Respiratory Microbiomes
@resp-micro.bsky.social
We are a respiratory microbiome research group at the University of Birmingham in the Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes; we are also part of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection. Run by Dr Mike Cox 🏳️🌈.
Abstract deadline for this meeting is Monday - still time to pull one together! Great mix of speakers covering the interface between immunology, infection and omics in respiratory disease.
Ready to showcase your respiratory infection and genomics research? Submit your abstract for #AIR2026 ✍
Demonstrate the application of #genomics technologies in respiratory biology, and gain feedback from leaders 🫁
🗓️ Dates: 11-13 February
⏰ Abstract deadline: 17 November
📎 bit.ly/46T6uJB
Demonstrate the application of #genomics technologies in respiratory biology, and gain feedback from leaders 🫁
🗓️ Dates: 11-13 February
⏰ Abstract deadline: 17 November
📎 bit.ly/46T6uJB
November 14, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Abstract deadline for this meeting is Monday - still time to pull one together! Great mix of speakers covering the interface between immunology, infection and omics in respiratory disease.
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
Globally, supervisor time, manageable workloads, and early‑stage optimism correlate most with satisfaction, while long hours consistently reduce it.
What has made the biggest difference for your #PhD experience?
Link to the Nature article:
What has made the biggest difference for your #PhD experience?
Link to the Nature article:
Are these the happiest PhD students in the world?
Brazil, Australia and Italy have the highest satisfaction scores in Nature’s global 2025 PhD survey — but are these nations really the best places to do a doctorate?
www.nature.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Globally, supervisor time, manageable workloads, and early‑stage optimism correlate most with satisfaction, while long hours consistently reduce it.
What has made the biggest difference for your #PhD experience?
Link to the Nature article:
What has made the biggest difference for your #PhD experience?
Link to the Nature article:
We have a number of fully funded PhD opportunities supported by the MIBTP DTP in the Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes in the University of Birmingham.
Topics from gut, vaginal and nasal microbiomes to AMR, Staph aureus and HPV in tonsils www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/colleg...
Topics from gut, vaginal and nasal microbiomes to AMR, Staph aureus and HPV in tonsils www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/colleg...
Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership - University of Birmingham
MIBTP is a UK-wide doctoral training programme that equips bioscience PhD students with interdisciplinary skills to tackle global challenges in agriculture, health, and sustainability.
www.birmingham.ac.uk
October 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM
We have a number of fully funded PhD opportunities supported by the MIBTP DTP in the Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes in the University of Birmingham.
Topics from gut, vaginal and nasal microbiomes to AMR, Staph aureus and HPV in tonsils www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/colleg...
Topics from gut, vaginal and nasal microbiomes to AMR, Staph aureus and HPV in tonsils www.birmingham.ac.uk/about/colleg...
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
Thank you to everyone who has joined, backed us, and participated. Your impact goes beyond a hashtag; it's a lasting legacy. To keep #BlackInMicro alive, Donate: tinyurl.com/GiveBiM and Register to attend: linktr.ee/BlackInMicro (see links in bio) #BiMWeek2025
October 16, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Thank you to everyone who has joined, backed us, and participated. Your impact goes beyond a hashtag; it's a lasting legacy. To keep #BlackInMicro alive, Donate: tinyurl.com/GiveBiM and Register to attend: linktr.ee/BlackInMicro (see links in bio) #BiMWeek2025
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
New respiratory 🫁 infection and microbiomes conference in Hinxton with stellar line up of speakers.
🚨 Submit your abstracts now! 🚨
Please RT
coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/event/air-20...
🚨 Submit your abstracts now! 🚨
Please RT
coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/event/air-20...
AIR 2026: Genomic and Systems Approaches to Respiratory Infection, Microbiomes and Immunity — 20260211
Course exploring how genomics, microbiome profiling, and systems biology reshape our understanding of respiratory infections and immune dynamics.
coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org
October 8, 2025 at 2:48 PM
New respiratory 🫁 infection and microbiomes conference in Hinxton with stellar line up of speakers.
🚨 Submit your abstracts now! 🚨
Please RT
coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/event/air-20...
🚨 Submit your abstracts now! 🚨
Please RT
coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/event/air-20...
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
Published today!
'The Kocurious case of Noodlococcus: genomic insights into Kocuria rhizophila from characterisation of a laboratory contaminant'
A labour of love in the group, led by @gemccallum.bsky.social @biostan.bsky.social @prob91.bsky.social
www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...
