Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · 1d

From polymicrobial water kefir grains to PCD in biofilms, microorganisms are magnificently multicellular!
Thanks to @embo.org @ibe-barcelona.bsky.social for having Lena Friebel and Thorsten Mascher @tudresden.bsky.social as well as @escolizzi.bsky.social at the
#Multicellverse workshop

2 3

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · 1d

You can’t talk about microbial multicellularity without mentioning Streptomyces - check out our collaborator Daniel Rozen’s experimental evolution of these filamentous bacteria!
Thanks @martaalvarez.bsky.social for snapping a pic!
@embo.org #Multicellverse

Marta Álvarez-Presas @martaalvarez.bsky.social · 2d

Daniel Rozen is now talking about experimental evolution in Streptomyces. #Multicellverse

4

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · 1d

Our head of #SPP2389 Thorsten Mascher also put the spotlight on the multicellular microbial communities of water kefir - thanks again @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social !
@embo.org #Multicellverse

Ákos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · 2d

Thorsten Mascher, speaker of @spp2389.bsky.social at #Multicellverse 👇🏼

Marta Álvarez-Presas @martaalvarez.bsky.social · 3d

Thorsten Mascher talking about amazing water kefir grains. #Multicellverse

1 2

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · 1d

Lena brought her research on cannibalism in Bacillus biofilms to the @embo.org multicellularity workshop! Thanks @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social for the picture! #Multicellverse

Ákos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · 2d

@spp2389.bsky.social at #Multicellverse 👇🏼

Marta Álvarez-Presas @martaalvarez.bsky.social · 2d

Lena Friebel is now talking about cannibalism in bacteria! #Multicellverse

1 2

Reposted by SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity

ETH Zurich @ethz.ch · 2d

All cells – from mammalian cells to microbes – can follow different biological paths. Whether they grow and divide, specialise, age or die depends on the pathway they take. New findings by researchers at ETH Zurich could help influence a cell’s decisions to target diseases such as cancer.

Protein condensates determine a cell’s fate

Do cells contain a mechanism that decides on their fates? Researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated in a new study that large clusters of molecules determine a cell’s future.

ethz.ch

2 5 10

Reposted by SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity

Khaled_Selim Lab @selimlab.bsky.social · 4d

A bit late 🙃 but happy to share our recent findings on #cdiAMP signaling in controlling #cyanobacteria #diurnal rhythm in @cp-iscience.bsky.social

www.cell.com/iscience/ful...

#cdiAMP is involved in almost all cellular processes, explaining it's essentiality in #cyano
@hhu.de
@mibinet.bsky.social

Diurnal rhythm causes metabolic crises in the cyanobacterial mutants of c-di-AMP signaling cascade

Biological sciences; Biochemistry; Microbiology; PII-like protein SbtB; c-di-AMP signaling; Cyanobacteria; Carbon/Nitrogen metabolism; Redox imbalance; Photosynthesis; Reactive oxygen species (ROS); C...

www.cell.com

1 8 17

Reposted by SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity

Ákos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · 4d

PhD position on Regulation and Evolution of Bacterial Multicellularity ( #Streptomyces ) within @spp2389.bsky.social supervised by Natalia Tschowri (Hannover 🇩🇪) and Danny Rozen (Leiden 🇳🇱) with research at both locations

deadline: October 31, 2025

www.uni-hannover.de/en/jobs/id/802

1 6 12

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · 23d

Streptomyces and other filamentous actinomycetes are treasure troves of a vast collection of antibiotic compounds - an evolutionary feature linked to their unique multicellular lifestyle

Matt Hutchings @matthutchings.bsky.social · 26d

The million dollar question…new review from Matt Tracker and colleagues

www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...

