Thom Booth
@thombooth.bsky.social
NNF Postdoctoral Fellow at DTU Biosustain. Interested in the discovery and evolution of biosynthetic pathways.
Another example from the fungal kingdom is Aspergillus flavus vs. oryzae. The genomes are almost identical in size (and very similar over all). One is a horrendous pathogen and the other is benign!
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30408940/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30408940/
Whole genome comparison of Aspergillus flavus and A. oryzae - PubMed
Aspergillus flavus is a plant and animal pathogen that also produces the potent carcinogen aflatoxin. Aspergillus oryzae is a closely related species that has been used for centuries in the food fermentation industry and is Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS). Whole genome sequences for these two fung …
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
December 24, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Another example from the fungal kingdom is Aspergillus flavus vs. oryzae. The genomes are almost identical in size (and very similar over all). One is a horrendous pathogen and the other is benign!
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30408940/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30408940/
Are you working with a particular pathogen. As I mentioned below, opportunistic pathogens, for example, have no selective pressure for genome reduction. Unfortunately, I had a quick search and couldn't find a citation (although several papers claim it because it is obvious!).
December 24, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Are you working with a particular pathogen. As I mentioned below, opportunistic pathogens, for example, have no selective pressure for genome reduction. Unfortunately, I had a quick search and couldn't find a citation (although several papers claim it because it is obvious!).
I would also add that genome reduction only makes sense in obligate pathogens. I think the reason we don't see genome reduction in scabies etc. is because they are facultative (or possibly opportunistic).
December 24, 2025 at 9:19 AM
I would also add that genome reduction only makes sense in obligate pathogens. I think the reason we don't see genome reduction in scabies etc. is because they are facultative (or possibly opportunistic).
Reposted by Thom Booth
Then @thombooth.bsky.social used the presence/absence of known telomere proteins to identify a potentially new telomere protein which is linked to the Sg2247 class telomere, which previously did not have an identified maintenance system (notice the dot in the red circle)
October 15, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Then @thombooth.bsky.social used the presence/absence of known telomere proteins to identify a potentially new telomere protein which is linked to the Sg2247 class telomere, which previously did not have an identified maintenance system (notice the dot in the red circle)
It really was a pleasure!
October 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
It really was a pleasure!
Is it time to start calling out the scientific board? Why aren't these people laughed out of town?
September 20, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Is it time to start calling out the scientific board? Why aren't these people laughed out of town?
Reposted by Thom Booth
A great story begun by Siobhan Dorai-Raj and taken over the line by @thombooth.bsky.social and Juan Pablo Gomez-Escribano. It's been tremendous fun and wonderful to watch old lab members become collaborators and leaders!
July 15, 2025 at 9:42 AM
A great story begun by Siobhan Dorai-Raj and taken over the line by @thombooth.bsky.social and Juan Pablo Gomez-Escribano. It's been tremendous fun and wonderful to watch old lab members become collaborators and leaders!
I should also add, thanks to you Susan! And everyone else who gave feedback at ISBA. It was incredibly helpful!
July 9, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I should also add, thanks to you Susan! And everyone else who gave feedback at ISBA. It was incredibly helpful!
Is this what they were talking about when they said 'ignorance is bliss'?
July 9, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Is this what they were talking about when they said 'ignorance is bliss'?
I can't reach you on here apparently, but I will send you an email tomorrow. :)
July 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I can't reach you on here apparently, but I will send you an email tomorrow. :)
Hi! Thanks for the kind words! It is reassuring to see other people as excited about this as we are! I'll send you a DM now! :)
July 9, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Hi! Thanks for the kind words! It is reassuring to see other people as excited about this as we are! I'll send you a DM now! :)
Sorry David, I forgot to tag you! @tweakyaustin.bsky.social
July 9, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Sorry David, I forgot to tag you! @tweakyaustin.bsky.social
Also to all the funders and institutions involved: @leibniz-dsmz.bsky.social, @johninnescentre.bsky.social, @earlhaminst.bsky.social, @dtu.dk, @novo-nordisk.bsky.social and the BBSRC.
6/6
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July 9, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Also to all the funders and institutions involved: @leibniz-dsmz.bsky.social, @johninnescentre.bsky.social, @earlhaminst.bsky.social, @dtu.dk, @novo-nordisk.bsky.social and the BBSRC.
6/6
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