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helenmcneil.bsky.social
Helen McNeil
@helenmcneil.bsky.social
240 followers 230 following 33 posts
Microbiology makes me happy
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helenmcneil.bsky.social
Great science deserves a little glitter ✨ ✨
microbesng.bsky.social MicrobesNG @microbesng.bsky.social · Oct 17
@olivijaziu.bsky.social is excited to meet the @uniofsurrey.bsky.social community at the Microbes, Infection & Immunity seminar 21st Oct! 🧬

Hosted by @jaimehat.bsky.social

Join her for coffee & a chat during lunch break (lots of swag! 💝 )

#MicroSky #MicrobialGenomics #AcademicEvents #PhDLife
October 17, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
🚨 Call for Abstracts! 🚨
Exeter Microbial Genomics Early Careers Symposium 🦠🧬

Present your work, chair a session, win prizes & network!
📅 12 Nov
📍 Penryn Campus
⏰ Submit TODAY by 5pm 👉 linktr.ee/microbesng

#MicrobialGenomics #ECR #MNGPopUp
Organised with @drramabht.bsky.social @exeter.ac.uk
October 9, 2025 at 10:30 AM
helenmcneil.bsky.social
I had a brilliant time at #CBNP18 with @microbesng.bsky.social

Thank you @albertilab.bsky.social for inviting us & modelling fungi tattoos to celebrate our FREE fungal DNA extractions

@microkim.bsky.social @pannyinthelab.bsky.social @warwicklifesci.bsky.social
#MicrobialGenomics #MicroSky #Fungi
June 27, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
🪰 Could K.oxytoca Hold the Key to Controlling a Global Pest? Register for #MNGPopUp to find out!

@katiemillar.bsky.social looks at fruit fly microbiomes to unlock new pest control strategies

📅 July 3 | 📍Norwich
🔗 linktr.ee/microbesng

#MicroSky #ECR @norwichmicro.bsky.social @getgenome.bsky.social
Promotional poster for the "Norwich Pop Up" event featuring speaker Katie Millar from the University of East Anglia. The topic of her talk is “Animal-microbe symbioses in pest insects.” The poster includes a photo of Katie smiling and holding a black-and-white cat. Behind her is an aerial view of the Norwich Research Park. Logos for "PopUp microbesNG," the Centre for Microbial Interactions, The Sainsbury Laboratory, and GetGenome are displayed at the top left. A bold vertical pink text reads "SPEAKER" on the right side. The event is on 3 July at the John Innes Conference Centre. A registration link is provided: linktr.ee/microbesng
June 20, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
🐶 How strong is the bond with your dog? Register for #MNGPopUp to find out!

@gabastorga.bsky.social asks if humans & dogs share E. coli
🧬 217 genomes
💊 50% #AMR
💡 Cross-species insights
📅 July 3 | 📍Norwich + Online
🔗 lnkd.in/eYtyHSyi

#MicroSky #ECR @norwichmicro.bsky.social @getgenome.bsky.social
Promotional poster for the "Norwich Pop Up" event featuring Gabriel Astorga from the Quadram Institute as a speaker. The title of his talk is: "Are we barking up the wrong tree? Limited E. coli co-occurrence between humans and companion dogs." The poster includes a professional photo of Gabriel smiling in a black blazer. Logos for the Centre for Microbial Interactions, The Sainsbury Laboratory, and GetGenome are displayed at the top left. At the bottom, the event details are listed: 3 July at the Norwich Research Park, John Innes Conference Centre. The MicrobesNG logo is also included. A button says "Register here" with a link: linktr.ee/microbesng. The word "SPEAKER" is vertically aligned along the right side in large pink letters.
June 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
helenmcneil.bsky.social
We’ve got a little Friday afternoon quiz running, can you guess the microbe?!? 🧐🦠📊

#microsky #WorldFoodSafetyDay
microbesng.bsky.social MicrobesNG @microbesng.bsky.social · Jun 6
Need a Friday afternoon brain break? 🧠

🕵️‍♂️ Play our food poisoning QUIZ in honour of #WorldFoodSafetyDay tomorrow!