'The Kocurious case of Noodlococcus: genomic insights into Kocuria rhizophila from characterisation of a laboratory contaminant'
A labour of love in the group, led by @gemccallum.bsky.social @biostan.bsky.social @prob91.bsky.social
www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...
The Kocurious case of Noodlococcus: genomic insights into Kocuria rhizophila from characterisation of a laboratory contaminant
The laboratory contaminant strain Noodlococcus was named for its coccoid cells and unusual colony morphology, which resembled a pile of noodles. Along with laboratory characterisation and electron mic...
www.microbiologyresearch.org
October 6, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Published today!
'The Kocurious case of Noodlococcus: genomic insights into Kocuria rhizophila from characterisation of a laboratory contaminant'
A labour of love in the group, led by @gemccallum.bsky.social @biostan.bsky.social @prob91.bsky.social
www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...
'The Kocurious case of Noodlococcus: genomic insights into Kocuria rhizophila from characterisation of a laboratory contaminant'
A labour of love in the group, led by @gemccallum.bsky.social @biostan.bsky.social @prob91.bsky.social
www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
We are looking for a senior technician (can undertake PhD) at Uni of Birmingham (UK) to study chromatin replication and ubiquitylation using Xenopus egg extract. Deadline 28/10/25. Get in touch with me or @m-saponaro.bsky.social for informal inquiries. Please share.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOW912/s...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOW912/s...
Senior Research Technician at University of Birmingham
Explore an exciting academic career as a Senior Research Technician. Don't miss out on other academic jobs. Click to apply and explore more opportunities.
www.jobs.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 8:51 AM
We are looking for a senior technician (can undertake PhD) at Uni of Birmingham (UK) to study chromatin replication and ubiquitylation using Xenopus egg extract. Deadline 28/10/25. Get in touch with me or @m-saponaro.bsky.social for informal inquiries. Please share.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOW912/s...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOW912/s...
Really pleased to be involved with this study, we're going to lend our respiratory microbiome expertise to see what the impact of vaping is like. With smoking, the respiratory microbiome is already altered _before_ some people develop COPD - the dysbiosis has already happened.
A first-of-its-kind project supported by MRC and led by @unibirmingham.bsky.social will study the long-term impact of vaping on lung health.
Researchers will examine the biological effects of vaping on lung cells, immune cells, and the airway microbiome.
More: www.ukri.org/news/first-o...
Researchers will examine the biological effects of vaping on lung cells, immune cells, and the airway microbiome.
More: www.ukri.org/news/first-o...
First-of-its-kind study on impact of vaping on respiratory health
The University of Birmingham will lead a £1.55 million MRC-funded project to unravel long-term vaping risks and benefits on lung health for smokers.
www.ukri.org
October 7, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Really pleased to be involved with this study, we're going to lend our respiratory microbiome expertise to see what the impact of vaping is like. With smoking, the respiratory microbiome is already altered _before_ some people develop COPD - the dysbiosis has already happened.
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
Job opportunity in my lab! We're looking for a post-doc to come join us for an exciting project exploring the evolution of #AMR and #hypervirulence in #klebsiella. Please share!! @unibirmingham.bsky.social Details: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOV067/r...
Research Fellow at University of Birmingham
Apply now for the Research Fellow role on jobs.ac.uk - the leading job board for higher education jobs. View details.
www.jobs.ac.uk
October 2, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Job opportunity in my lab! We're looking for a post-doc to come join us for an exciting project exploring the evolution of #AMR and #hypervirulence in #klebsiella. Please share!! @unibirmingham.bsky.social Details: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DOV067/r...
Early notice of NEW Wellcome Conference -
AIR 2026: Genomic and Systems Approaches to Respiratory Infection, Microbiomes and Immunity 11th-13th February, sign up below for notifications
coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/our-events/c...
It's immunulogy AND it's microbiology 🫁
AIR 2026: Genomic and Systems Approaches to Respiratory Infection, Microbiomes and Immunity 11th-13th February, sign up below for notifications
coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/our-events/c...
It's immunulogy AND it's microbiology 🫁
Conferences
coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org
July 21, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Early notice of NEW Wellcome Conference -
AIR 2026: Genomic and Systems Approaches to Respiratory Infection, Microbiomes and Immunity 11th-13th February, sign up below for notifications
coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/our-events/c...
It's immunulogy AND it's microbiology 🫁
AIR 2026: Genomic and Systems Approaches to Respiratory Infection, Microbiomes and Immunity 11th-13th February, sign up below for notifications
coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org/our-events/c...
