ASM
LightNews LightNews
banner
asm.org
ASM
@asm.org
4.3K followers 150 following 610 posts
Official account of the American Society for Microbiology. With over 38,000 members, ASM's mission is to promote & advance the microbial sciences.
Posts Replies Media Videos
asm.org
Dust looks dead but it is, in fact, alive, teeming with hardy microbes traveling around the world. How are they surviving the trip? Scientists think biofilm formation may play a role. Watch Microbial Minutes for the full story! 🦠 youtu.be/3q-rhw17h2o
Bioflim Formation and the Dust Microbiome
YouTube video by American Society for Microbiology
youtu.be
January 9, 2026 at 5:31 PM
asm.org
You're Invited! Join Cases in Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases 5e authors Melissa Miller & Kyle Rodino
Jan. 29 at 12 p.m. ET for a free #ASMPress–Wiley webinar on using case-based teaching to enhance the learner's experience. Register now at: asm.social/2Ld
Join Melissa Miller and Kyle Rodino on Jan. 29 for a chat about the 5th edition of "Cases in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases."
January 9, 2026 at 2:51 PM
asm.org
Despite the success of existing anti-TB drugs in controlling transmission, significant challenges remain. Future strategies should explore the potential of cell-based therapies, suggests this #ClinMicroRev article: asm.social/2L5
Application of cells and cytokines in TB and DR-TB.
January 8, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Reposted by ASM
geiselbiofilm.bsky.social
JB Editor's Choice: Galyon, Atomi & Santangelo describe the history of Thermococcales as a model system, & where the field is going. A great primer for this organism.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
@asm.org #JBacteriology

See our whole Model Systems collection! journals.asm.org/topic/sss-ta...
January 8, 2026 at 2:36 PM
asm.org
⏰ Deadline extended! Don’t miss your chance to share how you’re using AI in STEM. 🤖📚 Submit your work to #JMBE’s 2025–2026 special series on AI in STEM education.📝 Deadline: Jan. 31. asm.social/2L1
Deadline extended! Submit practical and positive uses of AI in STEM education to JMBE by Jan. 31.
January 8, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Reposted by ASM
geiselbiofilm.bsky.social
JB Editor's Choice: Morales Moreira, Haney et al. explore the conservation of genes required for production of the nitroimidazole antibiotic azomycin, made by a variety of pseudomonads. And show that this compound can kill omycete pathogens.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
@asm.org #JBacteriology
January 7, 2026 at 4:50 PM
asm.org
How does E. coli age? According to this #mBio study, the the decisive factor driving growth decline in E. coli is not the presence of protein aggregates, but the fraction of the intracellular space they occupy. Learn more: asm.social/2KZ
Fluorescence increases over time in mother cells due to aggregates.
January 7, 2026 at 5:38 PM
asm.org
Vibrio fischeri & bobtail squids share a fascinating symbiosis that shapes squid development & survival. 🦑🦠 Learn how scientists study this symbiosis to understand broader animal-host interactions: asm.social/2KW
Bobtail squid
January 6, 2026 at 7:17 PM
asm.org
Why does African microbiome research matter worldwide? Find out at the next mSystems Thinking Series webinar:

🌍 One Health & the African Microbiome
🗓 Jan 9 | ⏰ 9 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. WAT
✅ Register for free! asm.social/2KU
#Microbiome #Africa #OneHealth #mSystems
Register Now for the Next mSystems Thinking Series One Health and the African Microbiome Jan. 9, 2026 9 a.m. ET (3 p.m. West Africa Time)
January 6, 2026 at 4:29 PM
asm.org
The rationale for the recent updates to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule is at best uncertain and sets a potentially dangerous precedent for public health. Read our statement: asm.org/press-releas...
Protecting a country’s public health presents unique challenges that are specific to that country’s population. The prevalence of diseases in the U.S. is not the same as it is in other countries, and public health recommendations should be made based on the public health challenges faced by the American people.
January 5, 2026 at 10:20 PM
asm.org
The latest virology research shapes public health in real time. 🌍

Join us to explore how traditional food markets sustain millions but also pose zoonotic risks—and how One Health strategies can reduce them without disrupting livelihoods.

