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Mark O. Martin

@markowenmartin.bsky.social

2.5K followers 250 following 4.5K posts

Microbial evangelist and podcaster. Husband, father, moderate. Associate Professor at the University of Puget Sound, facing retirement in June of 2026. Looking for what is next that sparks microbial joy.

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Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 11h

New episode of #MattersMicrobial! The superlative Dr. Jeff Gralnick chats with the #QualityQuorum about bacteria that breathe metal! Please spread the #GoodMicrobialWord! @univpugetsound @asmicrobiology @microbe.tv

youtu.be/rh-TK2Bvxj8?...

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Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 11h

Fridays are busy these days. First, a 7AM PT podcast session with the great Dr. Petra Levin, to discuss bacterial stress, size, and antibiotic resistance for Episode 112 releasted next week. Such fun to chat with a TWiMmer!

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Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 11h

What we did this week in my #Bio350 #Microbiology course at @univpugetsound. Agar “pitters,” pigmented bacteria, and a search for antibiotic producing microbes! @asmicrobiology @MicrobeTV #MicronautsRule #MicrobialCentrism

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Reposted by Mark O. Martin

Catalina Cuellar-Gempeler @catalicu.bsky.social · 14h

Yes! Microbial ambassadors !

International Microbiology Literacy Initiative - IMiLI @imili-micro.bsky.social · 14h

Because microbes are largely invisible 🧫 🦠 , most people remain unaware of them and the opportunities they offer for solving global problems. This knowledge gap (microbiology illiteracy) leads to poor or harmful decisions. IMILI aims to help close key gaps. Follow for updates.

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Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

Real perspective. Gratitude and humility are important.

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

I have been quite sad at looming retirement, & I wanted to show you why. I made a joke the other day in microbiology lecture, telling #Bio350 #Micronauts at the University of Puget Sound to “keep me in the loop” as they studied. The inoculating loop! A #Micronaut just sent this to me! @microbe.tv

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 1d

Azula of the #FireSkinkNation loves pupae. Such an adorable skinkadoo!!

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

Ah, the hardest truth.

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

Sad but true. Cherish the people who do value you, treat you with respect, and stand by you.

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

Another week clear.

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

My Dairy Cow isopods are reproducing like crazy. I was warned.

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Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 2d

Time to chat about Angelina Hesse, cooking, agar, Petri dishes, marine microbiology, and agarases. @univpugetsound @asmicrobiology @MicrobeTV #Micronauts #Bio350 #MicrobialCentricity

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Reposted by Mark O. Martin

Cameron Thrash @jcamthrash.bsky.social · 2d

A Global Deep Terrestrial Biosphere Core Microbiome academic.oup.com/ismecommun/a... #jcampubs

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Reposted by Mark O. Martin

Cameron Thrash @jcamthrash.bsky.social · 2d

Carbon metabolism shapes FtsZ levels and cell division in the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120 www.nature.com/articles/s42... #jcampubs

Carbon metabolism shapes FtsZ levels and cell division in the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120 - Communications Biology

This study provides evidence on how carbon metabolism regulates cell division among cyanobacteria. Manipulation of the TCA pathway directly impacts the FtsZ-dependent cell division by regulating its expression via the transcriptional factor NtcA.

www.nature.com

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Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 3d

One of my #Bio350 #Micronauts at @univpugetsound found some agar degrading microbes—-pitters—-from a seawater sample. #MarineMicrobiologicalSafari #MicrobialCentrism @asmicrobiology @MicrobeTV

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 4d

Late night #DeepMicrobialThoughts.

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 4d

The future looms! Please think positive thoughts so I can manifest a role as a "MIcrobial Evangelist" after the end of June!

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 4d

My zebra isopods are doing well! This species rolls up when disturbed.

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 4d

Three cheers for protein. These guys are ravenous. Isopods FTW.

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Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 4d

Schedule for next Fall is out. I am not on it, because I will be retired. In the back of my mind, I thought I might be asked back to teach. But a colleague will be teaching micro in the Fall instead of me. It's an odd feeling, but natural. I need to find an outlet for my microbial enthusiasm.

a man with a beard is wearing a black jacket with the words move on with your life below him

ALT: a man with a beard is wearing a black jacket with the words move on with your life below him

media.tenor.com

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 5d

I have concerns.

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 5d

We should talk!

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 5d

A lovely agarolytic red marine bacterium pitting the agar that solidifies the nutrient medium. Part of a #MarineMicrobiologicalSafari for my #Bio350 #Micronauts at @univpugetsound . @ASMicrobiology #PitterParty @microbe.tv

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Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 5d

Eeek.

Mark O. Martin @markowenmartin.bsky.social · 5d

Eeek.