It's immunulogy AND it's microbiology 🫁
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
Congratulations to Dr Sandhu!! Our first PhD student @resp-micro.bsky.social Operation Rainbow Unicorn is complete!! Thanks to examiners Karl Staples and Amanda Rossiter 🦄
June 24, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Congratulations to Dr Sandhu!! Our first PhD student @resp-micro.bsky.social Operation Rainbow Unicorn is complete!! Thanks to examiners Karl Staples and Amanda Rossiter 🦄
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
Fabulous Brum Pride parade with the also fabulous @resp-micro.bsky.social #microsky 🧪🧫🏳️🌈
May 24, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Fabulous Brum Pride parade with the also fabulous @resp-micro.bsky.social #microsky 🧪🧫🏳️🌈
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
Why should microbiologists working on #CysticFibrosis study Haemophilus influenzae? @phoebesilva.bsky.social explains all for @amiposts.bsky.social www.the-microbiologist.com/features/the... #MicroSky
The rise of the early cystic fibrosis lung coloniser, Haemophilus influenzae
With the increasing availability of modulator therapies for people with cystic fibrosis, end-stage infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is becoming less common. But are we going to see a rise in the ...
www.the-microbiologist.com
May 21, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Why should microbiologists working on #CysticFibrosis study Haemophilus influenzae? @phoebesilva.bsky.social explains all for @amiposts.bsky.social www.the-microbiologist.com/features/the... #MicroSky
We have a funded PhD opportunity to start this year for an exciting collaborative project with UKHSA as part of the Health Protection Research Unit in Public Health Genomics www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
The question is "how do we use metagenomic data for the best clinical outcomes?"
The question is "how do we use metagenomic data for the best clinical outcomes?"
Integrating metagenomics into respiratory clinical healthcare pathways – forest, trees, needles and haystacks in metagenomic data. at University of Birmingham on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Integrating metagenomics into respiratory clinical healthcare pathways – forest, trees, needles and haystacks in metagenomic data. at University of Birmingham, listed on FindAPhD.c...
www.findaphd.com
May 21, 2025 at 8:57 AM
We have a funded PhD opportunity to start this year for an exciting collaborative project with UKHSA as part of the Health Protection Research Unit in Public Health Genomics www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
The question is "how do we use metagenomic data for the best clinical outcomes?"
The question is "how do we use metagenomic data for the best clinical outcomes?"
We will be taking part in Birmingham Pride again this year and joining the march amongst university colleagues. My personal feeling is representation is more important than ever and that my aim is for this research group to be safe for all LGBTQIA+ people 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️
May 8, 2025 at 10:01 AM
We will be taking part in Birmingham Pride again this year and joining the march amongst university colleagues. My personal feeling is representation is more important than ever and that my aim is for this research group to be safe for all LGBTQIA+ people 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️
Got family sending me this, which is a good sign that it's been picked up generally! gizmodo.com/scientists-u... it demonstrates how powerful electronic health records are doi.org/10.1093/infd... the link isn't new however, amongst others ISAAC showed this in 2004 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15020566/
Scientists Uncover Unexpected Link to Childhood Asthma
In a study of over one million kids, researchers found that early antibiotic use was linked to higher rates of asthma.
gizmodo.com
April 22, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Got family sending me this, which is a good sign that it's been picked up generally! gizmodo.com/scientists-u... it demonstrates how powerful electronic health records are doi.org/10.1093/infd... the link isn't new however, amongst others ISAAC showed this in 2004 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15020566/
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
A blueprint for contemporary studies of microbiomes microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.... #jcampubs
A blueprint for contemporary studies of microbiomes - Microbiome
This editorial piece co-authored by the Senior Editors at Microbiome aims to highlight current challenges in the field of environmental and host-associated microbiome research. We also take the opport...
microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com
April 10, 2025 at 1:35 PM
A blueprint for contemporary studies of microbiomes microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.... #jcampubs
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
Less than a week left to apply for this #PhD position!
🎓 #PhDPosition available in my group!
🫁 Understanding the microbiome and phageome in chronic lung infections for the development of phage therapy with me & Prof Eleanor Mishra
📅 Apply by Monday 14 April
➡️ buff.ly/7v9JVDU
Happy to answer questions, but don't send your CV through email.
🫁 Understanding the microbiome and phageome in chronic lung infections for the development of phage therapy with me & Prof Eleanor Mishra
📅 Apply by Monday 14 April
➡️ buff.ly/7v9JVDU
Happy to answer questions, but don't send your CV through email.
April 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Less than a week left to apply for this #PhD position!
Trying to come up with different ways to express how common COPD is and its population prevalence. "3 times the population of UK's second city, Birmingham".
