Freya Harrison
@friendlymicrobe.bsky.social
Reader (Associate Professor) in Microbiology at the University of Warwick, UK.
Biofilm, chronic infection and ancientbiotics.
Biofilm, chronic infection and ancientbiotics.
Pinned
Harrison Lab @ University of Warwick, UK
We are a team of microbiologists working at the University of Warwick, UK.
www.youtube.com
The lab now has a YouTube channel to collate videos of the team talking science: www.youtube.com/@BreakingBio...
Reposted by Freya Harrison
I have a question for people who do a lot of disk diffusion assays... have you ever seen enhanced haemolysis around azithromycin specifically? Does it damage RBCs so that bacterial haemolysis is more rapid, or is it maybe a stress response from the bacterium?
January 10, 2026 at 8:49 PM
I have a question for people who do a lot of disk diffusion assays... have you ever seen enhanced haemolysis around azithromycin specifically? Does it damage RBCs so that bacterial haemolysis is more rapid, or is it maybe a stress response from the bacterium?
Last night’s Witness History featured a pretty amazing character with a gift for storytelling. ANZAC soldier Rupert Westmacott talks about his experience in WWI at Gallipoli: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Witness History - Battle of Gallipoli - BBC Sounds
A New Zealand soldier's account of surviving one of the worst battles of World War One
www.bbc.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Last night’s Witness History featured a pretty amazing character with a gift for storytelling. ANZAC soldier Rupert Westmacott talks about his experience in WWI at Gallipoli: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Freya Harrison
I understand the pressures on the BBC, but Radio 4's coverage of the Minneapolis shooting is an example of "bad balance".
It's all "the Trump regime says she was a terrorist, but Democrats say it was murder".
The BBC has the footage. It doesn't have to treat truth and falsehood as equally valid.
It's all "the Trump regime says she was a terrorist, but Democrats say it was murder".
The BBC has the footage. It doesn't have to treat truth and falsehood as equally valid.
January 8, 2026 at 8:38 AM
I understand the pressures on the BBC, but Radio 4's coverage of the Minneapolis shooting is an example of "bad balance".
It's all "the Trump regime says she was a terrorist, but Democrats say it was murder".
The BBC has the footage. It doesn't have to treat truth and falsehood as equally valid.
It's all "the Trump regime says she was a terrorist, but Democrats say it was murder".
The BBC has the footage. It doesn't have to treat truth and falsehood as equally valid.
Reposted by Freya Harrison
It's important to understand the intentionality of Grok becoming a revenge porn + CSAM generation machine.
Devs would have had to *intentionally* train it on millions of not billions of porn images.
Devs would have had to *intentionally* train it on millions of not billions of porn images.
January 6, 2026 at 11:42 AM
It's important to understand the intentionality of Grok becoming a revenge porn + CSAM generation machine.
Devs would have had to *intentionally* train it on millions of not billions of porn images.
Devs would have had to *intentionally* train it on millions of not billions of porn images.
This is a super clear article that explains a lot about the choices made re chickenpox vaccination - via @pennysarchet.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
January 6, 2026 at 12:18 PM
This is a super clear article that explains a lot about the choices made re chickenpox vaccination - via @pennysarchet.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
Excited to share this fully funded PhD position in my lab in collaboration with FBSDTP & @rachelmwheatley.bsky.social, focussing on how iron influences the ability of pathogens to invade the microbiome.
Advert:
research.reading.ac.uk/foodbiosyste...
Apply:
research.reading.ac.uk/foodbiosyste...
Advert:
research.reading.ac.uk/foodbiosyste...
Apply:
research.reading.ac.uk/foodbiosyste...
research.reading.ac.uk
January 6, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Reposted by Freya Harrison
🔊 Job Opportunity: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Bacterial Evolution.
Looking to recruit a postdoc to join a UKRI FLF-funded project on antibiotic resistance evolution in the microbiome 🦠
3 years funding, deadline 26th Jan, please share!
hrwebapp.qub.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
Looking to recruit a postdoc to join a UKRI FLF-funded project on antibiotic resistance evolution in the microbiome 🦠
3 years funding, deadline 26th Jan, please share!
hrwebapp.qub.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
Job profile
hrwebapp.qub.ac.uk
January 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM
🔊 Job Opportunity: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Bacterial Evolution.
