Bacterial rRNAs are highly modified, but their functions are often mysterious. Zac Park says that methylation of 16S rRNA by MraW(RsmH) enhances translation of structured mRNAs. Thus, mRNA structure and rRNA modifications likely co-evolved to fine-tune protein dosage.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

My super department @warwicklifesci.bsky.social is hiring 6 assistant profs in the wake of recent retirements. We're looking for people in microbiology/infection, cellular disease / immunity; environmental biology; and plant/crop science. #MicroSky warwick-careers.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...

Phage homing endonuclease amplifies anti-defense genes to evade bacterial immunity - Nature Communications Phages employ diverse counter-defense strategies to overcome bacterial immune systems. Here, the authors reveal that the phage homing nuclease SegB facilitates immune evasion by promoting the segmenta...

Happy to share our new work on how phages escape bacterial immunity.

We show that a phage homing endonuclease drives segmental amplification of anti-defense genes, pointing to a versatile and rapid mode of adaptation.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

#PhageSky #MicroSky

I'm looking for #NewPIs (<3 years as lab heads) in the gene regulation/functional genomics space. If you are one or know one, please comment below! 🧪

#joboffer #Germany
plz spread it

I'm hiring a Junior leader (E13; 100% for 3-5 y) to start own independence w/ focus on #CryoEM SPA or ET
Ideally 1-2y postdoc experience

Plz get in touch, if you are interested in #Structural biology & #MicroBiochem

@sfb1381.bsky.social @vaam-microbes.bsky.social

Just a few days left‼️
Abstract submission deadline for MEEHubs2026 is April 19! Come present at one of the hubs August 3-5, 2026✨

Links and more info here: meehubs.org

The Social Lives of Viruses is coming to Vancouver, Canada, from 4th-8th August 2026!

This is a free meeting dedicated to all aspects of virus-virus interactions & evolution.

To apply: socialviruses.zoology.ubc.ca

@sociovirology.bsky.social #socialviruses #evosky #lovevirology #virosky

A job posting flyer from the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison advertising a Teaching Faculty II position. The role involves coordinating and teaching microbiology lab courses and/or large enrollment introductory classes. The application deadline is May 5, 2026, at 11:59pm CDT. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Jobs at UW portal; emailed applications are not accepted. Applicants must upload a single document containing a cover letter, CV, and teaching philosophy. The job listing URL is https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/teaching-faculty-ii-madison-wisconsin-united-states, Job ID JR10009916. The flyer notes that Madison, Wisconsin is described as a vibrant place to live and work, combining college-town energy, lakeside scenery, and a community-focused atmosphere.

Interested in a teaching faculty position in Bacteriology at UW-Madison? See the attached announcement! @uwbact.bsky.social

Rapid evolution of Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilms in vitro delineates adaptive changes selected during infection - Nature Communications Biofilm formation on implanted medical devices facilitates infection by the pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae. Here, Zaborskytė et al. use experimental evolution to show that the bacteria rapidly evolve ...

🆒 new pub!
Rapid evolution of Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilms in vitro -> adaptations selected during infection by @gretazabo.bsky.social & Linus Sandegren
*hypermucoidy evolves via 📈c-di-GMP, overlaps w/ mutations in UTI and wound isolates.
*pleasure to advise this!

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

REMINDER - Abstract submission deadline for MEEHubs2026 is April 19! Get you abstract in and present at one of the hubs August 3-5, 2026✨You'll be in great company! We have a fantastic lineup of speakers‼️

Links and more info here: meehubs.org

Excited to share our new paper out today in @science.org 🎉

We show that HGT via natural competence drives diversification of chromosomal integrons in V. cholerae 🤩

Below a 🧵 on key findings incl. background on natural competence in V. cholerae 1/
#microsky #phagesky
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

cDNA-guided functional selection uncovers selective defense systems against RNA phages Bacteria encode diverse antiphage defense systems, yet mechanisms that target RNA phages remain comparatively underexplored. Here, we used a cDNA-based functional selection strategy to systematically identify genes that confer resistance to RNA phage infection independently of receptor variation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This approach uncovered previously uncharacterized antiphage defense systems, most of which are located within genomic islands, consistent with their being bona fide components of bacterial immune systems. Several systems conferred selective resistance to RNA phages and their carriage was associated with pilin variability, suggesting layered anti-phage immunity. Among these systems, Zws is the most prevalent RNA phage defense system and functions as a multidomain effector. Structural modeling and in vitro cleavage assays showed that ZwsA is an RNA endonuclease that selectively cleaves RNA phage genomes through a predicted NERD domain. Together, these findings expand the current framework of bacterial antiphage immunity and highlight the power of functional genomics to uncover cryptic components of the bacterial antiviral arsenal. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. National Research Foundation of Korea, RS-2022-NR070540, RS-2022-NR067344, RS-2025-16069174

cDNA-guided functional selection uncovers selective defense systems against RNA phages | bioRxiv www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04...

