Mark O. Martin
@markowenmartin.bsky.social
Microbial evangelist and podcaster. Husband, father, moderate. Associate Professor at the University of Puget Sound, facing retirement in June of 2026. Looking for what is next that sparks microbial joy.
Reposted by Mark O. Martin
New preprint: 🚀🧬 Starship in the genome of the lichen fungus Xanthoria. Discovery of giant transposons Starships challenged what we thought we knew about fungal genomes. But what about Starships in #lichen fungi? Let us present Tangerine! 🖥️ 🧪 🦠 🧫 #SymbioSky doi.org/10.1101/2025...
November 28, 2025 at 2:20 PM
New preprint: 🚀🧬 Starship in the genome of the lichen fungus Xanthoria. Discovery of giant transposons Starships challenged what we thought we knew about fungal genomes. But what about Starships in #lichen fungi? Let us present Tangerine! 🖥️ 🧪 🦠 🧫 #SymbioSky doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you have seen:
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Queen.
Melissa Etheridge.
Paul McCartney and Wings.
Eric Clapton.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Queen.
Melissa Etheridge.
Paul McCartney and Wings.
Eric Clapton.
November 28, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you have seen:
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Queen.
Melissa Etheridge.
Paul McCartney and Wings.
Eric Clapton.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Queen.
Melissa Etheridge.
Paul McCartney and Wings.
Eric Clapton.
What a lovely Thanksgiving. It was the first with just @jennifer.j.quinn and yours truly. But we watched old movies, drank champagne, and appreciated what we have and share.
November 28, 2025 at 4:01 AM
What a lovely Thanksgiving. It was the first with just @jennifer.j.quinn and yours truly. But we watched old movies, drank champagne, and appreciated what we have and share.
The Amoeba Sisters put it best.
November 28, 2025 at 1:19 AM
The Amoeba Sisters put it best.
Empty nest Thanksgiving is very quiet.
November 28, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Empty nest Thanksgiving is very quiet.
My Jennifer Quinn made this for my microbiology podcast (www.microbe.tv/mm) using luminous bacteria. I took photos at different exposures. #MattersMicrobial #sciencepodcasts #microbiology #MicrobialEvangelist @asmicrobiology @univpugetsound @MicrobeTV
November 27, 2025 at 9:55 PM
My Jennifer Quinn made this for my microbiology podcast (www.microbe.tv/mm) using luminous bacteria. I took photos at different exposures. #MattersMicrobial #sciencepodcasts #microbiology #MicrobialEvangelist @asmicrobiology @univpugetsound @MicrobeTV
For years, I have wanted microbially themed Doc Martens boots (my students call me “Doc Martin”). The company does not make them. And these inexpensive boots are, um, uncomfortable. So I hope to buy a set of 1460s and have an artist illustrate them. Maybe glow in the dark? @drmartensofficial
November 27, 2025 at 6:37 PM
For years, I have wanted microbially themed Doc Martens boots (my students call me “Doc Martin”). The company does not make them. And these inexpensive boots are, um, uncomfortable. So I hope to buy a set of 1460s and have an artist illustrate them. Maybe glow in the dark? @drmartensofficial
Reposted by Mark O. Martin
Looking forward to being on the podcast of
@markowenmartin.bsky.social to talk about the history of tumor virology. We will talk about some of these viruses:
@markowenmartin.bsky.social to talk about the history of tumor virology. We will talk about some of these viruses:
November 27, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Looking forward to being on the podcast of
@markowenmartin.bsky.social to talk about the history of tumor virology. We will talk about some of these viruses:
@markowenmartin.bsky.social to talk about the history of tumor virology. We will talk about some of these viruses:
Thanksgiving morning with @jennifer.j.quinn . Happy holidays to all.
November 27, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Thanksgiving morning with @jennifer.j.quinn . Happy holidays to all.
When I first met @symbionticism.bsky.social , he ate scorching hot wings in Nashville. We need to get Seth onto “Hot Ones.” He could talk microbiome science with Sean Evans, and why the audience should care. And discuss the effect of spicy food on the microbiome! @firstwefeast.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 1:46 AM
When I first met @symbionticism.bsky.social , he ate scorching hot wings in Nashville. We need to get Seth onto “Hot Ones.” He could talk microbiome science with Sean Evans, and why the audience should care. And discuss the effect of spicy food on the microbiome! @firstwefeast.bsky.social
Back when Azula of the #FireSkinkNation was tiny, and enjoyed a bit of scrambled eggs each Friday. Azula doesn't care for it as adult!
November 26, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Back when Azula of the #FireSkinkNation was tiny, and enjoyed a bit of scrambled eggs each Friday. Azula doesn't care for it as adult!
Asking again: I didn’t get the name of the woman who had this made at #ASMCUE in San Antonio. I need to find out what company made this, so I can commission one of my own. Complete with lab coat!
November 26, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Asking again: I didn’t get the name of the woman who had this made at #ASMCUE in San Antonio. I need to find out what company made this, so I can commission one of my own. Complete with lab coat!