Looking to recruit a postdoc to join a UKRI FLF-funded project on antibiotic resistance evolution in the microbiome 🦠
3 years funding, deadline 26th Jan, please share!
hrwebapp.qub.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
Looking to recruit a postdoc to join a UKRI FLF-funded project on antibiotic resistance evolution in the microbiome 🦠
3 years funding, deadline 26th Jan, please share!
hrwebapp.qub.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
Reposted by Freya Harrison
You're watching an Eden's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Gulf of Thailand "trap-feeding" or "tread-water feeding."
It was filmed by NatGeo videographer Bertie Gregory in 2021.
Let's talk about what it's doing, how humans are involved & along the way, identify the origins of a Norse legend.
It was filmed by NatGeo videographer Bertie Gregory in 2021.
Let's talk about what it's doing, how humans are involved & along the way, identify the origins of a Norse legend.
January 5, 2026 at 1:56 PM
You're watching an Eden's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Gulf of Thailand "trap-feeding" or "tread-water feeding."
It was filmed by NatGeo videographer Bertie Gregory in 2021.
Let's talk about what it's doing, how humans are involved & along the way, identify the origins of a Norse legend.
It was filmed by NatGeo videographer Bertie Gregory in 2021.
Let's talk about what it's doing, how humans are involved & along the way, identify the origins of a Norse legend.
US State Department says it will deny visas to 5 leaders in EU efforts to counter digital hate speech & disinformation, including ex EU commissioner Thierry Breton, accusing them of seeking to censor "American viewpoints.” www.france24.com/en/technolog...
Five Europeans denied US visas for combating hate speech online, accused of censoring ‘American viewpoints’
The US State Department said Tuesday that it would deny visas to five Europeans, including former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, accusing them of seeking to censor "American viewpoints" online. All…
www.france24.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:11 PM
US State Department says it will deny visas to 5 leaders in EU efforts to counter digital hate speech & disinformation, including ex EU commissioner Thierry Breton, accusing them of seeking to censor "American viewpoints.” www.france24.com/en/technolog...
Absolutely agree. @mattwestern.bsky.social is government use of X on your radar?
The logical consequence, in my opinion, would be to suspend X with immediate effect in UK and EU (and hopefully elsewhere too)
X should be prosecuted and fined for allowing this to go on.
All official accounts of governments and legislators should now retire from X.
X should be prosecuted and fined for allowing this to go on.
All official accounts of governments and legislators should now retire from X.
It gets *worse* than the nude deepfakes.
The UK and EU have said nothing.
The UK and EU have said nothing.
January 3, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Absolutely agree. @mattwestern.bsky.social is government use of X on your radar?
#immunosky #microsky folks: please could someone point me to literature that explains the UK‘s decision to finally roll out a chickenpox vax (impact of chickenpox/shingles/both?) and the pros/cons of this vaccine vs Shingrix? Am interested & it would be good to read up on for future teaching. Ta!
January 2, 2026 at 8:06 PM
#immunosky #microsky folks: please could someone point me to literature that explains the UK‘s decision to finally roll out a chickenpox vax (impact of chickenpox/shingles/both?) and the pros/cons of this vaccine vs Shingrix? Am interested & it would be good to read up on for future teaching. Ta!
