Fab Spagnolo
@fabspagnolo.bsky.social
Ecology and evolution in microbes. Assistant Prof. @ LIU Post, native NYer, foodie.
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
This is a deeply frustrating read framed around the testimony of the father of the US child that died of measles at a MAHA conference.
On Friday, the WHO will announce the total number of children that died of measles last year. A number I calculate for them every year.
On Friday, the WHO will announce the total number of children that died of measles last year. A number I calculate for them every year.
Opinion | I Went to an Anti-Vaccine Conference. Medicine Is in Trouble.
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:43 PM
This is a deeply frustrating read framed around the testimony of the father of the US child that died of measles at a MAHA conference.
On Friday, the WHO will announce the total number of children that died of measles last year. A number I calculate for them every year.
On Friday, the WHO will announce the total number of children that died of measles last year. A number I calculate for them every year.
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
We are organising an AMR meeting next spring in Helsinki. Meeting includes evolution of AMR and environmental AMR sessions. Please submit your abstract now! Deadline Dec 1st.
November 25, 2025 at 12:48 PM
We are organising an AMR meeting next spring in Helsinki. Meeting includes evolution of AMR and environmental AMR sessions. Please submit your abstract now! Deadline Dec 1st.
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
My department at UT Austin is looking to hire an Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology, broadly defined. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
apply.interfolio.com/177547
apply.interfolio.com/177547
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:23 PM
My department at UT Austin is looking to hire an Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology, broadly defined. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
apply.interfolio.com/177547
apply.interfolio.com/177547
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Hmmm…what USAID wasn’t bad for America…what if getting rid of it only hurt us and everyone else?
What if the richest man in the world being responsible for ending aid to the poorest people in the world will go down as one of the most bizarre and disgusting acts of the 21st century?
What if the richest man in the world being responsible for ending aid to the poorest people in the world will go down as one of the most bizarre and disgusting acts of the 21st century?
November 22, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Hmmm…what USAID wasn’t bad for America…what if getting rid of it only hurt us and everyone else?
What if the richest man in the world being responsible for ending aid to the poorest people in the world will go down as one of the most bizarre and disgusting acts of the 21st century?
What if the richest man in the world being responsible for ending aid to the poorest people in the world will go down as one of the most bizarre and disgusting acts of the 21st century?
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Ten days left to apply to be a @crick.ac.uk Early Career Group Leader
Closing date 27th November
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Closing date 27th November
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
November 17, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Ten days left to apply to be a @crick.ac.uk Early Career Group Leader
Closing date 27th November
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Closing date 27th November
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
📢 CARB-X funding round update!
Updated eligibility criteria for cycle two are now available. Review the updated materials to see if your project is eligible. Expressions of Interest may be submitted from 1 Dec. at 10:00 ET – 12 Dec. at 23:59 ET. #IDSky 🧪
🔗 Read here: bit.ly/4dTKvDj
Updated eligibility criteria for cycle two are now available. Review the updated materials to see if your project is eligible. Expressions of Interest may be submitted from 1 Dec. at 10:00 ET – 12 Dec. at 23:59 ET. #IDSky 🧪
🔗 Read here: bit.ly/4dTKvDj
November 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
📢 CARB-X funding round update!
Updated eligibility criteria for cycle two are now available. Review the updated materials to see if your project is eligible. Expressions of Interest may be submitted from 1 Dec. at 10:00 ET – 12 Dec. at 23:59 ET. #IDSky 🧪
🔗 Read here: bit.ly/4dTKvDj
Updated eligibility criteria for cycle two are now available. Review the updated materials to see if your project is eligible. Expressions of Interest may be submitted from 1 Dec. at 10:00 ET – 12 Dec. at 23:59 ET. #IDSky 🧪
🔗 Read here: bit.ly/4dTKvDj
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
@sacrozhangt.bsky.social and I wrote a commentary on Jordi van Gestel and Carol Gross's latest paper, check it out!
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Sadly, the Editors at PNAS rejected our initial introduction, which was a David Attenborough style voice over of the microbial Serengeti (included below)
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Sadly, the Editors at PNAS rejected our initial introduction, which was a David Attenborough style voice over of the microbial Serengeti (included below)
November 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
@sacrozhangt.bsky.social and I wrote a commentary on Jordi van Gestel and Carol Gross's latest paper, check it out!