👇 Read the clues and place your vote to identify the microbe behind it all! 🦠👀

#MicrobeDetective 🔍 #MicroSky #FridayFun #Microbiology #FoodMicrobiology
June 6, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
🚨 We are HIRING 🚨

If you are looking for a technical post and have microbiology or molecular biology (DNA / RNA) lab experience check out our job advert 👀

We are based in Birmingham and it's a great place to work!

Please share 💙

#MicroSky #LabJobs #JobFairy #JoinOurTeam
microbesng.bsky.social MicrobesNG @microbesng.bsky.social · Apr 2
⭐ Join the MicrobesNG Team! ⭐
We're expanding & need a skilled Lab Technician to help us prep & process samples, so if you love microbes + DNA and would like to join our team APPLY today 🦠🧬
👉 apply.workable.com/j/2F45D12845
📍Birmingham 🇬🇧
🔬 Lab Tech Role Available
#ScienceJobsUK #MicroSky
April 7, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
davvi36.bsky.social
I've really enjoyed #Microbio25 @microbiologysociety.org so far, and this afternoon things are heating up with the bacterial warfare session 🦠⚔️
I'll be giving my own talk at 3.30, looking forward to sharing all this! 😁
Photo of my title slide. "A good defence is a bad offense: CRISPR-Cas in inter-plasmid competition."
April 2, 2025 at 7:46 AM
helenmcneil.bsky.social
I’m having a great time reading the abstract submissions for this!
Please keep them coming 💙🤩
#MNGPopUp
microbesng.bsky.social MicrobesNG @microbesng.bsky.social · Mar 11
MicrobesNG POPUP is coming to Norwich Research Park!

It's a FREE #MicrobialGenomics conference on 3rd July

ECR's submit your abstract for talk or poster by 3rd Apr www.surveymonkey.com/r/POP_UP_NOR

Please repost!

Organised with @getgenome.bsky.social & @norwichmicro.bsky.social

#MNGPopUp #ECR
A promotional banner for the MicrobesNG Pop-Up event at Norwich Research Park. The banner features an aerial image of a research facility with a pink text box stating, 'We're coming to NORWICH RESEARCH PARK, John Innes Conference Centre.' The event is scheduled for 3rd July 2025, from 9:30 to 16:30. Highlights include 'Cool Science,' 'Friendly Networking,' 'Free Lunch,' and a 'Best Talk/Poster Prize.' A QR code and link (https://linktr.ee/microbesng) are provided for free registration. The event is supported by the Centre for Microbial Interactions, Get Genome, and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). The design incorporates blue, pink, and white colours with modern graphics and icons
March 13, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
✨ We’re doing a #GIVEAWAY to celebrate #WorldBookDay &
#InternationalWomensDay 📚👩‍🔬

Win a wonderful #microbiology colouring book by 2 fabulous women @noemiematthey.bsky.social & @drsarahwettstadt.bsky.social 🦠🎨

To enter:
- Follow us
- Like
- Repost this

Winner chosen at random 10/03/25 #MicroSky
March 5, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
🥞🎉 It’s #PancakeDay! 🎉🥞

This video from @saipancakes is too Flippin’ awesome not to share!
#SciArt, #pancakes and #bacteria, what’s not to love? 🤔 🦠 🥞

#MicroSky #Microbiology

🎥
Bacteria in my PANCAKES
Did I cook up your favorite bacterium? Who's missing? I guess probably a lot are missing since there are many millions of species. saipancakes.com
buff.ly
March 4, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
🎈🎂🎉 It was Dr. Seuss’s Birthday yesterday!!! 🎉🎂🎈

To honour this most momentous of days, we’ve had chatGPT write us a little story about Microbe Max... 📖🦠

We hope you enjoy it ! 😻🎩

#MicroSky #DrSeussDay #OhThePlacesYoullGo #MicrobialGenomics
#AcademicChatter #AcademicSky #SciSky
March 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM
helenmcneil.bsky.social
I’m looking forward to hearing from @julianparkhill.bsky.social at #CMINorwich25

#MicrobialGenomics #MicroSky
February 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
helenmcneil.bsky.social
Lunch looks fabulous 😋
#CMINorwich25
February 26, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
MicrobesNG POPUP Conference is coming to Norwich! It's a FREE #MicrobialGenomics conference 3rd Jul

ECR's submit your abstract (talk or poster) by 3rd Apr www.surveymonkey.com/r/POP_UP_NOR

Please repost!

