Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
@bramvandijk.bsky.social
Assistant professor at Utrecht University (Theoretical Biology). Simulating microbes, mobile elements, horizontal gene transfer, and whatever else happens on a grain of sand | 🏳️🌈 | he / they | thevirtuallaboratory.com
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
Very happy to see this piece out in @plosbiology.org, on the bacterial immune systems and microbial communities. It was a great team effort with Rafael Custodio, @brockhurstlab.bsky.social , @brownlab.bsky.social, and Edze Westra! 🦠🧫 #phagesky #mevosky
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Bacterial immune systems as causes and consequences of microbiome structure
Bacterial immune systems have evolved in response to diverse molecular "parasites", yet their ecological roles remain poorly understood. This Essay explores how interactions between mobile genetic ele...
journals.plos.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Very happy to see this piece out in @plosbiology.org, on the bacterial immune systems and microbial communities. It was a great team effort with Rafael Custodio, @brockhurstlab.bsky.social , @brownlab.bsky.social, and Edze Westra! 🦠🧫 #phagesky #mevosky
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Great work by @prczhaoyansong.bsky.social, once again elucidating how much flow of information there is in complex microbial ecosystems.
@prczhaoyansong.bsky.social’s deep dive into the dark matter of compost communities is now out 🎉 Genomic islands hijack jumbo phages—whose capsids enable transfer of large tracts of DNA—shedding new light on the scale & scope of phage-mediated gene flow 😎
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Jumbo phage–mediated transduction of genomic islands | PNAS
Bacteria acquire new genes by horizontal gene transfer, typically mediated by mobile
genetic elements (MGEs). While plasmids, bacteriophages, and c...
www.pnas.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Great work by @prczhaoyansong.bsky.social, once again elucidating how much flow of information there is in complex microbial ecosystems.
Getting old means going to your own Google Scholar and seeing "if you wrote a paper about something"
October 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Getting old means going to your own Google Scholar and seeing "if you wrote a paper about something"
I must admit, PerplexityAI is really blowing my mind when it comes to literature searching. I've been avoiding it but I got stuck and decided to take a swing at it. It gave great papers, got my out of my bubble, and really gave me a fresh perspective. :)
September 15, 2025 at 10:34 AM
I must admit, PerplexityAI is really blowing my mind when it comes to literature searching. I've been avoiding it but I got stuck and decided to take a swing at it. It gave great papers, got my out of my bubble, and really gave me a fresh perspective. :)
Does anyone know a gene in E. coli that duplicated "fairly recently", as to compare and contrast it's sequence divergence with that found in mobile elements?
#sciencesky #microsky
#sciencesky #microsky
September 15, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Does anyone know a gene in E. coli that duplicated "fairly recently", as to compare and contrast it's sequence divergence with that found in mobile elements?
#sciencesky #microsky
#sciencesky #microsky
This picture is too low-res to include in a presentation in 2025, so I went full CSI 😂
I wonder though: even though it copies the copyright statement... this does count as a copyright violation? Thoughts?
I wonder though: even though it copies the copyright statement... this does count as a copyright violation? Thoughts?
September 8, 2025 at 9:50 AM
This picture is too low-res to include in a presentation in 2025, so I went full CSI 😂
I wonder though: even though it copies the copyright statement... this does count as a copyright violation? Thoughts?
I wonder though: even though it copies the copyright statement... this does count as a copyright violation? Thoughts?
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
Willing to join us @pasteur.fr for a PhD for a project on how interactions between mobile genetic elements shape bacterial adaptation? Subject to be tailored to candidates with keen interest in evolution, genomics, computational biology, microbiology. Check www.pasteur.fr/en/education...
September 8, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Willing to join us @pasteur.fr for a PhD for a project on how interactions between mobile genetic elements shape bacterial adaptation? Subject to be tailored to candidates with keen interest in evolution, genomics, computational biology, microbiology. Check www.pasteur.fr/en/education...