Reposted by Freya Harrison
New year, new PhD? 🧑🎓
If you’re fed up of leftovers, and out of ideas for festive fun, here’s a quick reminder to apply to these posts! 🧫 🧬
#PhD #Microbiology #Genomics
If you’re fed up of leftovers, and out of ideas for festive fun, here’s a quick reminder to apply to these posts! 🧫 🧬
#PhD #Microbiology #Genomics
We are recruiting for a number of PhDs in the HPRU in Public Health Genomics, based at @unibirmingham.bsky.social, in collaboration with UKHSA. 🦠🧬
Apply below to work on cutting-edge science and public health priorities! (NB deadline of 9th January / UK only due to funding restrictions)
(1/7)
Apply below to work on cutting-edge science and public health priorities! (NB deadline of 9th January / UK only due to funding restrictions)
(1/7)
December 31, 2025 at 10:17 AM
New year, new PhD? 🧑🎓
If you’re fed up of leftovers, and out of ideas for festive fun, here’s a quick reminder to apply to these posts! 🧫 🧬
#PhD #Microbiology #Genomics
If you’re fed up of leftovers, and out of ideas for festive fun, here’s a quick reminder to apply to these posts! 🧫 🧬
#PhD #Microbiology #Genomics
I’m especially looking forward to this session! #MicroSky
Join leaders tackling antimicrobial resistance at Annual Conference with Baroness Natalie Bennett during the Knocking Out AMR Challenge session. Let’s rethink AMR together. Registration is open - microb.io/AC26Register #Microbio26 #KnockingOutAMR
Annual Conference 2026
Industry opportunities
microb.io
December 29, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I’m especially looking forward to this session! #MicroSky
Reposted by Freya Harrison
A four-year postdoc focusing on "plant growth-promoting bacteriophages" available in my group. Skills in metaviromics and metagenomics essential. Application deadline: 2.2.2026. For more info, see the link.
Postdoctoral Researcher in discovering the benefits of plant growth-promoting bacteriophages
Postdoctoral Researcher in discovering the benefits of plant growth-promoting bacteriophages
jobs.helsinki.fi
December 29, 2025 at 6:29 AM
A four-year postdoc focusing on "plant growth-promoting bacteriophages" available in my group. Skills in metaviromics and metagenomics essential. Application deadline: 2.2.2026. For more info, see the link.
Reposted by Freya Harrison
This. There are good uses for Ai. The potential to improve serious weather forecasting, to optimise farming (actually good for the environment), a tool to support those with hearing or visual impairment, many things. But it’s been SOLD as money-saving (quietly: get rid of people) and that’s the lie.
I think the line might be between generative AI and analytical AI
An AI that can take 40 years of mammograms to recognize cancer years earlier is awesome and we should make more stuff like that
An AI that uses stolen art to make recycled synthetic artlike images should be thrown into a volcano
An AI that can take 40 years of mammograms to recognize cancer years earlier is awesome and we should make more stuff like that
An AI that uses stolen art to make recycled synthetic artlike images should be thrown into a volcano
December 28, 2025 at 12:03 PM
This. There are good uses for Ai. The potential to improve serious weather forecasting, to optimise farming (actually good for the environment), a tool to support those with hearing or visual impairment, many things. But it’s been SOLD as money-saving (quietly: get rid of people) and that’s the lie.
You've just opened up a Star Trek-themed restaurant.
What are you calling it?
Mine’s a tapas bar called Saucer Section
What are you calling it?
Mine’s a tapas bar called Saucer Section
you've just opened up a star trek-themed restaurant
what are you calling it?
Five Lights
what are you calling it?
Five Lights
you've just opened up a star trek-themed restaurant
what are you calling it?
Prosper
what are you calling it?
Prosper
December 27, 2025 at 7:43 PM
You've just opened up a Star Trek-themed restaurant.
What are you calling it?
Mine’s a tapas bar called Saucer Section
What are you calling it?
Mine’s a tapas bar called Saucer Section
This looks like a brilliant opportunity! #MicroSky
We’re looking for a Summer Intern to generate microscopy videos of bacteria bursting in response to administering antibiotics as part of a public education video on the uses of antibiotics and risks of misuse 🔬
🗓️ Apply by 5 January
➡️ buff.ly/YlUQUho
🗓️ Apply by 5 January
➡️ buff.ly/YlUQUho
December 23, 2025 at 11:14 AM
This looks like a brilliant opportunity! #MicroSky
”Mice remain useful for systemic interactions & whole-body physiology, but human iPSCs, organoids, & engineered tissues … capture patient-specific genetics & disease phenotypes in ways that mice simply cannot.” Interesting longish read on drug screening www.drugdiscoverynews.com/can-we-stop-...
Can we stop using mice for research?