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Sadly, the Editors at PNAS rejected our initial introduction, which was a David Attenborough style voice over of the microbial Serengeti (included below)
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Sadly, the Editors at PNAS rejected our initial introduction, which was a David Attenborough style voice over of the microbial Serengeti (included below)
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Attendance at my school was really high this week. It didn’t occur to me that it was likely related to food scarcity at home until Friday. We have free lunch and breakfast for all students at school.
November 8, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Attendance at my school was really high this week. It didn’t occur to me that it was likely related to food scarcity at home until Friday. We have free lunch and breakfast for all students at school.
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Her sister wrote my favorite essay about her. She points out that RF would have been famous even if she'd never looked at DNA
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Remembering my sister Rosalind Franklin
Rosalind Franklin died of ovarian cancer in 1958 aged 37 years. Sympathy and feminism
have combined to give us her familiar image as a downtrodden woman scientist, brilliant
but neglected, a heroine t...
www.thelancet.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Her sister wrote my favorite essay about her. She points out that RF would have been famous even if she'd never looked at DNA
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
If you know an undergrad that would like to spend the summer doing research in my philosophy of biology lab, encourage them to apply to the U’s SPUR program. Includes a $5,000 stipend and subsidized housing to work in my lab.
Details and how to apply here:
tinyurl.com/SPUR-PhilBio...
Details and how to apply here:
tinyurl.com/SPUR-PhilBio...
The Philosophy of Biology Lab: Entangled Lineages, Classification, and Individuality - Office of Undergraduate Research
tinyurl.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:13 PM
If you know an undergrad that would like to spend the summer doing research in my philosophy of biology lab, encourage them to apply to the U’s SPUR program. Includes a $5,000 stipend and subsidized housing to work in my lab.
Details and how to apply here:
tinyurl.com/SPUR-PhilBio...
Details and how to apply here:
tinyurl.com/SPUR-PhilBio...
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Hey undergrads! Apply for Caltech’s 10-week WAVE Fellows program.
-$6K stipend + housing + $1K travel/dining
-Apply by Jan 9, 2026:
sfp.caltech.edu/undergraduat...
-Info sessions in November: sfp.caltech.edu/undergraduat...
-$6K stipend + housing + $1K travel/dining
-Apply by Jan 9, 2026:
sfp.caltech.edu/undergraduat...
-Info sessions in November: sfp.caltech.edu/undergraduat...
WAVE Fellows
The 2026 WAVE Fellows award is $6,000 for the ten-week period, plus on-campus housing, and a dining and travel supplement of ~$1000. Caltech housing is available and we strongly encourage all Fellows to live on campus. The 2026 WAVE Fellows program dates are June 15 through August 21.
sfp.caltech.edu
November 6, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Hey undergrads! Apply for Caltech’s 10-week WAVE Fellows program.
-$6K stipend + housing + $1K travel/dining
-Apply by Jan 9, 2026:
sfp.caltech.edu/undergraduat...
-Info sessions in November: sfp.caltech.edu/undergraduat...
-$6K stipend + housing + $1K travel/dining
-Apply by Jan 9, 2026:
sfp.caltech.edu/undergraduat...
-Info sessions in November: sfp.caltech.edu/undergraduat...
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Mycobacterium smegmatis Expands Across Surfaces by Hydraulic Sliding - Environmental Microbiology Reports enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... - Our new paper is out!
enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Mycobacterium smegmatis Expands Across Surfaces by Hydraulic Sliding - Environmental Microbiology Reports enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... - Our new paper is out!
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles @siouxsiew.bsky.social has launched a fundraising campaign to cover some of the legal fees accrued in taking a case against her employer, the University of Auckland. She explains why.
thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
Siouxsie Wiles: Why I’m crowdfunding despite winning my legal battle
'Between the ERA and the Employment Court, my husband and I have spent over $632,000.'
thespinoff.co.nz
November 2, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles @siouxsiew.bsky.social has launched a fundraising campaign to cover some of the legal fees accrued in taking a case against her employer, the University of Auckland. She explains why.
thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-1...
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Are you interested in studying RNA phages? We are looking for a PhD student and a postdoc to join the lab!
For more information and how to apply, see below 👇
Please RT!
For more information and how to apply, see below 👇
Please RT!