A bachelor student gifted me this beautiful artwork she made based on my first year course, and I am sp excited I wanna share it with “the internet” ❤️
September 3, 2025 at 2:38 PM
A bachelor student gifted me this beautiful artwork she made based on my first year course, and I am sp excited I wanna share it with “the internet” ❤️
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
We are also hiring a 4-year postdoc to study the dynamics and evolution of mobile genetic elements in the C-fixing Icelandic host-spring microbiomes
Join our exciting multidisciplinary team funded by @ukri.org BBSRC sLoLa
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Join our exciting multidisciplinary team funded by @ukri.org BBSRC sLoLa
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
August 13, 2025 at 10:41 AM
We are also hiring a 4-year postdoc to study the dynamics and evolution of mobile genetic elements in the C-fixing Icelandic host-spring microbiomes
Join our exciting multidisciplinary team funded by @ukri.org BBSRC sLoLa
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Join our exciting multidisciplinary team funded by @ukri.org BBSRC sLoLa
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
A new 4 year PostDoc position in our lab! Modeling + experiments to explore dynamics of carbon fixing hot-spring microbiomes. Part of an exciting multidisciplinary team with Sophie Nixon, @brockhurstlab.bsky.social & others
Please share & get in touch if interested!
tinyurl.com/e7j7bha3
Please share & get in touch if interested!
tinyurl.com/e7j7bha3
Research Associate in Microbiome Ecology:Oxford Road
www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk
August 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
A new 4 year PostDoc position in our lab! Modeling + experiments to explore dynamics of carbon fixing hot-spring microbiomes. Part of an exciting multidisciplinary team with Sophie Nixon, @brockhurstlab.bsky.social & others
Please share & get in touch if interested!
tinyurl.com/e7j7bha3
Please share & get in touch if interested!
tinyurl.com/e7j7bha3
This is very cool. @sanmillan.bsky.social I wonder to what extend these non-random IS-dynamics are naturally selected for. Could it be the result of a long co-evolutionary history of ISs and bacteria? Are there differences in natural/non-natural antimicrobials?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Plasmids promote antimicrobial resistance through Insertion Sequence-mediated gene inactivation
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a major threat to public health. Plasmids are mobile genetic elements that can rapidly spread across bacterial populations, promoting the dissemination of AMR genes i...
www.biorxiv.org
August 18, 2025 at 8:15 AM
This is very cool. @sanmillan.bsky.social I wonder to what extend these non-random IS-dynamics are naturally selected for. Could it be the result of a long co-evolutionary history of ISs and bacteria? Are there differences in natural/non-natural antimicrobials?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
New paper out! 🔈🔈📣📣
Plasmids promote antimicrobial resistance through Insertion Sequence-mediated gene inactivation.
Combining experimental and computational approaches, we unveil how two of the most prevalent bacterial MGE accelerate the evolution of AMR. 🧵👇🏻
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Plasmids promote antimicrobial resistance through Insertion Sequence-mediated gene inactivation.
Combining experimental and computational approaches, we unveil how two of the most prevalent bacterial MGE accelerate the evolution of AMR. 🧵👇🏻
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Plasmids promote antimicrobial resistance through Insertion Sequence-mediated gene inactivation
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a major threat to public health. Plasmids are mobile genetic elements that can rapidly spread across bacterial populations, promoting the dissemination of AMR genes i...
www.biorxiv.org
August 13, 2025 at 6:26 AM
New paper out! 🔈🔈📣📣
Plasmids promote antimicrobial resistance through Insertion Sequence-mediated gene inactivation.
Combining experimental and computational approaches, we unveil how two of the most prevalent bacterial MGE accelerate the evolution of AMR. 🧵👇🏻
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Plasmids promote antimicrobial resistance through Insertion Sequence-mediated gene inactivation.
Combining experimental and computational approaches, we unveil how two of the most prevalent bacterial MGE accelerate the evolution of AMR. 🧵👇🏻
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
If I were me a few years ago, I would immediately apply. Wonderful environment to work in and Osnabrück is a (suprisingly 😝) fun city.