asm.social/2KR
Zoonotic Disease Risk at Traditional Food Markets January 29, 2026 Frida E. Sparaciari, Ph.D., Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tuli Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D. (moderator), Indiana University Stacey Schultz-Cherry, Ph.D. (host), Co-Editor in Chief, Journal of Virology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital journals.asm.org
January 5, 2026 at 7:44 PM
asm.org
Photoactive Yellow Protein (PYP) is a model system for functional protein dynamics. This #JBacteriology study presents genes that are candidates for being functionally related to PYP to help identify the signal transduction chain of PYP. asm.social/2KP
Summary of experimental data on the physiological functions initiated by PYP. Many aspects of the signal transduction chains involved remain unknown.
January 5, 2026 at 6:42 PM
asm.org
Enterococcus faecalis is one of the most commonly isolated pathogens from chronic wounds. In #IAIJournal, researchers report that the bacterium survives and replicates intracellularly within neutrophils, which may contribute to its ability to persist. asm.social/2KO
Intracellular clusters of E. faecalis within neutrophils in the murine wound bed at 24 h p.i. Mice were wounded and infected with 106 CFU of E. faecalis OG1RF.
January 5, 2026 at 4:41 PM
asm.org
The ASM office will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025 through Friday, Jan. 2, 2026 for the holidays. We wish you a safe and happy holiday and look forward to connecting online together in the new year!
December 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
asm.org
A new amoeba species called Incendiamoeba cascadensis that lives & reproduces at the highest temperature ever described for a eukaryote, earning the title of “fire amoeba”. asm.org/podcasts/tin... A big welcome to Tiny Living Beings (@couchmicroscopy.bsky.social) as the newest ASM Podcast partner!
Introducing the Fire Amoeba - with Angela Oliverio and Beryl Rappaport
A new amoeba species called Incendiamoeba cascadensis that lives and reproduces at the highest temperature ever described for a eukaryote, earning the title of “fire amoeba”.
asm.org
December 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
asm.org
Want to pick the brain of a leading virologist? 🧠
Join Frida Sparaciari to discuss her new research on zoonotic risks in traditional food markets and ask questions live. Learn how One Health strategies can reduce risk while preserving livelihoods. asm.social/2Kr
Zoonotic Disease Risk at Traditional Food Markets January 29, 2026 Frida E. Sparaciari, Ph.D., Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tuli Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D. (moderator), Indiana University Stacey Schultz-Cherry, Ph.D. (host), Co-Editor in Chief, Journal of Virology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital journals.asm.org
December 22, 2025 at 9:59 PM
asm.org
#MicrobiologyMonday: In Korean culture, Sonmat means “hand flavor”—the idea that hands influence kimchi’s taste. 🥬🤲 A study found links between hand microbes and kimchi microbes, plus differences in group vs solo Kimjang prep. Learn more: asm.social/2Kj
Experimental overview of the Kimjang kimchi session during the Sonmat festival. Two sessions were organized. In the first session, participants made kimchi in a group (see the left-hand panel figure). During the second session, kimchi was prepared individually (the right-hand panel), and skin microbiota samples were taken from the hands before the start. Kimchi fermentations were followed up in the lab by observing gas production and measuring pH after 3days. Microbial community composition was determined through V4-16S rRNA sequencing of both hand and kimchi samples, and overlap in bacterial taxa (at the level of amplicon sequence variants [ASVs]) was determined. Photographer—Willem Devriendt, Photogenica Fotografie
December 22, 2025 at 3:06 PM
asm.org
Kick off #IMARI26 with an opening ceremony featuring experts + patient advocates on the challenges and opportunities of #AMR – foreshadowing the inspiring expert conversations to come.

Learn more: asm.social/2Kc

Join us: asm.social/2Kd
Antimicrobial resistance: facing the challenge now.
December 22, 2025 at 12:20 PM
asm.org
Research on HIV's conical capsid ultimately led to lenacapavir, the first capsid inhibitor. The drug's double-decade journey underscores the value of basic science research today to support the generation of innovative drugs for the future. Read the story: asm.org/articles/202...
How HIV Capsid Research Sparked a New Era in Prevention | ASM.org
Research on HIV’s capsid led to lenacapavir, the first capsid inhibitor. The drug’s 20-year journey shows how sustained basic science leads to innovations in HIV prevention and treatment.
asm.org
December 19, 2025 at 6:06 PM
asm.org
Save the date! Join "Cases in Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 5e authors" Melissa Miller & Kyle Rodino Jan. 29 at 12 p.m. ET for a free #ASMPress-@wileymicrobio webinar on using case-based teaching to enhance the learner experience. Register at: asm.social/2K4
Register for "Cases in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases: A Chat With the Authors" Jan. 29 at 12 p.m. ET
December 19, 2025 at 3:11 PM
asm.org
Phages exert selective pressure that can “steer” bacteria toward increased antibiotic susceptibility. In #JBacteriology, researchers review the state of phage steering research + guidelines emphasizing receptor identification for therapeutic design. asm.social/2JX
Receptor-based phage defense mechanisms used by P. aeruginosa. Single-cell level resistance mechanisms include (A) complete loss of the receptor, (B) modification of the receptor through mutations, or (C) post-translational modifications to block the receptor. Community-level resistance can be achieved through (D) phase variation of receptor expression, (E) release of outer membrane vesicles that contain the receptor, and (F) formation of extracellular matrices. (G) Lysogens can become resistant through expression of a prophage-encoded version of the receptor.
December 18, 2025 at 7:27 PM
asm.org
Optimize antimicrobial development with PK-PD insights.

Join the #IMARI26 pre-meeting workshop “Translating Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics to Optimize Antimicrobial Development” with Shields, Tängdén & Andes.

📅 Add it when you register ➡️ asm.social/2JS
Join leaders in infectious diseases pharmacology for “Translating Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics to Optimize Antimicrobial Development and Clinical Utility.”
December 18, 2025 at 12:08 PM
asm.org
Leading microbial researchers and innovators discussed scientific breakthroughs, emerging applications and workforce needs with policymakers and staff at ASM’s Congressional briefing, “Microbial Innovations: Harnessing Microbes for the Future.” See more: asm.social...
Presenters at ASM's Congressional briefing on Dec. 17, 2025
December 17, 2025 at 7:59 PM
asm.org
Virtual reality (VR) is a natural evolution from the microscope and the petri dish. New in #JMBE: a VR environment to teach undergraduates how to diagnose a range of human parasitic diseases. Learn more about integrating VR into a microbiology curriculum: asm.social/2JP
Virtual environment within the Human Parasite VR module simulating (A) a consultation room and (B) a medical laboratory.
December 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by ASM
aditijain.bsky.social
A range of initiatives and engagements are underway. We invite the community to stay connected through the ASM WhatsApp Channel for updates on institutional visits, travel awards, calls for editors, special collections, the latest issue of Microcosm, and other key announcements.
December 16, 2025 at 2:33 PM