Definitely the product of natural evolution and not my cats on the keyboard vibe-coding

Had to blast to to untangle how this happened…

‼️ Excited to announce 1st session of #KlebClub2026!

We kick things off with a session on pathogenesis, with *Jay Vornhagen* as keynote speaker, alongside 2 short talks selected from submitted abstracts - Sylvie MIQUEL & @microbiosaroj.bsky.social

🗓 Thursday 9
🕘 9:00 -10:30 AM (EDT)

(1/2)

Phage receptor prediction from genome sequencing alone. Bacterial receptor (blue) interacting with phage proteins (purple) is shown here

📣Huge preprint 🔔
Today we share something our group has been working toward for a long time, led by @lucasmoriniere.bsky.social We asked can we predict which receptor a phage targets from its genome sequence alone? For most phages, we couldn’t. So Lucas set out to do something I had only dreamed of.

Open Call for Editors at mBio, Microbiology Spectrum, mSphere, and mSystems ASM welcomes microbiologists globally to join the Boards of Editors for mBio, mSphere, mSystems, and Microbiology Spectrum.

Open Call for Editors at mBio, Microbiology Spectrum, mSphere, and mSystems at @asm.org

journals.asm.org/editor-open-...

[deadline: April 24 at 11:59 p.m. ET]

Cool tool to capture genes using a hunter gatherer 🦠
Large-scale recovery of integron cassettes for gene discovery screens www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
by @jaescudero.bsky.social @afpcarvalho.bsky.social @filipatr.bsky.social

Expanding the LuxR-type receptor functional repertoire: Protein-protein interactions in quorum sensing regulation Quorum sensing (QS) enables bacteria to coordinate gene expression in response to population density, with LuxR-type transcription factors playing a central role in this process for many Gram-negative...

A true labor of love for @calebmallery.bsky.social is out now in PLOS Pathogens: a review article where we highlight current and emerging examples of key protein-protein interactions with LuxR-type receptors that control community behaviors and pathogenesis.
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...

Captain Haddock looking very frazzled, saying, “What a week, huh?” Tintin leans into the frame and says, “Captain, it’s Wednesday.” Snowy aka Milou is very excited about the drink he has found. Viñeta de Tintin El capitán Haddock, sentado a una mesa y con aspecto de estar agotado, dice: "¡Menuda semana, ¿eh?". Tintín, a su derecha, le dice: "Capitán, es miércoles". A la izquierda, Milú mira muy contento la bebida que está en la mesa.

Adding dogs to ggplot2 with ggdogs Add dogs to ggplot2 charts instead of points with ggdogs. There are 15 types of dogs available to select using the geom_dog function of the package

ggdogs already exists: r-charts.com/miscellaneou...

Apply to be an editor at an ASM Journal! Open call for editors at mBio, mSphere, mSystems, and Microbiology Spectrum. This is a very fulfilling way to share your expertise and give back to our society journals. @asm.org journals.asm.org/asm-call-for...

🔊 Looking for a Research Assistant in Bacterial Evolution to join my lab 🦠
🥼Main duties: Research (AMR + microbiome) + lab assistance.
⏲️ Post duration: 30 months
🗓️ Closing date for applications: 20th April 2026
💰 Salary: ~£35k

Details and how to apply: tinyurl.com/2a3v66y7

Please share!

Open Positions -

Open postdoc position in my lab on HGT and interbacterial competition. We seek candidates with a PhD in microbiology (or related fields)+ strong 1st-author publications.
Curious, highly motivated, and dedicated team players ready to contribute fully are encouraged to apply. Details: tiny.cc/cz01101

Poster abstracts and early bird registrations for the 31st Annual Meeting of the RNA Society are due by March 31st!

RNA 2026 website: rnasociety.org/conferences/

#RNA26

So happy to see this finally published in @plosbiology.org!

This is the first chapter of @julielebris.bsky.social PhD thesis demonstrating how capsules are exchanged by plug-and-play dynamics
w/ @epcrocha.bsky.social
#microsky @klebclub.bsky.social
Link below-
Check out her 🧵 for more details!

RNase E resolves toxic condensates by counteracting phase separation of Type II RhlB helicases www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.03...

Research Fellow (Postdoctoral) at University of Birmingham Explore an exciting academic career as a Research Fellow (Postdoctoral). Don't miss out on other academic jobs. Click to apply and explore more opportunities.

Two post-doctoral positions open in our lab. We're looking for people with expertise in molecular microbiology and/or genome-scale tools. Initially 3 yrs, posts could be extended for upto 8 yrs. If you'd like to know more about us take a look at www.graingerlab.com

www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQY475/r...

Taxonomic composition and ecophysiology of resident bacteria associated with marine phytoplankton - Nature Ecology & Evolution This study reveals that some bacteria living in the phycosphere of marine diatoms and dinoflagellates are host-specific with genomic functions matching their hosts, while some termed as ‘foundation’ b...

Taxonomic composition and ecophysiology of resident bacteria associated with marine phytoplankton www.nature.com/articles/s41... #jcampubs 🌊