Morwan Osman
@morwan.me
Mycobacteriologist and Postdoctoral Fellow in the York Bioenergetics Lab, University Of York (@jnb-lab.bsky.social).
Formerly: @pembroke1347.bsky.social & @mrclmb.bsky.social. @mcbseattle.bsky.social PhD.
Formerly: @pembroke1347.bsky.social & @mrclmb.bsky.social. @mcbseattle.bsky.social PhD.
Pinned
Morwan Osman
@morwan.me
· Dec 6
Finally we are able to share our story on the molecular mechanism of the transformative anti-tuberculosis drug bedaquiline within living cells
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A (hopefully) broadly-accessible tutorial below ⬇️ (it ended up being really long!)
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A (hopefully) broadly-accessible tutorial below ⬇️ (it ended up being really long!)
bioRxiv Manuscript Processing System
Manuscript Processing System for bioRxiv.
submit.biorxiv.org
Our first TB preprint with @jnb-lab.bsky.social is out! Using spectroscopic techniques from our lab, we resolve the exact mode of action of everyone's favourite TB drug, bedaquiline. I'd like to add a few comments about the microbiology part of the picture! #TBsky #MicroSky (1/7)
Reposted by Morwan Osman
How can we tell whether an antibiotic eradicates an infection? Researchers from the @biomedizin.unibas.ch, at the @unibas.ch, present an antimicrobial single-cell microscopy-based method that measures antibiotic lethality in individual bacteria.
🔗 doi.org/10.1038/s415...
@natmicrobiol.nature.com
🔗 doi.org/10.1038/s415...
@natmicrobiol.nature.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:54 AM
How can we tell whether an antibiotic eradicates an infection? Researchers from the @biomedizin.unibas.ch, at the @unibas.ch, present an antimicrobial single-cell microscopy-based method that measures antibiotic lethality in individual bacteria.
🔗 doi.org/10.1038/s415...
@natmicrobiol.nature.com
🔗 doi.org/10.1038/s415...
@natmicrobiol.nature.com
Reposted by Morwan Osman
Happy to share a new preprint exploring the unusual biochemistry of a "weirdly" diverged cytochrome c in malaria parasites that exemplifies a lineage common to many apicomplexan parasites. @uofubiochem.bsky.social @uuhsresearch.bsky.social @uofutahcihd.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
A Divergent Cytochrome c in Malaria Parasites with an Anomalously Low Redox Potential
Eukaryotic cytochrome (cyt) c is a highly conserved mitochondrial protein central to cellular respiration, featuring a covalently attached hexacoordinate heme whose redox potential is tuned by axial H...
www.biorxiv.org
December 26, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Happy to share a new preprint exploring the unusual biochemistry of a "weirdly" diverged cytochrome c in malaria parasites that exemplifies a lineage common to many apicomplexan parasites. @uofubiochem.bsky.social @uuhsresearch.bsky.social @uofutahcihd.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Morwan Osman
did it in four words hemmingway
December 9, 2025 at 10:15 PM
did it in four words hemmingway
Reposted by Morwan Osman
I can’t believe a technical solution to a complex social problem didn’t work. Ah well, nevertheless
One Laptop Per Child, 10 years later: "we find no significant effects on academic performance but some evidence of negative effects on grade progression... computer access significantly improved students’ computer skills but not their cognitive skills" www.nber.org/papers/w34495
Laptops in the Long Run: Evidence from the One Laptop per Child Program in Rural Peru
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, an...
www.nber.org
December 7, 2025 at 9:26 PM
I can’t believe a technical solution to a complex social problem didn’t work. Ah well, nevertheless
Reposted by Morwan Osman
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an outlier in many ways. One of them is keeping a high degree of functional redundancy despite its obligate pathogen lifestyle. In this review, we reflect on the biological meaning of M. tuberculosis functional redundancies.
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
Essential redundancies fuel Mycobacterium tuberculosis adaptation to the host
Redundancy in biology is, at a glance, counterintuitive because if the function of two gene products completely overlaps then, throughout the course of evolution, one of the genes will likely accumula...
journals.plos.org
December 7, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an outlier in many ways. One of them is keeping a high degree of functional redundancy despite its obligate pathogen lifestyle. In this review, we reflect on the biological meaning of M. tuberculosis functional redundancies.