...in this talk I propose a new Blue Whale/Football Pitch/Moon and Back unit: the Birmingham.
...in this talk I propose a new Blue Whale/Football Pitch/Moon and Back unit: the Birmingham.
April 8, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Trying to come up with different ways to express how common COPD is and its population prevalence. "3 times the population of UK's second city, Birmingham".
...in this talk I propose a new Blue Whale/Football Pitch/Moon and Back unit: the Birmingham.
...in this talk I propose a new Blue Whale/Football Pitch/Moon and Back unit: the Birmingham.
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
Happy to again co-chair the American Thoracic Society Conference Post-Grad Course "A Hands-On Introduction to Studying the Lung Microbiome" with Bob Dickson and Leo Segal in San Francisco on May 16! Register here: tinyurl.com/Lung-microbi...
@ats-pitb.bsky.social
@ats-pitb.bsky.social
March 4, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Happy to again co-chair the American Thoracic Society Conference Post-Grad Course "A Hands-On Introduction to Studying the Lung Microbiome" with Bob Dickson and Leo Segal in San Francisco on May 16! Register here: tinyurl.com/Lung-microbi...
@ats-pitb.bsky.social
@ats-pitb.bsky.social
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
Open Professor Position focussing on host-microbe interactions and the microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract, incorporating functional models - University of Graz, Austria.
Applications being accepted until 2 April 2025. #microbiomesky #microsky #academicjobs jobsprof.uni-graz.at/prof/job.php...
Applications being accepted until 2 April 2025. #microbiomesky #microsky #academicjobs jobsprof.uni-graz.at/prof/job.php...
Professor of Microbiology 2
jobsprof.uni-graz.at
March 4, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Open Professor Position focussing on host-microbe interactions and the microbiome in the gastrointestinal tract, incorporating functional models - University of Graz, Austria.
Applications being accepted until 2 April 2025. #microbiomesky #microsky #academicjobs jobsprof.uni-graz.at/prof/job.php...
Applications being accepted until 2 April 2025. #microbiomesky #microsky #academicjobs jobsprof.uni-graz.at/prof/job.php...
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
Our mSCAPE project has been formally announced to the world by @smhopkins.bsky.social at #FOG2025 today: www.gov.uk/government/n... - a really exciting academic-public health collaboration to build a surveillance platform leveraging NHS metagenomic diagnostic data. @meerac.bsky.social
UKHSA launches new metagenomic surveillance for health security
The UK launches mSCAPE, a world-first metagenomics initiative by UKHSA to enhance health security through rapid pathogen detection and surveillance.
www.gov.uk
January 30, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Our mSCAPE project has been formally announced to the world by @smhopkins.bsky.social at #FOG2025 today: www.gov.uk/government/n... - a really exciting academic-public health collaboration to build a surveillance platform leveraging NHS metagenomic diagnostic data. @meerac.bsky.social
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
New paper out today from the lab on Akkermansia muciniphila 🦠and how it breaks down host glycans! Very proud of my group, especially @cassiebakshani.bsky.social who did an amazing job. @naturemicrobiol.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Carbohydrate-active enzymes from Akkermansia muciniphila break down mucin O-glycans to completion - Nature Microbiology
Biochemical characterization of 66 carbohydrate-active enzymes from the gut microorganism Akkermansia muciniphila reveals that these enzymes can break down a range of host glycans, including mucin, wh...
www.nature.com
January 31, 2025 at 10:25 AM
New paper out today from the lab on Akkermansia muciniphila 🦠and how it breaks down host glycans! Very proud of my group, especially @cassiebakshani.bsky.social who did an amazing job. @naturemicrobiol.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Respiratory Microbiomes
"In disease, lung microbiota diversify". Fascinating talk by Dr. Mike Cox @resp-micro.bsky.social at #FOG2025 - especially relevant for severe #asthma!
#Immunology #ImmunoSky #MedSky
#Immunology #ImmunoSky #MedSky
January 29, 2025 at 8:57 PM
"In disease, lung microbiota diversify". Fascinating talk by Dr. Mike Cox @resp-micro.bsky.social at #FOG2025 - especially relevant for severe #asthma!
#Immunology #ImmunoSky #MedSky
#Immunology #ImmunoSky #MedSky
Wish they'd have got a microbiologist to do the gut microbiome bit of the Christmas Lectures this year! Really disappointing a real microbiome expert didn't get to share their knowledge.
January 1, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Wish they'd have got a microbiologist to do the gut microbiome bit of the Christmas Lectures this year! Really disappointing a real microbiome expert didn't get to share their knowledge.