Have you wondered what the wet lab success rates are for current AI-driven protein design models? Look no further!

In our new review, @kevinkaichuang.bsky.social
@avapamini.bsky.social, @sarahalamdari.bsky.social, and I report wet lab success rates for *over 200* different protein design tasks 🧬💻

cAMP triggers the turbo for swimming speed in 𝘝𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘦 O1 AJ10 via its light-responsive adenylate cyclase, a cyaA variant in some but not all 𝘝𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘦 strains/isolates (of course, also CRP is involved)

#MicroSky 🙏for the shoutout @cyrilpedia.bsky.social

An enhanced domestication method for uncultured bacteria Abstract. When environmental bacteria transition to laboratory conditions, a process termed domestication, the shift from the native habitat to a culture m

Most bacteria remain uncultured with vast microbial ‘dark matter’ awaiting discovery.. to address this am excited to share EDEN - an enhanced domestication method to grow uncultured bacteria & new diversity. Using EDEN we isolate a new species active against MDR pathogens..

doi.org/10.1093/isme...

Identification of hot spring Obelisk-like RNA replicons and expanded diversity of the Obelisk superfamily - Nature Communications In this study, the authors identify circular RNAs replicating in high-temperature hot spring environments and demonstrate that ccc RNA replicons belonging to the Obelisk superfamily are more diverse and widespread than previously recognized, revealing hidden RNA systems in natural environments.

Identification of hot spring Obelisk-like RNA replicons and expanded diversity of the Obelisk superfamily | Nature Communications https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-71096-6

#microsky

#microsky

A bacterial CARD–NLR-like immune system controls the release of gene transfer agents Nature Microbiology, Published online: 16 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02316-4An immunity-like system functions as a lysis control hub to promote gene transfer agent particle release from host bacterial cells, suggesting that bacterial immune systems may be co-opted to promote horizontal gene transfer.

Out Now! A bacterial CARD–NLR-like immune system controls the release of gene transfer agents #MicroSky

A Study Published This Month Found Drug-Resistant Bacteria in the Sewers of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. A Lancet Study Found 83% of Indian Patients Carry Superbugs — the… In April 2026, CSIR's Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology published a study in Nature Communications analysing 447 samples from 19 sites across the sewers of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai ...

pagen.one/story/2026-0...

These Bacteria Digest Toxic Metals And Poop Out Tiny Gold Nuggets No other life form on our planet has infiltrated every environment as successfully as the minuscule single cells of bacteria.

www.sciencealert.com/bacteria-pro...

#microsky

Microbial single-cell omics in situ Microbial single-cell studies have largely followed the steps of mammalian single-cell technology. Lan et al. develop a laser-based approach where bacterial cells are collected from complex communitie...

Laser-induced forward transfer technology now delivers high-quality single-cell genomes/transcriptomes from complex gut and tumor samples. Scalable, precise, and perfect for host-microbe insights.
#microbiology #SingleCell #Genomics
@cellpress.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell-genomic...

Breathing both ways: simultaneous aerobic–anaerobic respiration in microbes Microorganisms have historically been classified as obligate aerobes or anaerobes, facultative anaerobes, or microaerophiles, reflecting differences in respiratory strategies dictated by the use of ox...

Breathing both ways: simultaneous aerobic–anaerobic respiration in microbes: Trends in Microbiology www.cell.com/trends/micro...

Mucosal vaccination in mice provides protection from diverse respiratory threats Traditional vaccines target specific pathogens, limiting their scope against diverse respiratory threats. We describe an intranasal liposomal formulation combining toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and 7/8 ligands with a model antigen, ovalbumin, that provided ...

Exciting new work from the team @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social on a multi-respiratory pathogen vaccine

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

From the tech community on Reddit: Naturally Occurring Bacteria Completely Eradicate Tumors in Mice With a Single Dose Explore this post and more from the tech community

www.reddit.com/r/tech/s/FWi...

Cool!