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
Reposted by Morwan Osman
1/ A year ago, a 71-year-old Louisiana man died from H5N1, marking the first avian flu death in the US. Now we report in @jem.org that the cause of his death is rogue autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFN (AutoAb-IFN). doi.org/10.1084/jem....
December 5, 2025 at 6:59 PM
1/ A year ago, a 71-year-old Louisiana man died from H5N1, marking the first avian flu death in the US. Now we report in @jem.org that the cause of his death is rogue autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFN (AutoAb-IFN). doi.org/10.1084/jem....
Reposted by Morwan Osman
Hey friends. I’m looking for a postdoc interested in studying host-pathogen interactions and immunology of tuberculosis. Send me some good people! We have a great group here! Email me [email protected]. Thanks!
December 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Hey friends. I’m looking for a postdoc interested in studying host-pathogen interactions and immunology of tuberculosis. Send me some good people! We have a great group here! Email me [email protected]. Thanks!
Reposted by Morwan Osman
If you or someone you know is looking for a post-doctoral position working on mycobacterial envelope biology, please get in touch. I am recruiting here at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada.
December 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM
If you or someone you know is looking for a post-doctoral position working on mycobacterial envelope biology, please get in touch. I am recruiting here at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada.
Reposted by Morwan Osman
Now properly published at @natcomms.nature.com with few additional experiments incl. demonstration of Daptomycin's ability to depolarise non-growing cells.
See the original preprint-thread for a summary of our findings.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#microsky
See the original preprint-thread for a summary of our findings.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#microsky
November 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Now properly published at @natcomms.nature.com with few additional experiments incl. demonstration of Daptomycin's ability to depolarise non-growing cells.
See the original preprint-thread for a summary of our findings.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#microsky
See the original preprint-thread for a summary of our findings.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#microsky
Reposted by Morwan Osman
Are you looking for female speakers in CryoEM for seminars and conferences? Are you a woman in CryoEM and not yet on the ‚woman in CryoEM‘ list? Find your speakers and add/update name and affiliation! docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
November 18, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Are you looking for female speakers in CryoEM for seminars and conferences? Are you a woman in CryoEM and not yet on the ‚woman in CryoEM‘ list? Find your speakers and add/update name and affiliation! docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Reposted by Morwan Osman
How does the well tolerated anti-hyperglycemic drug #metformin inhibit mitochondrial complex I?
In our new paper, we use structures, MD and kinetics to show that metformin inhibits by a distinct mechanism that more hydrophobic, less well tolerated, biguanides.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In our new paper, we use structures, MD and kinetics to show that metformin inhibits by a distinct mechanism that more hydrophobic, less well tolerated, biguanides.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Hydrophilic metformin and hydrophobic biguanides inhibit mitochondrial complex I by distinct mechanisms - Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
He, Teng and Yang et al. report how metformin, the widely used antidiabetic drug, inhibit its target, the respiratory complex I, through a distinct state-dependent, inhibitor trapping mechanism, thus ...
www.nature.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM
How does the well tolerated anti-hyperglycemic drug #metformin inhibit mitochondrial complex I?
In our new paper, we use structures, MD and kinetics to show that metformin inhibits by a distinct mechanism that more hydrophobic, less well tolerated, biguanides.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In our new paper, we use structures, MD and kinetics to show that metformin inhibits by a distinct mechanism that more hydrophobic, less well tolerated, biguanides.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Morwan Osman
The diderm cell envelope is not a stack of layers but a unified scaffold of Inner Membrane–Peptidoglycan–Outer Membrane.
We discuss how tethering the OM to the PG in E. coli preserves integrity — and extend the concept across diderm bacteria.
Curr Opin Microbiol: doi.org/10.1016/j.mi...
#microsky 🔬
We discuss how tethering the OM to the PG in E. coli preserves integrity — and extend the concept across diderm bacteria.
Curr Opin Microbiol: doi.org/10.1016/j.mi...