We should be grateful this #Thanksgiving for the cyanobacteria, which linked Photosystem I and Photosystem II and changed the planet, making oxygen that we now breath. #MicrobialCentricity @univpugetsound @ASMicrobiology @microbe.tv
November 26, 2025 at 6:27 PM
We should be grateful this #Thanksgiving for the cyanobacteria, which linked Photosystem I and Photosystem II and changed the planet, making oxygen that we now breath. #MicrobialCentricity @univpugetsound @ASMicrobiology @microbe.tv
I am down about 40 pounds. It does not show yet, but my baggy clothes are telling me I’m making progress. The cursed treadmill and portion control are working. TBH, I have always hated how I look. I hope to become more acceptable.
a cartoon of mario wearing a hat with the letter m on it
ALT: a cartoon of mario wearing a hat with the letter m on it
media.tenor.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I am down about 40 pounds. It does not show yet, but my baggy clothes are telling me I’m making progress. The cursed treadmill and portion control are working. TBH, I have always hated how I look. I hope to become more acceptable.
From @jennifer.j.quinn’s LinkedIn page. I married up. Waaaay up.
November 26, 2025 at 4:58 PM
From @jennifer.j.quinn’s LinkedIn page. I married up. Waaaay up.
Everyone these days seems so sure of themselves and their opinions. It makes me uncomfortable, so I keep in mind my own limitations. This book helped me improve my own world view.
November 26, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Everyone these days seems so sure of themselves and their opinions. It makes me uncomfortable, so I keep in mind my own limitations. This book helped me improve my own world view.
I found this on Etsy. I wish there was a “House Microbiology” version. Which four images do YOU think should included on such a hypothetical enamel pin? @univpugetsound @ASMicrobiology @microbe.tv
November 25, 2025 at 10:50 PM
I found this on Etsy. I wish there was a “House Microbiology” version. Which four images do YOU think should included on such a hypothetical enamel pin? @univpugetsound @ASMicrobiology @microbe.tv
Well, yes. Always have. With apologies to Sir Mix-A-Lot.
November 25, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Well, yes. Always have. With apologies to Sir Mix-A-Lot.
I’m realize it is part of life, but I am getting tired of good people I know dying.
a grim reaper standing in front of a full moon in a cemetery
ALT: a grim reaper standing in front of a full moon in a cemetery
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I’m realize it is part of life, but I am getting tired of good people I know dying.
Reposted by Mark O. Martin
New temp limit for eukaryotes (with mitochondria): 63C!
A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #jcampubs
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
New temp limit for eukaryotes (with mitochondria): 63C!
It is starting to sink in... My last microbiology lecture is coming up. June 30th is my retirement date. Then what? Well, I hope to be a #MicrobialEvangelist, doing outreach, putting on workshops, podcasting, my own work in my little lab, etc. But it’s pretty daunting. Please wish me good luck.
November 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
It is starting to sink in... My last microbiology lecture is coming up. June 30th is my retirement date. Then what? Well, I hope to be a #MicrobialEvangelist, doing outreach, putting on workshops, podcasting, my own work in my little lab, etc. But it’s pretty daunting. Please wish me good luck.
Just remembering Baba Brinkman's brilliant microbiology rap. Did you see any VIMs in it? @ASMicrobiology @univpugetsound @microbetv.bsky.social
youtu.be/swoDROzsjXg?...
youtu.be/swoDROzsjXg?...
So Infectious – Baba Brinkman Music Video
YouTube video by Baba Brinkman
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Just remembering Baba Brinkman's brilliant microbiology rap. Did you see any VIMs in it? @ASMicrobiology @univpugetsound @microbetv.bsky.social
youtu.be/swoDROzsjXg?...
youtu.be/swoDROzsjXg?...
I asked my #Bio350 #Micronauts to write down the name of a prokaryote that struck them with #OMG and WTM feelings. We talked about them in class These are just two examples. @univpugetsound @ASMicrobiology @microbe.tv MicrobialCentrism DontFearTheMicrobe
November 24, 2025 at 10:05 PM
I asked my #Bio350 #Micronauts to write down the name of a prokaryote that struck them with #OMG and WTM feelings. We talked about them in class These are just two examples. @univpugetsound @ASMicrobiology @microbe.tv MicrobialCentrism DontFearTheMicrobe
While waiting for a new episode of #MattersMicrobial...I am #TWiMAdjacent once again! With bonus images of Jenny Quinn and her beloved aurora. It was such a fun session! Thanks to everyone at MicrobeTV: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Michele Swanson, and Petra Levin.
youtu.be/cweU4Nrxwks?...
youtu.be/cweU4Nrxwks?...
November 24, 2025 at 8:11 PM
While waiting for a new episode of #MattersMicrobial...I am #TWiMAdjacent once again! With bonus images of Jenny Quinn and her beloved aurora. It was such a fun session! Thanks to everyone at MicrobeTV: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Michele Swanson, and Petra Levin.
youtu.be/cweU4Nrxwks?...
youtu.be/cweU4Nrxwks?...
Azula of the #FireSkinkNation now is happy to see me. After all, I deliver skyworms and crunchy isopods.
November 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Azula of the #FireSkinkNation now is happy to see me. After all, I deliver skyworms and crunchy isopods.