I am excited to announce that the position of a senior postdoc (3 +3 years) in the field of theoretical biology is available in my group.
The position provides the opportunity to closely interact with experimentalists and develop own research projects.
Please RT.
Details 👇:
shorturl.at/iiiOv
The position provides the opportunity to closely interact with experimentalists and develop own research projects.
Please RT.
Details 👇:
shorturl.at/iiiOv
116 FB 5 Research Assistant (m/f/d) field of Theoretical Ecology and Evolution or Computational Biology: Uni Osnabrück
shorturl.at
August 11, 2025 at 7:09 AM
If I were me a few years ago, I would immediately apply. Wonderful environment to work in and Osnabrück is a (suprisingly 😝) fun city.
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
Highly recommend this great opportunity to develop #theory together with @kostchristian.bsky.social and group who are simply a wonderful bunch!!
I am excited to announce that the position of a senior postdoc (3 +3 years) in the field of theoretical biology is available in my group.
The position provides the opportunity to closely interact with experimentalists and develop own research projects.
Please RT.
Details 👇:
shorturl.at/iiiOv
The position provides the opportunity to closely interact with experimentalists and develop own research projects.
Please RT.
Details 👇:
shorturl.at/iiiOv
116 FB 5 Research Assistant (m/f/d) field of Theoretical Ecology and Evolution or Computational Biology: Uni Osnabrück
shorturl.at
August 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Highly recommend this great opportunity to develop #theory together with @kostchristian.bsky.social and group who are simply a wonderful bunch!!
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
I am excited to announce that the position of a senior postdoc (3 +3 years) in the field of theoretical biology is available in my group.
The position provides the opportunity to closely interact with experimentalists and develop own research projects.
Please RT.
Details 👇:
shorturl.at/iiiOv
The position provides the opportunity to closely interact with experimentalists and develop own research projects.
Please RT.
Details 👇:
shorturl.at/iiiOv
116 FB 5 Research Assistant (m/f/d) field of Theoretical Ecology and Evolution or Computational Biology: Uni Osnabrück
shorturl.at
August 8, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I am excited to announce that the position of a senior postdoc (3 +3 years) in the field of theoretical biology is available in my group.
The position provides the opportunity to closely interact with experimentalists and develop own research projects.
Please RT.
Details 👇:
shorturl.at/iiiOv
The position provides the opportunity to closely interact with experimentalists and develop own research projects.
Please RT.
Details 👇:
shorturl.at/iiiOv
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
We’re #hiring! 2 #post-doc positions for an interdisciplinary project funded by the @hfspo.bsky.social in #axolotl and #Drosophila #wound healing at @sickkidsto.bsky.social #Canada and @umontpellier.bsky.social #France @laghalab.bsky.social. Share and apply here: www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Interdisciplinary Post-doctoral fellowships (2 positions) in wound healing - Toronto (City), Ontario (CA) job with The Hospital for Sick Children - Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program | 1284...
Two Postdoc positions to identify & visualize translation dynamics & function of proteins that drive epithelial cell migration during wound healing.
www.nature.com
August 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
We’re #hiring! 2 #post-doc positions for an interdisciplinary project funded by the @hfspo.bsky.social in #axolotl and #Drosophila #wound healing at @sickkidsto.bsky.social #Canada and @umontpellier.bsky.social #France @laghalab.bsky.social. Share and apply here: www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
Charlie Mo: generic trade off in phage resistance leads to betalactam susceptibility and down-regulation of virulence genes in phage-resistant #MRSA strains #phages2025 🦠
elifesciences.org/articles/102...
elifesciences.org/articles/102...