#microsky 🔬
Redirecting
doi.org
November 13, 2025 at 12:17 PM
The diderm cell envelope is not a stack of layers but a unified scaffold of Inner Membrane–Peptidoglycan–Outer Membrane.
We discuss how tethering the OM to the PG in E. coli preserves integrity — and extend the concept across diderm bacteria.
Curr Opin Microbiol: doi.org/10.1016/j.mi...
#microsky 🔬
We discuss how tethering the OM to the PG in E. coli preserves integrity — and extend the concept across diderm bacteria.
Curr Opin Microbiol: doi.org/10.1016/j.mi...
#microsky 🔬
Reposted by Morwan Osman
Assembly, architecture and functional roles of microbial surface layers www.nature.com/articles/s41... #jcampubs
Assembly, architecture and functional roles of microbial surface layers - Nature Reviews Microbiology
Surface layers (S-layers) are ubiquitous protein assemblies that coat prokaryotic cells, with their functional roles increasingly coming into focus. In this Review, Isbilir and colleagues discuss rece...
www.nature.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Assembly, architecture and functional roles of microbial surface layers www.nature.com/articles/s41... #jcampubs
Reposted by Morwan Osman
The panic that kicks in at 2pm every day when I realize it gets dark in two hours
November 12, 2025 at 10:07 PM
The panic that kicks in at 2pm every day when I realize it gets dark in two hours
Reposted by Morwan Osman
I presented our preclinical work on the BNT164 #Tuberculosis candidates. This work is now also available as a preprint!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
mRNA-based tuberculosis vaccines BNT164a1 and BNT164b1 are immunogenic, well-tolerated and efficacious in rodent models
We designed and preclinically tested two mRNA-LNP-based vaccine candidates to protect against tuberculosis (TB). BNT164a1 and BNT164b1 encode the same eight Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb ) antigens...
www.biorxiv.org
November 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
I presented our preclinical work on the BNT164 #Tuberculosis candidates. This work is now also available as a preprint!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Morwan Osman
It’s 12 November, so it’s time to mark the 55th anniversary of the exploding whale of Oregon, an attempt to clear a cetacean carcass from a beach which prompted one reporter to say “The blast blasted blubber beyond all believable bounds”
November 12, 2025 at 9:58 AM
It’s 12 November, so it’s time to mark the 55th anniversary of the exploding whale of Oregon, an attempt to clear a cetacean carcass from a beach which prompted one reporter to say “The blast blasted blubber beyond all believable bounds”
Reposted by Morwan Osman
Exciting news! I have two positions open in my lab at the UoManchester: one PDRA and one Research Tech.
Join our team to study evolutionary mycology and help us understand antifungal resistance in fungal pathogens. A fantastic opportunity to join the brilliant Manchester Fungal Infection Group!
Join our team to study evolutionary mycology and help us understand antifungal resistance in fungal pathogens. A fantastic opportunity to join the brilliant Manchester Fungal Infection Group!
November 5, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Exciting news! I have two positions open in my lab at the UoManchester: one PDRA and one Research Tech.
Join our team to study evolutionary mycology and help us understand antifungal resistance in fungal pathogens. A fantastic opportunity to join the brilliant Manchester Fungal Infection Group!
Join our team to study evolutionary mycology and help us understand antifungal resistance in fungal pathogens. A fantastic opportunity to join the brilliant Manchester Fungal Infection Group!
Reposted by Morwan Osman
Considering the LMB for your PhD?
We’ve got over 25 projects available, covering a wide array of topics. Check them out here: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/students/int...
Apply by 2nd DEC for Autumn 2026 admission.
We’ve got over 25 projects available, covering a wide array of topics. Check them out here: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/students/int...
Apply by 2nd DEC for Autumn 2026 admission.
November 10, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Considering the LMB for your PhD?
We’ve got over 25 projects available, covering a wide array of topics. Check them out here: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/students/int...
Apply by 2nd DEC for Autumn 2026 admission.
We’ve got over 25 projects available, covering a wide array of topics. Check them out here: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/students/int...
Apply by 2nd DEC for Autumn 2026 admission.