Organised with @getgenome.bsky.social & @norwichmicro.bsky.social

#MNGPopUp #ECR #MicroSky
A promotional banner for the MicrobesNG Pop-Up event at Norwich Research Park. The banner features an aerial image of a research facility with a pink text box stating, 'We're coming to NORWICH RESEARCH PARK.' The event is scheduled for 3rd July 2025, from 9:30 to 16:30. Highlights include 'Cool Science,' 'Friendly Networking,' 'Free Lunch,' and a 'Best Talk/Poster Prize.' A QR code and link (https://linktr.ee/microbesng) are provided for free registration. The event is supported by the Centre for Microbial Interactions, Get Genome, and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). The design incorporates blue, pink, and white colors with modern graphics and icons
February 19, 2025 at 8:03 AM
helenmcneil.bsky.social
Very glad I don't have to stand up in front of any one and pronounce that 😱
superbugs.bsky.social Superbugs 🦠🔬🏫🧒🏽 @superbugs.bsky.social · Feb 18
Fun fact: did you know that the slime bacterium Myxococcus llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogochensis holds the record for having the longest scientific name of any living or fossil organism?

No joke, this species really exists!

🦠🧫🔬🧐
Longest name — Superbugs - The microbial world in, on and around us
www.superbugs.online
February 18, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
Lots of new PhD opportunities in microbial genomics:

🌽 Soil microbiome functions for sustainable agriculture with @szytynska.bsky.social

🦠 Microbial Influences on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Phage Susceptibility with @jojofoth.bsky.social

🧬 Phage characterisation with @proffballoux.bsky.social
January 23, 2025 at 10:21 AM
helenmcneil.bsky.social
I 💙 finding out what our customers do with the data that @microbesng.bsky.social send out!

@meina.bsky.social et al have named 28 actinomycetes after amazing #WomenInScience 👩‍🔬

@leibniz-dsmz.bsky.social are doing a post about each one & they're well worth a read! #MicrobialGenomics #MicroSky #IDsky
leibniz-dsmz.bsky.social Leibniz Institute DSMZ @leibniz-dsmz.bsky.social · Nov 27
DSMZ researchers characterized and named 28 actinomycetes with inhibiting effects against other microbes. Honouring the impact of female scientists, they named the newly described bacteria exclusively after #womeninscience.
👉 tinyurl.com/3uhs8ypc

#biodiversity #antibiotics #microbes
📷 DSMZ
New antibiotic producers described: Old DSMZ treasures with new potential
Researchers name newly described bacteria exclusively after female scientists
tinyurl.com
December 13, 2024 at 12:44 PM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
📢 We’re excited to announce that we will provide genome sequencing to an international project to help combat diarrhoeal disease, which can be deadly.

@ksbakes.bsky.social will be speaking to @evanhd.bsky.social on BBC Radio 4 PM TONIGHT about the project! 🧬🦠