📢 The #HIRI is looking for a #postdoc & a #PhD student to join the research group of @jenshoer.bsky.social. His lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of #phages with #RNA genomes during infection, host takeover & anti-phage defense. 🧫🦠 More info: www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/jobs-tale...
Working at HIRI
At the HIRI, we do not just value excellent research. Short distances, an open door policy, and a good working atmosphere—this is what distinguishes us from others. Have a look at our current job…
www.helmholtz-hiri.de
October 17, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Are you interested in studying RNA phages? We are looking for a PhD student and a postdoc to join the lab!
For more information and how to apply, see below 👇
Please RT!
For more information and how to apply, see below 👇
Please RT!
I am so excited to have this published today detailing a new system for growing biofilms and observing the resulting populations (stress on the plural!) in chemostats!
A chemostat-based model for growing bacterial biofilms | Microbiology Spectrum journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
A chemostat-based model for growing bacterial biofilms | Microbiology Spectrum journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
A chemostat-based model for growing bacterial biofilms | Microbiology Spectrum
Biofilms are the predominant way that bacteria live in natural environments and are
characterized by three emergent properties: ubiquity, resilience, and impact. They
can be found across all environme...
journals.asm.org
October 27, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I am so excited to have this published today detailing a new system for growing biofilms and observing the resulting populations (stress on the plural!) in chemostats!
A chemostat-based model for growing bacterial biofilms | Microbiology Spectrum journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
A chemostat-based model for growing bacterial biofilms | Microbiology Spectrum journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Well, I can see how that ended up on clearance.
October 25, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Well, I can see how that ended up on clearance.
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
JOB OFFER #PhageSky
We have a postdoc position opening in my group to investigate phage-MGE interactions !
We're based in the very nice city of Lyon, France @mmsb-lyon.bsky.social
Contact me for more info !
>> Apply on the CNRS webpage emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/U...
We have a postdoc position opening in my group to investigate phage-MGE interactions !
We're based in the very nice city of Lyon, France @mmsb-lyon.bsky.social
Contact me for more info !
>> Apply on the CNRS webpage emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/U...
Portail Emploi CNRS - Offre d'emploi - Postdoctoral researcher Microbiology (M/F)
emploi.cnrs.fr
October 22, 2025 at 9:35 AM
JOB OFFER #PhageSky
We have a postdoc position opening in my group to investigate phage-MGE interactions !
We're based in the very nice city of Lyon, France @mmsb-lyon.bsky.social
Contact me for more info !
>> Apply on the CNRS webpage emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/U...
We have a postdoc position opening in my group to investigate phage-MGE interactions !
We're based in the very nice city of Lyon, France @mmsb-lyon.bsky.social
Contact me for more info !
>> Apply on the CNRS webpage emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/U...
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Microbiology Postdoctoral Position (Please re-post)
A funded postdoctoral position in Chicago will open in 2026 to study aspects of Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis, antigenic variation, genetics, or physiology.
If interested, please get in touch with Hank Seifert
[email protected]
A funded postdoctoral position in Chicago will open in 2026 to study aspects of Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis, antigenic variation, genetics, or physiology.
If interested, please get in touch with Hank Seifert
[email protected]
October 21, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Microbiology Postdoctoral Position (Please re-post)
A funded postdoctoral position in Chicago will open in 2026 to study aspects of Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis, antigenic variation, genetics, or physiology.
If interested, please get in touch with Hank Seifert
[email protected]
A funded postdoctoral position in Chicago will open in 2026 to study aspects of Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis, antigenic variation, genetics, or physiology.
If interested, please get in touch with Hank Seifert
[email protected]
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
#microsky #mevosky The UNC Chapel Hill Biology Department is hiring 2 Teaching Assistant/Associate Professors with expertise from any area of biology. Individuals with expertise in microbiology are particularly encouraged to apply. Read more and apply at unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
Two (2) Open Rank Teaching Faculty
The Department of Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks applicants for two (2) Teaching Faculty positions to be effective July 1, 2026. These positions will be fixed-term 9-...
unc.peopleadmin.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:44 PM
#microsky #mevosky The UNC Chapel Hill Biology Department is hiring 2 Teaching Assistant/Associate Professors with expertise from any area of biology. Individuals with expertise in microbiology are particularly encouraged to apply. Read more and apply at unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/307...