Extracellular matrix chemistry tunes bacterial biofilm metabolism and optimizes fitness

#microsky

Pilot study confirms cost-effective way to combat ICU drug-resistant infections A QUT-led pilot study has shown the use of a relatively simple and cost-effective method of monitoring the presence of infectious disease-causing bacteria in intensive care units and their sites of…

Study confirms cost-effective way to combat #ICU #drug-resistant #infections ...

| #microbes | #DrugResistance | #infections | #outbreaks | Via @sciencex.bsky.social

The phage nucleus synergizes with an anti-defense protein to resist bacterial immunity Morgan et al. show that a phage-encoded protein functions as an antitoxin to counter DarTG2-mediated phage defense. They further explore the interplay between this anti-defense protein, the phage nucleus replication compartment, which encloses chimallivirus genomes, and the DarTG2 phage defense system.

The phage nucleus synergizes with an anti-defense protein to resist bacterial immunity: Cell Reports www.cell.com/cell-reports...

A penicillin-binding protein inhibitor series to target drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae Nature Microbiology, Published online: 08 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02309-3Emerging multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a global health threat in the treatment of gonorrhoea. This study reports the discovery and characterization of a promising antigonorrhoea agent that addresses antibiotic resistance.

Out Now! A penicillin-binding protein inhibitor series to target drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae #MicroSky

#microsky

Strange bacteria that scientists have never seen before is found inside beached sperm whales Scientists have identified three previously unknown types of stomach bacteria living inside pygmy sperm whales. The discovery links these elusive animals to a hidden network of microbes that may be quietly affecting their health in ways researchers are only beginning to recognize. Beached sperm whale bacteria In six of nine stomach samples from four stranded

Strange bacteria that scientists have never seen before is found inside beached sperm whales #EarthDotCom #EarthSnap #Earth

BBC World Service - Discovery, Superbugs: Resistance rising, part 1 Antibiotic resistant bacteria is rising - is a great global crisis on the horizon?

Interesting BBC Podcast series (3 parts) on antibiotics and resistance

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...

Bacterial 2′,3′-cGAMP activates a SAVED effector to form membrane-disrupting filaments and restrict phage replication Tak et al. discover that bacteria use 2′,3′-cGAMP, the same signaling molecule employed by mammalian cGAS-STING, for phage defense. In response to phage, 2′,3′-cGAMP activates filament formation of Ca...

Bacterial 2′,3′-cGAMP activates a SAVED effector to form membrane-disrupting filaments and restrict phage replication: Cell Host & Microbe www.cell.com/cell-host-mi...

#microsky

Dermcidin has antiviral activity and protects against influenza | PNAS Despite the high incidence of influenza virus infections, one-fifth of people infected with influenza remain asymptomatic. The mechanisms associate...

Dermcidin has antiviral activity and protects against influenza | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

#microsky

Co-opting the bacterial lipoprotein pathway for the biosynthesis of lipidated macrocyclic peptides | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

Imported, not invented, genes prevail among Escherichia coli ORFans | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

#microsky

The radical SAM enzyme EpeE exhibits distinct site reactivity during the biosynthesis of the RiPP natural product epipeptide | PNAS Radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) enzymes figure prominently in the formation of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified pepti...

The radical SAM enzyme EpeE exhibits distinct site reactivity during the biosynthesis of the RiPP natural product epipeptide | PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

#microsky

#microsky

Anti-type VI tactics: bacterial defenses against type VI secretion system attacks Survival of bacteria in dense and competitive microbial communities depends on their ability to access nutrients or outcompete neighboring cells. One of the key players in competition is the type VI s...

www.cell.com/trends/bioch...

Viruses can 'eavesdrop' on each other - and sometimes get tricked Rival viruses can eavesdrop on each other’s chemical signals, sometimes triggering the wrong response and changing how infections unfold.

Viruses can 'eavesdrop' on each other - and sometimes get tricked: www.earth.com/news/viruses...

#microsky

Reviving a Forgotten Microbiology Heroine in a Graphic Novel | The Scientist Scientists and artists honor Fanny Angelina Hesse’s overlooked role in making agar a culture medium through illustrations and unpublished historical materials.

www.the-scientist.com/reviving-a-f...

Domesticated Microbes: Lena Pernas on Mitochondria and Metabolic Immunity | The Scientist UCLA microbiologist Lena Pernas explains how mitochondria compete with parasites like Toxoplasma gondii for nutrients to defend host cells.

www.the-scientist.com/using-domest...