Why Do Filamentous Actinomycetota Produce Such a Vast Array of Specialized Metabolites? | Annual Reviews

Bacteria of the phylum Actinomycetota are extremely diverse: They inhabit niches ranging from soils and ocean sediments to the normal human microbiota, and they cause tuberculosis, one of the most pre...

www.annualreviews.org

1

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · 24d

Curious about kin recognition systems? Take notes from Proteus and Myxococcus!
@ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social

Ákos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · Aug 31

Kin Recognition Systems and Their Role in Multicellular Behaviors

#AnnuRevMicrobiol by Karin Yaniv and Karine Gibbs @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social

four bacterial and eukaryotic microorganisms with collective migration where recognition is known or implied

www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...

Kin Recognition Systems and Their Role in Multicellular Behaviors | Annual Reviews

Interactions between individuals are at the foundation of every community. Furthermore, multicellular behaviors can emerge when individuals come together. Microbes—bacteria, fungi, archaea, and parasi...

www.annualreviews.org

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · 24d

Congratulations to our Matthias for winning the @femsmicro.org international microorganism day microbe art contest for best photo and best overall! 🎉🦠
Biofilms truly are beautiful works of multicellular microbial architecture 🏛️

www.internationalmicroorganismday.org/microbeart

International Microorganism Day - Microbe Art Contest Winners

www.internationalmicroorganismday.org

1 1

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · 24d

A bit late to the party, but happy belated international microorganism day!

FEMS @femsmicro.org · 25d

Happy International Microorganism Day! 🎉

Today, we are celebrating the tiny powerhouses that have a massive impact on our world. From the bacteria in our gut to the fungi that give us antibiotics, these incredible organisms are essential to life.

Let's make some noise for the microscopic!

1 2

Reposted by SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity

Ákos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · Jul 25

The what, when, where, and why of wrinkly morphology in biofilms

-in Biophysics Rev

pubs.aip.org/aip/bpr/arti...

The what, when, where, and why of wrinkly morphology in biofilms

Wrinkling is a striking emergent behavior that occurs in microbial biofilms across many species. The phenomenon originates from an intricate interplay between e

pubs.aip.org

8 13

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · Jun 24

We loved hearing @khammerschmidt.bsky.social talk about evolution at the #MultiBac2025 conference this January - check out the @asm.org report on the origins of early microbial life!

Katrin Hammerschmidt @khammerschmidt.bsky.social · Jun 24

Happy to have been part of EVOLUTION & MECHANISMS GOVERNING MULTICELLULARITY—one of 3 workshops behind @asm.org’s new report. Big questions, great conversations—looking back on origins of microbial life and what lies ahead. Highly recommended read: asm.org/reports/earl...
#MicroSky #MEvoSky #EvoSky

3 8

Reposted by SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity

Khaled_Selim Lab @selimlab.bsky.social · Jun 23

A very interesting study by @cyanofur.bsky.social Lab on biofilm formation by filamentous #Cyanobacteria Nostoc

Could be interesting for @spp2389.bsky.social

nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

1 2

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · Jun 19

Congrats to @mcaroec.bsky.social on winning a talk prize at #BACELL2025 !

Ákos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · Jun 18

4 poster prizes and 2 talk prizes (Martha Carolina Elizondo-Cantú @mcaroec.bsky.social and Robert Warneke @warneke.bsky.social) sponsored by BACIP (the BACELL industrial platform)
#BACELL2025

1 4

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · Jun 19

Our #SPP2389 associated PhD student Luis gave a great talk on the effects of experimental evolution on Streptomyces aggregates and colonies at the #ISBA2025 !

1

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · Jun 18

Another #SPP2389 PhD student Martha with a great talk on phase transitions in B. subtilis macrocolonies!
Thanks again to @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social for capturing the moment! #BACELL2025

Ákos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · Jun 18

Repeated “phase” transitions occur at the expanding front of B. subtilis microcolonies - Martha Carolina Elizondo-Cantú @mcaroec.bsky.social from Ilka Bischofs group
#BACELL2025

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · Jun 17

One of our SPP PhD students Lena presented her research on cannibalism in B. subtilis biofilms at the #BACELL2025 today!
Thanks to @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social for snapping a pic!

