Using X-ray Crystallography and 1,n-ADEQUATE NMR to Revise the Structures of Highly Substituted Aromatic Natural Products: The Absolute Configuration of Formicamycin Congeners Formicamycins and their biosynthetic precursors, the fasamycins, form part of the phenylnaphthacenoid family of polyketide natural products. A recent atroposelective total synthesis of formicamycin H brought into question our original stereochemical assignment of the axially chiral linkage between C-6 and C-7. To address this, we obtained an X-ray crystal structure for formicamycin H that unambiguously confirmed our original assignment as the Sa atropisomer. X-ray structures for multiple additional fasamycins and formicamycins confirmed that this is common to all congeners. However, these studies identified a compounded error made by us whereby several structures previously reported as para-methoxy were found to have ortho-methoxy groups on the hanging E-ring. To address this for congeners that did not crystallize or gave nondiffracting crystals, we turned to the surprisingly underutilized 1,n-ADEQUATE NMR experiment. In total, we generated X-ray structures for 15 phenylnaphthacenoid metabolites and by combining these results report the corrected structures for three formicamycins, six fasamycins, and three biosynthetic lactone intermediates, noting that several revised fasamycin structures now match previously reported naphthacemycins. Our results highlight the utility of 1,n-ADEQUATE experiments for regiochemical determination in polysubstituted aromatic molecules. Moreover, our investigations uncovered a potential deracemization step during biosynthesis of the formicamycin framework.

New paper with @barriewilks.bsky.social. There are many reports on fasamycins and formicamycins (aka accramycins, naphthacemycins, streptovertimycins). Here, we unambiguously solve their structures and stereochemistry. A great effort, led by Dr Edward Hems

pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

A bacterial CARD–NLR-like immune system controls the release of gene transfer agents - Nature Microbiology An 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 ...

Delighted to share our latest work on gene transfer agents (GTAs). We found a lysis control hub which allows GTAs to escape their bacterial host cells and transfer DNA 🧬 between bacteria. Thanks to @tunglejic.bsky.social, all co-authors, and our amazing collaborators!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

🎉New paper out from the lab, led by @baptistepiqueret.bsky.social: ant larvae chemically suppress the reproduction of their caregivers. bit.ly/4t8uZLG
An example of how social interactions are regulated at the molecular level. The work was made possible by the unique environment @mpi-ce.bsky.social

🚨 Why can’t mammals regenerate limbs like frog tadpoles or salamanders?
In our new paper in @science.org , we show that species-specific oxygen sensing acts as a gatekeeper for initiating limb regeneration 🐭🐸
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #EvoDevo

New data from the lab, showing how fungicides can drive rapid selection for multidrug resistance In soil bacteria - even under warming. This was probably the most clear cut data I’ve ever seen (collected by @kelbrick.bsky.social), with clear selection on efflux pump regulator PFLU_3160. Enjoy!

Pablo Villar et al discover male octopus mating arms are sensory organs used to find females, navigate internally to the oviduct & deliver sperm. From behavior to structure, these findings offer a framework for how sensory systems shape reproduction & species barriers
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Such great news, Thorsten 🎉 Congratulations and all the best setting up!!

Now that it's official i've got some news! Our group has moved from @mpi-bio-fml.bsky.social to @unihalle.bsky.social where I am now leading the department for phytopathology and plant protection 🍄🌾🧬

The Microbe Zoo will be going to the Royal Society summer science exhibition 2026!!! Fantastic achievement by @sawtrust.bsky.social and @norwichmicro.bsky.social

royalsociety.org/science-even...

Today’s @johninnescentre.bsky.social @thesainsburylab.bsky.social Friday seminar is a glimpse into the future with Julia Mahamid, Molecular Systems Biology Unit @embl “Enabling discovery by in-cell structural biology”

Hosted by @saskiahogenhout.bsky.social

I am very grateful to be featured discussing my work on transcription associated proteins and TAPscan @rensingstefan.bsky.social
Many thanks to @theplantjournal.bsky.social for the opportunity and recognition!

Diverse starch granules from different grass species.

Congratulations to the Seung group for its @currentbiology.bsky.social article based on a survey of 105 species in the grass family Pooideae 🌾: www.cell.com/current-biol...

Transposable elements hitchhike on Starships across fungal genomes - Nature Communications Large mobile genetic elements known as Starships act as vehicles for transferring transposable elements (TEs) between fungi. Here, Griem-Krey et al. show that these ‘hitchhiking’ TEs can drive rapid e...

Now out!
We show that TEs can be horizontally transferred between fungal species via Starships. Once transferred, these TEs can become active, changing the genome organization and affecting the lifestyle of the recipient fungus.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@oggenfussursula.bsky.social #TEsky

It’s time to say farewell to ERC Research Group Leader Thorsten Langner after nearly 3 years at the institute. He reflects on his time here, key milestones, and what’s next: tinyurl.com/2vce2d6k
Congratulations on your new position—we wish you and your team all the best for the future!

