. pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Viral Dark Matter: Illuminating Protein Function, Ecology, and Biotechnological Promises
Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth and play central roles in shaping microbiomes and influencing ecosystem functions. Yet, most viral genes remain uncharacterized, comprising w...
pubs.acs.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Excited to share our new review article on Viral Dark Matter led by PhD student @kosmopoulos.bsky.social. We talk about what is known and unknown in the world of viruses (specifically phage), and highlight future opportunities for research and biotechnology. pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
We also uncovered hidden roles for known proteins. For example T4 Alt, a protein that is injected together with the phage DNA which is long known for its role in phage infection, seems to also act as anti-defense factor against Mokosh type I bacterial defense system.🔦
November 20, 2025 at 6:52 PM
We also uncovered hidden roles for known proteins. For example T4 Alt, a protein that is injected together with the phage DNA which is long known for its role in phage infection, seems to also act as anti-defense factor against Mokosh type I bacterial defense system.🔦
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
🚨Preprint alert - this is a big one! We transfer the revolutionary power of TnSeq to bacteriophages.
Our HIDEN-SEQ links the "dark matter" genes of your favorite phage to any selectable phenotype, guiding the path from fun observations to molecular mechanisms.
A thread 1/8
Our HIDEN-SEQ links the "dark matter" genes of your favorite phage to any selectable phenotype, guiding the path from fun observations to molecular mechanisms.
A thread 1/8
November 20, 2025 at 8:40 PM
🚨Preprint alert - this is a big one! We transfer the revolutionary power of TnSeq to bacteriophages.
Our HIDEN-SEQ links the "dark matter" genes of your favorite phage to any selectable phenotype, guiding the path from fun observations to molecular mechanisms.
A thread 1/8
Our HIDEN-SEQ links the "dark matter" genes of your favorite phage to any selectable phenotype, guiding the path from fun observations to molecular mechanisms.
A thread 1/8
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
Very happy to see this piece out in @plosbiology.org, on the bacterial immune systems and microbial communities. It was a great team effort with Rafael Custodio, @brockhurstlab.bsky.social , @brownlab.bsky.social, and Edze Westra! 🦠🧫 #phagesky #mevosky
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Bacterial immune systems as causes and consequences of microbiome structure
Bacterial immune systems have evolved in response to diverse molecular "parasites", yet their ecological roles remain poorly understood. This Essay explores how interactions between mobile genetic ele...
journals.plos.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Very happy to see this piece out in @plosbiology.org, on the bacterial immune systems and microbial communities. It was a great team effort with Rafael Custodio, @brockhurstlab.bsky.social , @brownlab.bsky.social, and Edze Westra! 🦠🧫 #phagesky #mevosky
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Reposted by Khalimat Murtazalieva
📣 New preprint from us at phagefoundry.org 📣
A solid machine learning framework & to predict strain-level phage-host interactions across diverse bacterial genera from genome sequences alone. Avery Noonan from the Arkin Lab led this massive effort
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A solid machine learning framework & to predict strain-level phage-host interactions across diverse bacterial genera from genome sequences alone. Avery Noonan from the Arkin Lab led this massive effort
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Phage Foundry
phagefoundry.org
November 16, 2025 at 5:58 PM
📣 New preprint from us at phagefoundry.org 📣
A solid machine learning framework & to predict strain-level phage-host interactions across diverse bacterial genera from genome sequences alone. Avery Noonan from the Arkin Lab led this massive effort
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A solid machine learning framework & to predict strain-level phage-host interactions across diverse bacterial genera from genome sequences alone. Avery Noonan from the Arkin Lab led this massive effort
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Finally some time to cook!
November 16, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Finally some time to cook!