#GenomeSequencing #MicrobialGenomics
A graphic with a light blue background featuring a quote from Professor Nick Loman, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of MicrobesNG. The quote reads: 'This project realises the hope I had in setting up MicrobesNG ten years ago; any research team, anywhere in the world could access affordable, high-quality genomic sequencing for their work.' On the right side of the graphic is a portrait of Professor Nick Loman, wearing a grey blazer and blue checkered shirt, smiling slightly, with a patterned background behind him. A graphic with a light blue background featuring a quote from Professor Kate Baker, Chair in Applied Microbial Genomics at the University of Cambridge and UKHSA. The quote reads: 'Shigella have been a leading cause of diarrheal disease for over a century. This study will allow us to understand genetic changes over time, which is crucial for tracking spread of disease and will help shape vaccination programs. MicrobesNG is an incredible partner for the group and has allowed us to work together across borders.' On the right side of the graphic is a portrait of Professor Kate Baker, wearing glasses and a dark shirt, smiling with an outdoor background A graphic with a light blue background featuring a quote from Dr Jahangir Hossain, Principal Investigator of the EFGH at MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM. The quote reads: 'By sequencing Shigella isolates, we are uncovering vital data that will help to combat this pathogen and directly benefit children in The Gambia, who are most vulnerable to diarrheal diseases. It will also, provide critical insights into antibiotic resistance and local disease patterns.' On the right side of the graphic is a picture of four members of the Enterics for Global Health (EFGH) molecular team for The Gambia, standing in a laboratory setting. They are wearing white lab coats and are positioned near laboratory equipment, including a computer with scientific data displayed. A graphic with a light blue background featuring a quote from PDr. Patricia Pavlinac, University of Washington, Seattle, US, Coordinating Principle Investigator of EFGH. The quote reads: 'The EFGH study represents an important partnership among researchers around the world working together towards a common goal of averting Shigella disease. Equipped with sequencing data from MicrobesNG and training in the analysis and interpretation this sub study is positioned to make a huge impact in our understanding of shigellosis worldwide.' On the right side of the graphic is a picture of Dr. Patricia Pavlinac, smiling with an outdoor background.
December 10, 2024 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
🚨 We've joined the fight against Shigella! EFGH's global team of scientists, supported by @gatesfoundation.bsky.social is using our services to gather crucial genomic data that could pave the way for a vaccine to save children’s lives 🌍🧬

#Shigella #MicrobialGenomics

microbesng.com/news/microbe...
Four members of the Enterics for Global Health (EFGH) molecular team for The Gambia, standing in a laboratory setting. They are wearing white lab coats and are positioned near laboratory equipment, including a computer with scientific data displayed. @mrcunitgambia
December 10, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
altmetric.com
www.stm-publishing.com/altmetric-ad...
Altmetric adds Bluesky social media as a research attention source
Digital Science is excited to announce that Altmetric, which gauges the online attention of research, has added the social media platform Bluesky as a new attention source for published research.
www.stm-publishing.com
December 4, 2024 at 11:49 AM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
lillycummins.bsky.social
🚨ECR OPPORTUNITY🚨 Access Microbiology is recruiting Editor Mentees! A fab opportunity to develop editorial skills, no experience required #MicroSky

microbiologysociety.org/news/full-ne...
<i>Access Microbiology</i> Editor and Editor Mentee roles: call for expressions of interest
microbiologysociety.org
November 22, 2024 at 10:52 AM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
laurawilliams.bsky.social
World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week #WAAW

With AMR on the rise, we need innovative new strategies for treating bacterial infections. Predatory bacteria evolved to hunt and kill other bacteria.
Phage are viruses that can destroy bacteria.
Neither attack human cells.
dralhubb.bsky.social Alasdair Hubbard @dralhubb.bsky.social · Nov 20
Final session at #EastMidsAMR kicked off by Laura Hobley and Robert Atterbury on phage and predatory bacteria to combat AMR. Demonstrate of success in treating polymicrobial infections with phage with no impact on gut microbiome. Also the promise of Bdellovibrio treatment!
November 22, 2024 at 2:37 AM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
microbesng.bsky.social
MRSA in fish markets? 🐟🦠

New research from Cochin Uni & ICAR-CIFT reveals methicillin-resistant staphylococci in Assam fish markets highlighting the need for One Health to tackle #AMR in food supply chains

🔗 Read more: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

#Genomics #OneHealth #WAAW #Microsky
Genomic portraits of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) from food fish unveiled the genes associated with staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP), virulence and antimicrobial resistance - BMC Micro...
Background Characteristics of non-clinical strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) especially from fishery environment are poorly understood. This research, in addition to compre...
link.springer.com
November 21, 2024 at 10:08 AM
Reposted by Helen McNeil
superbugs.bsky.social
"Superbugs kill more than a million people each year but neither governments nor the public recognise the scale of the threat, doctors complain."

www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
‘It is a pandemic’: UK’s envoy on superbugs says scale of threat underestimated
Dame Sally Davies says action on deadly antibiotic-resistant infections must be prioritised
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2024 at 4:30 PM