Bacteriophage infection drives loss of β-lactam resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
In methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, evolution of bacteriophage resistance causes trade-offs that re-sensitize the bacteriato β-lactam antibiotics.
elifesciences.org
August 8, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
Delighted to have started my tenure as an editor for mBio journals.asm.org/journal/mbio handling papers on Streptomyces, natural product evolution and biosynthesis, experimental evolution, bacteriophage resistance, Corynebacterium and engineering biology
mBio Journal Homepage
mBio covers the enormity of the interconnected microbial world: from symbiosis to pathogenesis, energy acquisition and conversion, climate change, geologic change, food and drug production, and even ...
journals.asm.org
July 2, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Delighted to have started my tenure as an editor for mBio journals.asm.org/journal/mbio handling papers on Streptomyces, natural product evolution and biosynthesis, experimental evolution, bacteriophage resistance, Corynebacterium and engineering biology
💃 Let's to to the beach-each, let's go get away! 💃
bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Are Fungal Disease Outbreaks Instigated by Starship Transposons?
Starships are massive transposons that can transfer virulence genes between fungal species, contributing to new plant disease outbreaks. We raise the possibility that Starships, a recently discovered...
bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
July 15, 2025 at 10:03 AM
💃 Let's to to the beach-each, let's go get away! 💃
bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
bsppjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Amazing stuff by one of the most hard working lab rats I’ve ever met. In a good way ;p
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Jumbo phage-mediated transduction of genomic islands
Bacteria acquire new genes by horizontal gene transfer (HGT), typically mediated by mobile genetic elements (MGEs). While plasmids, bacteriophages and certain integrative and conjugative elements (ICE...
www.biorxiv.org
July 3, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Amazing stuff by one of the most hard working lab rats I’ve ever met. In a good way ;p
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
ISME congratulates @ilafores.bsky.social from @usherbrooke.bsky.social as the winner of the Alma Dal Co Award, recognizing her as an exceptional early-career scholar who has made important contributions to microbial ecology.
isme-microbes.org/winner-of-th...
#MicrobialEcology #microbes #isme20
isme-microbes.org/winner-of-th...
#MicrobialEcology #microbes #isme20
June 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
ISME congratulates @ilafores.bsky.social from @usherbrooke.bsky.social as the winner of the Alma Dal Co Award, recognizing her as an exceptional early-career scholar who has made important contributions to microbial ecology.
isme-microbes.org/winner-of-th...
#MicrobialEcology #microbes #isme20
isme-microbes.org/winner-of-th...
#MicrobialEcology #microbes #isme20
Come join us at TBB in simulating the sh*t out of everything related to biology! :)
(in this case, evo-devo/ animal development in general!)
(in this case, evo-devo/ animal development in general!)
June 17, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Come join us at TBB in simulating the sh*t out of everything related to biology! :)
(in this case, evo-devo/ animal development in general!)
(in this case, evo-devo/ animal development in general!)
Reposted by Bram van Dijk 🏳️🌈
🧬🌽 Happy Transposon Day! 🌽🧬
Today we celebrate the birthday of Barbara McClintock - scientist extraordinaire and discoverer of jumping genes. Still the only woman to have an unshared Nobel Prize in the biomedical sciences #TransposonDay2025
Today we celebrate the birthday of Barbara McClintock - scientist extraordinaire and discoverer of jumping genes. Still the only woman to have an unshared Nobel Prize in the biomedical sciences #TransposonDay2025
June 16, 2025 at 3:14 PM
🧬🌽 Happy Transposon Day! 🌽🧬
Today we celebrate the birthday of Barbara McClintock - scientist extraordinaire and discoverer of jumping genes. Still the only woman to have an unshared Nobel Prize in the biomedical sciences #TransposonDay2025
Today we celebrate the birthday of Barbara McClintock - scientist extraordinaire and discoverer of jumping genes. Still the only woman to have an unshared Nobel Prize in the biomedical sciences #TransposonDay2025
We should call failed sceptics what they are: cynical. Nobody should take pride in being a cynic.
Friends- it is 2025. Can we stop with the term "vaccine skeptic" to describe people openly hostile to vaccines and whose views are not based in evidence? That is not skepticism. That is denialism.
June 13, 2025 at 4:19 AM
We should call failed sceptics what they are: cynical. Nobody should take pride in being a cynic.