Patricia Bernal
@pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
2.1K followers 1.9K following 230 posts
Group Leader & Associate Professor of Microbiology at Universidad de Sevilla. I am interested in Microbiology, Pseudomonas putida, T6SS, biocontrol and scicomm Website: personal.us.es/pbguzman 📍University of Seville
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pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
Our paper, describing how the T6SSs of P. putida shape the tomato rhizosphere, is now in its final format in @isme-microbes.bsky.social ISME Communications. If you'd like to learn more, here is a thread (1/11) or read the Article doi.org/10.1093/isme....
Reposted by Patricia Bernal
vdlorenzo.bsky.social
Université Grenoble Alpes opens a full professorship in microbiology in 2026. The selected candidate will develop their research program on quantitative approaches in microbiology in the Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique. More info: liphy.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/en/join-us/r...
Professorship (tenure) in 'Quantitative approaches in microbiology' (CNU Sections 64/65) | LIPhy - Université Grenoble Alpes
liphy.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr
Reposted by Patricia Bernal
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
Our paper, describing how the T6SSs of P. putida shape the tomato rhizosphere, is now in its final format in @isme-microbes.bsky.social ISME Communications. If you'd like to learn more, here is a thread (1/11) or read the Article doi.org/10.1093/isme....
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
Our research places the T6SS as a critical factor driving the evolution of complex polymicrobial communities within the plant rhizosphere, providing valuable insights for agricultural applications involving beneficial microbes and plant health management strategies. (11/11)
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pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
In conclusion, we have shown that the T6SSs are essential for competitive rhizosphere colonisation. The wildtype P. putida strain significantly alters the bacterial community structure compared to T6SS mutants. (10/11)
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
The K1-T6SS specifically affects taxa such as Rhizobiaceae while the K2/K3-T6SSs exclusively affect other groups like Azospirillaceae.
The systems impact a wide phylogenetic range, modulating the abundance of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in the rhizosphere. (9/11)
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
The presence of wildtype P. putida strain significantly alters the community structure (beta-diversity) of the resident microbial community when compared to T6SS mutants. Our analysis reveals that the different T6SS clusters show specificity, demonstrating a flexible competitive strategy. (8/11)
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
This substantial decrease underscores the critical role of the T6SSs in persistence within this highly competitive environment, enabling P. putida to successfully establish and outcompete other microbial inhabitants. (7/11)
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
We found that these secretion systems are key for effective rhizosphere colonisation. When tomato plants were inoculated with T6SS-deficient mutant strains, there was a significant reduction in bacterial recovery from the rhizosphere compared to the wildtype strain. (6/11)
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
We demonstrate for the first time the functionality of the K2 and/or K3-T6SS clusters. Silent against standard lab strains, they became functional in vitro against plant pathogens and in vivo within the rhizosphere microbiota, suggesting an adaptive response to competitive pressure.(5/11)
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
P. putida KT2440 is equipped with three T6SS clusters: K1, K2, and K3. Previously, only the K1-T6SS was known to be active under laboratory conditions, where it kills severe plant pathogens such as P. syringae and X. campestris. (4/11)
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
Here, we focused on the rhizosphere, the dense, complex microbial community associated with plant roots. While many plant-associated bacteria contain T6SSs, their overall influence on shaping the rhizosphere microbiota remained limited. (3/11)
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
The T6SSs are contractile nanomachines used by Gram-negative bacteria for contact-dependent elimination of competitors through the delivery of toxic effectors. They are considered influential mechanisms driving the evolution of complex polymicrobial communities, like the gut microbiota. (2/11)
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
Our paper, describing how the T6SSs of P. putida shape the tomato rhizosphere, is now in its final format in @isme-microbes.bsky.social ISME Communications. If you'd like to learn more, here is a thread (1/11) or read the Article doi.org/10.1093/isme....
Reposted by Patricia Bernal
gunnarns.bsky.social
SAVE THE DATE!

The 2026 UK CellularMicrobiologyNetwork meeting will be held 22nd - 23rd of June at @wwiem-qub.bsky.social in Belfast.

Researchers from the UK and beyond are invited to share exciting work on the mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions.

Follow us to stay tuned! www.ukcellmicro.org
Reposted by Patricia Bernal
vdlorenzo.bsky.social
Off to @caltechlcssp.bsky.social to follow up the conversation started past Feb in Asilomar on *Biotech Beyond Conventional Containment*. Time to rethink the (now banned) release of Lab-trained microorganisms for extensive environmental remediation in view of new genet technols & urgent global needs
Reposted by Patricia Bernal
Reposted by Patricia Bernal
proftracypalmer.bsky.social
Check it out! A proper team effort from past and present group members and a great collaboration with @sergemostowylab.bsky.social
biorxiv-microbiol.bsky.social
The Staphylococcus aureus LXG-domain toxins EsxX and SAR0287 do not promote virulence in a zebrafish larval infection model https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.04.680436v1
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
Secretion Days was a great meeting! Congratulations to the organisers and speakers, you were fantastic!!! Special kudos for the outstanding keynote speaker @archaellum.bsky.social I fell in love with archaea ❤️ and I am super excited to realise there is still so much to be discovered and be learnt
juliengiraud.bsky.social
Amazing science at the 2nd edition of the Secretion Days in Marseille 🌞 ! Huge thanks to all participants and to @archaellum.bsky.social for an outstanding opening talk. Looking forward to the next edition!
pbernalt6ss.bsky.social
It was great!! Congratulations everyone 👏 👏👏
Reposted by Patricia Bernal
archaellum.bsky.social
Look at this nice cover: beautiful archaella, image made by @sshamphavi.bsky.social !

Thanks also to Marta Rodeiguez for keeping the EM im shape in @ottlab.bsky.social lab!

At @biologyunifreiburg.bsky.social at @uni-freiburg.de @sfb1381.bsky.social @cibss.bsky.social
natmicrobiol.nature.com
Some keen Observations in Our October issue!

🦠 Cancer microbiome
🌊 Marine microbes in warming oceans
🌐 broad-range phages
🧬 genetically minimised Salmonella
🔧 Viral infection mechanisms
🧪 Oxaloacetate antiviral defence

and more, here: www.nature.com/nmicrobiol/v...
Reposted by Patricia Bernal
ibvf-sevilla.bsky.social
Three innovative research projects from the IBVF (CSIC–US) will receive over €500,000 in funding from the Andalusian Regional Government @eegutierrez.bsky.social @angelesaroca.bsky.social @dbvybm.bsky.social @unisevilla.bsky.social @csicandalextrem.bsky.social

More info in our web: l1nq.com/juASe
Reposted by Patricia Bernal
fillouxlab.bsky.social
Nice to see Genevieve @lcbofficiel.bsky.social and Patricia @pbernalt6ss.bsky.social meeting in Marseille to exchange about protein secretion
Reposted by Patricia Bernal
zaminiqbal.bsky.social
Delighted to see our paper studying the evolution of plasmids over the last 100 years, now out! Years of work by Adrian Cazares, also Nick Thomson @sangerinstitute.bsky.social - this version much improved over the preprint. Final version should be open access, apols.
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