Evolution of host–microbe symbioses: linking horizontal gene transfer to ecological function at Queen Mary University of London on FindAPhD.com PhD Project - Evolution of host–microbe symbioses: linking horizontal gene transfer to ecological function at Queen Mary University of London, listed on FindAPhD.com

🚨 PhD opportunity in evolutionary microbiology!

Join our lab to study how horizontal gene transfer drives host–microbe symbioses and ecological function

Plus: a PDRA position in comparative genomics is available

✉️ l.henry@qmul.qc.uk

Apply below

#PhD #Postdoc #Microbiology #Evolution #Genomics

What an amazing #Fungal26✨ Feeling very inspired– thank you to everyone who shared science and ideas! Thank you to the organisers for my poster award, @gensocuk.bsky.social for sponsoring my attendance and huge thank you @talbotlabtsl.bsky.social for these past years! I will miss the Talbot Lab.

We found that Rickia wasmannii, known from Myrmica workers, also infects queens, males, and larvae, with spillover to nest associates (incl. Lomechusa).
doi.org/10.1007/s000...

Complex dynamics in the ant microcosm --> more ant–fungus work coming

@insectessociaux.bsky.social
@dhaelewa.bsky.social

Hard to think the EMBO/EMBL symposium on the cellular mechanics of #symbiosis is already over @embl.org. Some personal scientific heroes in there, and a very unique collegial and open minded vibe (and great dancers💃🏻 ) #EESSymbiosis
Wonderful way to reconnect with science after 🐣! #womeninscience

PRESS RELEASE - The Garfield Weston Foundation invests £5m in world-class research facilities

Alongside our partner @thesainsburylab.bsky.social, we are delighted to announce a £5m investment from @westonfdn.bsky.social

www.jic.ac.uk/press-releas...

Wonderful news, Adria! Congratulations 🎉

That’s a wrap on our Mechanics of Symbiosis meeting in Heidelberg 🎉

Had an amazing time organizing this with @berasymbionts.bsky.social, @floravincent.bsky.social & Tom Richards. Safe trip home everyone!
#EESSymbiosis @events.embl.org

Looking forward to welcoming @camilla-moli.bsky.social to the lab!! Here’s to the wonderful science ahead @thesainsburylab.bsky.social ! 🍄🦠🔬🪲

Announcing StrainVis! 🦠🧫🧪

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

This nifty web-based tool allows you to visualize your strain level analyses. You can combine ANI and synteny based analyses and it will make all kinds of cool publication ready plots for you - examples follow. By Hagay Enav and Inbal Paz:

Last day in the group for ⁦‪Camilla Molinari‬⁩ who will join ⁦‪@berasymbionts‬⁩.bsky.social soon, after she presents her great work at #Fungal26.

I am extremely grateful to receive a Research Leadership Award from the Leverhulme Trust to study the epigenetic mechanisms underlying environmental stress memory in crops @dundee.ac.uk and @hutton.ac.uk 🍓🍅🌱

I’ll be advertising positions in our group soon - stay tuned!

buff.ly/pI5Bqoo

Fungal symbioses: A multiplicity of fungi in the lichen union Increasing evidence suggests that lichens are not just a partnership between one fungus and one alga or cyanobacterium but may contain multiple intera…

New Dispatch article on the multitude of fungal symbionts now being reported in lichens, led by @puginiercamille.bsky.social

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

WEES March Seminar & Master Class: "Molecular evolution in a defensive symbiosis", Dr. Aileen Berasategui

📍 Master Class Time: 12 March, 14:00 Contact: b.taboada@nioo.knaw.nl (for details)

📍 Seminar Time: 12 March, 16:00 Location: Orion C1040, WUR

Postdoctoral researcher in molecular and cellular bacteriology - ERC CoG VAMPIRE The research group of Prof Géraldine Laloux at the de Duve Institute (UCLouvain) is looking for a highly motivated postdoc to elucidate the molecular factors underlying bacterial prey-predator interac...

#MicroSky Please RT
@erc.europa.eu-funded postdoc position in my lab to identify the molecular basis of prey-predator interactions using our favorite micro-vampire Bdellovibrio exovorus as a model.
Let's find what the bite is made of! 🧛
Flexible start date.
Info: euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/415877

This is a great post doc opportunity- fantastic system, first-rate science, awesome PI

Yesterday I defended my PhD and I couldn't be happier. An incredible journey full of fascinating questions 🪲 and amazing people. Grateful for the support of my advisor @hassansalem.bsky.social, my committee, labmates, family, friends, and the @mpi-bio-fml.bsky.social

Excited for the next chapter 🐝