Reposted by Morwan Osman
📢 Interested in #chromosomes 🧬 & #archaea thriving at the edge of life? PhD project in York,UK on how archaea pass on their genome to daughter cells.Friendly supervisors: me, @steve-quinn-lab.bsky.social & @georgerheath.bsky.social
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
📅 January 7, 2026
Please RP🙏thx!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
📅 January 7, 2026
Please RP🙏thx!
November 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM
📢 Interested in #chromosomes 🧬 & #archaea thriving at the edge of life? PhD project in York,UK on how archaea pass on their genome to daughter cells.Friendly supervisors: me, @steve-quinn-lab.bsky.social & @georgerheath.bsky.social
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
📅 January 7, 2026
Please RP🙏thx!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
📅 January 7, 2026
Please RP🙏thx!
Reposted by Morwan Osman
A great collaboration with Jukka Corander and colleagues, to define the population structure of this important global pathogen
A first step towards identifying candidate antigens for new improved vaccines...
@tropicalmedicine.ox.ac.uk @wellcometrust.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A first step towards identifying candidate antigens for new improved vaccines...
@tropicalmedicine.ox.ac.uk @wellcometrust.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Genetic population structure of Haemophilus influenzae at local and global scales - Nature Microbiology
Large-scale sequencing and population genomic analyses reveal frequent transmission, a highly admixed global population structure and evidence of pervasive negative selection in Haemophilus influenzae...
www.nature.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:16 AM
A great collaboration with Jukka Corander and colleagues, to define the population structure of this important global pathogen
A first step towards identifying candidate antigens for new improved vaccines...
@tropicalmedicine.ox.ac.uk @wellcometrust.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A first step towards identifying candidate antigens for new improved vaccines...
@tropicalmedicine.ox.ac.uk @wellcometrust.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Morwan Osman
Reposted by Morwan Osman
Looking for an AMR-themed PhD project? Join us to investigate antibiotic tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus through a fully funded MRC DTP PhD studentship starting in September 2026.
This project is close collaboration with @kateduncan.bsky.social and @mycobacterium-ncl.bsky.social.
This project is close collaboration with @kateduncan.bsky.social and @mycobacterium-ncl.bsky.social.
MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership: Resensitisation of antibiotic-tolerant Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants at Newcastle University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership: Resensitisation of antibiotic-tolerant Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants at Newcastle University, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Looking for an AMR-themed PhD project? Join us to investigate antibiotic tolerance in Staphylococcus aureus through a fully funded MRC DTP PhD studentship starting in September 2026.
This project is close collaboration with @kateduncan.bsky.social and @mycobacterium-ncl.bsky.social.
This project is close collaboration with @kateduncan.bsky.social and @mycobacterium-ncl.bsky.social.
Reposted by Morwan Osman
🔬Want to develop a blood test for dementia? A fully funded PhD position is available in our lab to probe and detect single molecules! Join our team @york.ac.uk
! Find out more & apply by 4th Dec:
tinyurl.com/yt36p9tx
@ybri-uoy.bsky.social @ei-science.bsky.social @timcraggs.bsky.social
! Find out more & apply by 4th Dec:
tinyurl.com/yt36p9tx
@ybri-uoy.bsky.social @ei-science.bsky.social @timcraggs.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 4:14 PM
🔬Want to develop a blood test for dementia? A fully funded PhD position is available in our lab to probe and detect single molecules! Join our team @york.ac.uk
! Find out more & apply by 4th Dec:
tinyurl.com/yt36p9tx
@ybri-uoy.bsky.social @ei-science.bsky.social @timcraggs.bsky.social
! Find out more & apply by 4th Dec:
tinyurl.com/yt36p9tx
@ybri-uoy.bsky.social @ei-science.bsky.social @timcraggs.bsky.social
Reposted by Morwan Osman
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Read it if you dare. Happy Halloween
Read it if you dare. Happy Halloween
VadK, a Non-Canonical Kinase that Regulates the Methylcitrate Cycle and is Essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Virulence
The evolution of new enzymatic functions is constrained and guided by the architecture of an organisms metabolic and regulatory networks as well as by environmental constraints. Here, we identify a pr...
www.biorxiv.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:05 PM
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Read it if you dare. Happy Halloween
Read it if you dare. Happy Halloween