As nearly 90 percent of drugs fail in human trials, researchers are turning to patient-derived cells, engineered tissues, and AI to better predict human responses and reduce costly late-stage failures...
www.drugdiscoverynews.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:12 AM
”Mice remain useful for systemic interactions & whole-body physiology, but human iPSCs, organoids, & engineered tissues … capture patient-specific genetics & disease phenotypes in ways that mice simply cannot.” Interesting longish read on drug screening www.drugdiscoverynews.com/can-we-stop-...
The Sentinel programme has trained over 3,000 health professionals from 53 African countries in genomics, so they can track and respond to infectious disease outbreaks #MicroSky www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Meet Dr Happi. With $100m and a steely determination could he save the world from the next pandemic?
The Cameroonian professor made the Time most influential list in 2025 and saw the project he co-founded receive $100m for its virus detection work. Now he is on a mission to transform Africa’s genomic...
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The Sentinel programme has trained over 3,000 health professionals from 53 African countries in genomics, so they can track and respond to infectious disease outbreaks #MicroSky www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
This thread is quite a shocker.
Closing out my year with a journal editor shocker 🧵
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
December 21, 2025 at 10:16 AM
This thread is quite a shocker.
Reposted by Freya Harrison
🚨 Postdoctoral Opportunity for Female Scientists🚨
The University of Vienna is awarding at least 20 fully funded 4 year postdoctoral positions to outstanding female scientists
Interested? Get in touch via direct message
careers.univie.ac.at/en/postdoc/e...
#MicroSky 🧪
#PostDoc @univie.ac.at
The University of Vienna is awarding at least 20 fully funded 4 year postdoctoral positions to outstanding female scientists
Interested? Get in touch via direct message
careers.univie.ac.at/en/postdoc/e...
#MicroSky 🧪
#PostDoc @univie.ac.at
December 19, 2025 at 12:24 AM
🚨 Postdoctoral Opportunity for Female Scientists🚨
The University of Vienna is awarding at least 20 fully funded 4 year postdoctoral positions to outstanding female scientists
Interested? Get in touch via direct message
careers.univie.ac.at/en/postdoc/e...
#MicroSky 🧪
#PostDoc @univie.ac.at
The University of Vienna is awarding at least 20 fully funded 4 year postdoctoral positions to outstanding female scientists
Interested? Get in touch via direct message
careers.univie.ac.at/en/postdoc/e...
#MicroSky 🧪
#PostDoc @univie.ac.at
Some fabulous opportunities here! #MicroSky
We are recruiting for a number of PhDs in the HPRU in Public Health Genomics, based at @unibirmingham.bsky.social, in collaboration with UKHSA. 🦠🧬
Apply below to work on cutting-edge science and public health priorities! (NB deadline of 9th January / UK only due to funding restrictions)
(1/7)
Apply below to work on cutting-edge science and public health priorities! (NB deadline of 9th January / UK only due to funding restrictions)
(1/7)
December 16, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Some fabulous opportunities here! #MicroSky
Reposted by Freya Harrison
Recent work from the lab showing how presence of O-antigen deficient Pseudomonas variants change aggregate assembly and microbiogeography of infection
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Whole-tissue imaging reveals intrastrain diversity shapes the spatial organization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a murine infection model | mSphere
Intrastrain genetic and phenotypic diversity within Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations is common in chronic pulmonary infections. While this intrastrain heterogeneity is a hallmark of chronic infection, its consequences for the spatial organization of P. aeruginosa within the airways remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the loss of O-specific antigen in a subpopulation of P. aeruginosa significantly alters the spatial architecture of P. aeruginosa, without changing the total population size or composition. Using a combination of tissue clearing and hybridization chain reaction RNA-FISH in a murine lung infection model, we mapped the localization of genetically distinct P. aeruginosa variants in mixed populations in vivo. These findings reveal that genetic diversification within a strain can reshape the infection landscape at the micron scale, highlighting the overlooked role of intrastrain dynamics in shaping the microbiogeography of infections and influencing host-pathogen interactions.
journals.asm.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Recent work from the lab showing how presence of O-antigen deficient Pseudomonas variants change aggregate assembly and microbiogeography of infection
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...