Ákos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · Jun 17

Cannibalism shapes biofilm structure and composition in Bacillus subtilis - Lena Friebel from Thorsten Mascher group
#BACELL2025

1

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · Jun 13

Only 2 more days until the ISBA! Genna's looking forward to 5 days of nothing but actinomycetes and the beautiful North Sea.
Tot snel!

www.universiteitleiden.nl/isba2025

2

Reposted by SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity

Ákos T Kovács @evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social · May 23

Antimicrobial efflux and biofilms: an interplay leading to emergent resistance evolution

@cp-trendsmicrobiol.bsky.social from Rosalind Allen, Frank Schreiber groups (within @spp2389.bsky.social and @microverse.bsky.social)

www.cell.com/trends/micro...

Antimicrobial efflux and biofilms: an interplay leading to emergent resistance evolution

The biofilm mode of growth and drug efflux are both important factors that impede the treatment of bacterial infections with antimicrobials. Decades of work have uncovered the mechanisms involved in b...

www.cell.com

13 18

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · May 22

Only a few more weeks until the Long Night of Science (Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften) here in Dresden!

www.wissenschaftsnacht-dresden.de

TU Dresden @tudresden.bsky.social · May 20

Wissenschaft zum Anfassen, Mitmachen & Staunen! 🧑‍🔬 Am 20.6. ist es wieder soweit: Die Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften #Dresden öffnet ihre Türen! Erlebt bei der #LNdWDD an der #TUDresden zahlreiche Experimente, Vorträge & Mitmachaktionen für Jung & Alt. Zum Programm ➡ wissenschaftsnacht-dresden.de

Foto der Langen Nacht der Wissenschaften 2024 zeigt eine Vortragende vor einem großen Publikum auf der Wiese hinterm Hörsaalzentrum.

Foto der Langen Nacht der Wissenschaften 2024 zeigt eine Person mit Kopfhörern an einem Laptop im schallreflexionsarmen Raum der TUD.

Foto der Langen Nacht der Wissenschaften 2024 zeigt einen Roboter der Essen austeilt in der CeTIBar.

Foto eines menschengroßen Modells vom Augeninneren bei der Langen Nacht der Wissenschaft.

2

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · May 7

Bacterial colony architecture is heavily influenced by the strain and its environment - how can we study the spatial organization of these heterogeneous groups?
Susann Müller's group developed a method for biopsies on the microscale!
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Bacterial colony biopsies: Spatial discrimination of heterogeneous cell types by cytometric fingerprinting

Colonies of pure bacterial strains are highly dense cellular structures organised in distinct and typical arrangements. The size, shape and variability of bacterial colonies are strongly species-d...

besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

1

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · May 5

We heard Stefan talk about his work on multicellularity in Stenotrophomonas at our conference this January, check out his latest preprint!

Anupama Khare @anukharelab.bsky.social · May 5

New preprint alert 🚨: We found that Steno maltophila senses a quorum sensing molecule from the co-infecting pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and switches to multicellular aggregates as a protective mechanism. #MicroSky
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia exhibits defensive multicellularity in response to a Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing molecule

Microorganisms commonly exist in polymicrobial communities, where organisms can respond to interspecies secreted molecules by altering behaviors and physiology, however, the underlying mechanisms rema...

www.biorxiv.org

2 3

Reposted by SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity

Michelle Leger @freejakoba.bsky.social · Apr 19

The page for the EMBO multicellularity meeting organized by @multicellgenome.bsky.social , @martaalvarez.bsky.social and colleagues is online! #multicellularity #protists

meetings.embo.org/event/25-mul...

Evolution and origins of multicellularity across the tree of life

The study of the origins and evolution of multicellularity in different lineages has recently captured the attention of many research groups and is fueling the generation of numerous innovative resea…

meetings.embo.org

2 10 24

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity @spp2389.bsky.social · Apr 22

The Type Strain Genome Server (TYGS) is struggling due to system problems and resource distribution - help save this widely used and crucial taxonomic tool!

www.ipetitions.com/petition/dsm...

Petition DSMZ, bring back TYGS

DSMZ, bring back TYGS

www.ipetitions.com