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Our first effort exploring gut bacteria-extracellular ATP interactions is published! We show that eATP rewires gene expression and physiology in harmless and pathogenic bacteria, impacting production of bioactive metabolites, antimicrobial sensitivity, and virulence. A 🧵
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
October 14, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Our first effort exploring gut bacteria-extracellular ATP interactions is published! We show that eATP rewires gene expression and physiology in harmless and pathogenic bacteria, impacting production of bioactive metabolites, antimicrobial sensitivity, and virulence. A 🧵
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
October 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Ohio State microbiology department is hiring assistant professor of Microbiome science (due Nov 6). It's an amazing department please apply!! (I would apply if I had more pubs haha...)
jobs.sciencecareers.org/job/675478/a...
jobs.sciencecareers.org/job/675478/a...
October 9, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Ohio State microbiology department is hiring assistant professor of Microbiome science (due Nov 6). It's an amazing department please apply!! (I would apply if I had more pubs haha...)
jobs.sciencecareers.org/job/675478/a...
jobs.sciencecareers.org/job/675478/a...
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Published in Current Biology! P. aeruginosa can use its filamentous phage to inhibit competitors but high phage production is susceptible to cheater miniphage invasion. Subsequent phage tragedy of the commons can lower bacteria and phage fitness. Link: authors.elsevier.com/c/1lt5I3QW8S...
Preprint out! Bacteria w/ hyper-replicative filamentous phage lead to overnight emergence of cheater phages. Bacteria w/ both phages can outcompete wildtype, then rapidly lose phage via a phage Tragedy of the Commons
@shellyscrib.bsky.social @vscooper.micropopbio.org www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
@shellyscrib.bsky.social @vscooper.micropopbio.org www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Filamentous cheater phages drive bacterial and phage populations to lower fitness
Many bacteria carry phage genome(s) in their chromosome (i.e., prophage), and this intertwines the fitness of the bacterium and the phage. Most Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains carry filamentous phages ...
www.biorxiv.org
October 2, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Published in Current Biology! P. aeruginosa can use its filamentous phage to inhibit competitors but high phage production is susceptible to cheater miniphage invasion. Subsequent phage tragedy of the commons can lower bacteria and phage fitness. Link: authors.elsevier.com/c/1lt5I3QW8S...
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
Nearly 10% of humanity (~800M people in 2025) struggles to live on less than $3 a day. It’s important for Americans to appreciate that reality — and the growing gap between the extremely poor & the extremely privileged — because, as USAID demonstrated, our nation has the power to change it.
🧵 1/8
🧵 1/8
What Extreme Poverty Looks Like
Ten percent of humanity struggles to live on under $2 a day. That, and the gap between the extremely poor and the more privileged, is important to see.
classroom.ricksteves.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Nearly 10% of humanity (~800M people in 2025) struggles to live on less than $3 a day. It’s important for Americans to appreciate that reality — and the growing gap between the extremely poor & the extremely privileged — because, as USAID demonstrated, our nation has the power to change it.
🧵 1/8
🧵 1/8
Reposted by Fab Spagnolo
DYK most P. aeruginosa carry filamentous phage(s) that don't need to kill the cell to reproduce?
We 👉🏻@nanamikubota.bsky.social show that these Pf phages can go ROGUE.
"Filamentous cheater phages drive bacterial and phage populations to lower fitness"
🔗 authors.elsevier.com/c/1lt5I3QW8S...
We 👉🏻@nanamikubota.bsky.social show that these Pf phages can go ROGUE.
"Filamentous cheater phages drive bacterial and phage populations to lower fitness"
🔗 authors.elsevier.com/c/1lt5I3QW8S...
October 2, 2025 at 3:55 PM
DYK most P. aeruginosa carry filamentous phage(s) that don't need to kill the cell to reproduce?
We 👉🏻@nanamikubota.bsky.social show that these Pf phages can go ROGUE.
"Filamentous cheater phages drive bacterial and phage populations to lower fitness"
🔗 authors.elsevier.com/c/1lt5I3QW8S...
We 👉🏻@nanamikubota.bsky.social show that these Pf phages can go ROGUE.
"Filamentous cheater phages drive bacterial and phage populations to lower fitness"
🔗 authors.elsevier.com/c/1lt5I3QW8S...