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VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology @vibmicrobes.bsky.social · 21d

🌍 Celebrating #InternationalMicroorganismDay with a spotlight on BIOPET 🐾🌱 — part of @viblifesciences.bsky.social Grand Challenges program.
🔬 Great to see the labs of @verstrepenlab.bsky.social and Sibylle Vonesch explore Yarrowia yeast to help create more sustainable pet food!
🔗 lnkd.in/g_qbUXbR

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VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology @vibmicrobes.bsky.social · 22d

🥳 Congrats to Hans Gerstmans (@masscheleinlab, @viblifesciences, @kuleuvenuniversity) on receiving the EQT Foundation 2025 Women’s Health Grant to develop a bacterial biosensor targeting BRCA1/2 breast cancer!
🔗 eqtgroup.com/news/eqt-foundation-announces-2025-womens-health-grant-recipients

EQT Foundation announces 2025 Women’s Health Grant recipients

EQT Foundation funds 11 breakthrough projects advancing women’s health in diagnostics, therapies, fertility, maternal care, and cancer.

eqtgroup.com

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Jan Michiels lab @michielslab.bsky.social · Sep 2

Proud to share our comprehensive literature review on application potential, chemical synthesis and microbial production of α-ketoglutaric acid @chemsocrev.rsc.org

pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

α-Ketoglutaric acid as a promising platform chemical for sustainable bio-based industries

The chemical industry is gradually shifting from fossil-derived resources to more sustainable bio-based processes. Natural bio-molecules such as succinic, lactic, and itaconic acid are promising platf...

pubs.rsc.org

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Raes Lab @raeslab.org · Sep 1

Exams = stress. 📚 Our new study shows that a probiotic strain (L. rhamnosus CNCM I-3690) modulated the gut microbiome during academic stress, with ties to lower anxiety.

🔗 Vázquez-Castellanos et al. doi.org/10.1038/s415...

Probiotic-mediated modulation of gut microbiome in students exposed to academic stress: a randomized controlled trial - npj Biofilms and Microbiomes

npj Biofilms and Microbiomes - Probiotic-mediated modulation of gut microbiome in students exposed to academic stress: a randomized controlled trial

doi.org

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Verstrepen Lab @verstrepenlab.bsky.social · Aug 26

Interested in improving microbes for sustainable food and biofuel production? Or keen on studying evolution and gene regulation using yeast?

🚨 We are seeking two enthusiastic lab technicians to join our dynamic, international team!
More info & to apply, here 👇
www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo...

Laboratoriumtechnoloog – Microbiologie/Biotechnologie

Laboratoriumtechnoloog Microbiologie

www.kuleuven.be

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

VIB Training & Conferences @vibtrainconf.bsky.social · Aug 19

Calling all #Microbes25 enthusiasts, it’s time to show off your finest science. Do not leave it trapped in your lab. Submit your abstract by September 4 & have a chance to win the Nature Microbiology Poster Prize: vibbio.tech/3UQkrkN.

@natmicrobiol.nature.com

#MicrobialBiotech #MicrobialEcology

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

VIB Training & Conferences @vibtrainconf.bsky.social · Aug 13

Want to attend #Microbes25, but travel costs are holding you back? Our travel grants are here to help, but the deadline is today.

🧳Join your colleagues by applying before it’s too late and attend without the financial stress: vibbio.tech/46z4Tco

#MicrobialBiotech #microbes #MicrobialEcology

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VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology @vibmicrobes.bsky.social · Aug 8

🎉 Congratulations to Luca Tiraboschi on being awarded an @embo.org scientific exchange grant, joining the group of Sibylle Vonesch to collaborate on developing novel gene editing techniques! (@kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social, @viblifesciences.bsky.social)

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

VIB Training & Conferences @vibtrainconf.bsky.social · Aug 5

Want to join us at #Microbes25, but worried about travel costs? We’ve got you covered.
Next week is your last chance to apply for a travel grant. Don’t let this opportunity slip away.
🛬Final boarding call for a front row seat, apply here: vibbio.tech/40Rno8b #MicrobialBiotech #microbes #VIBConf

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Verstrepen Lab @verstrepenlab.bsky.social · Aug 7

🚀📄 Our lab is making the most of summer—another paper published! In this one, Sasha and the team managed to valorize a byproduct stream in bioethanol fermentation, laying the groundwork toward sustainable, high-value bioproduction.
Read all about it here👇: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for co-production of ethanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol from sugarcane molasses

3-Methyl-1-butanol (3MB) is a promising renewable solvent, drop-in fuel, and precursor for various industrial products, including flavors, fragrances, and surfactants. Due to the myriad of intertwined...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Raes Lab @raeslab.org · Jul 23

We're hiring a postdoc!🚨

Study human-associated microbial communities in health & disease.

🔬Requirements:
- PhD in bioinformatics, microbiology, or related field
- Expertise in omics data analysis
- Micro & molecular bio techniques are a plus!

Apply now!🌟
jobs.vib.be/j/119682/pos...

Postdoctoral position in human gut microbiome and bioinformatics - VIB

About the Lab Thelab of JeroenRaes(VIB, KU Leuven) is home to a vibrant, dynamic and international group of researchers in the field of gut microbial ecology and its

jobs.vib.be

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VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology @vibmicrobes.bsky.social · Aug 5

🚨 We're hiring at the Vonesch lab!
Excited about CRISPR technology development, HT genetic screens, and exploring fundamental questions in genetics? Apply here!

🔬 Postdoctoral Researcher
jobs.vib.be/j/117184/pos...
🧪 Research Technician
jobs.vib.be/j/117186/res...

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Verstrepen Lab @verstrepenlab.bsky.social · Aug 5

📃🥳 Excited to share our new paper! Jolien and colleagues highlight the power of combining biodiversity with precision metabolic engineering for sustainable microbial bioproduction.
Read all about it 👇: microbialcellfactories.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
#Kluyveromyces #LacticAcid #Bioplastics

Metabolic engineering and adaptive laboratory evolution of Kluyveromyces Marxianus for lactic acid production - Microbial Cell Factories

Background Poly lactic acid (PLA) is one of the most promising bioplastics due to its interesting mechanical and physical properties, low carbon footprint, and biodegradability. PLA is produced from l...

microbialcellfactories.biomedcentral.com

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Raes Lab @raeslab.org · Jun 4

📄 New collaborative publication:

"Dietary convergence induces individual responses in faecal microbiome composition"
Astrid Vermeulen et al., now in eGastroenterology.
🔗 egastroenterology.bmj.com/content/3/2/...
1/5🧵

Dietary convergence induces individual responses in faecal microbiome composition

Background Dietary variation has been identified as a key contributor to microbiome diversification. However, assessing its true impact in a cross-sectional setting is complicated by biological confou...

egastroenterology.bmj.com

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VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology @vibmicrobes.bsky.social · May 27

🎉 Proud to announce that Doris van Bergeijk, postdoctoral researcher at @raeslab.org ( @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social, @viblifesciences.bsky.social), has been awarded a Junior Postdoctoral Fellowship by @fwovlaanderen.bsky.social, to study how the gut microbiome can shape our mental health. 🧠🦠

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Jelle Matthijnssens @jellematthijnssens.bsky.social · May 15

💩🦠 Happy to present our paper on the engraftment of the enteric #virome in #UC patients receiving an #FMT-> temporal (~5 weeks) virome shift towards the healthy donor, primarily driven by #microviruses. @daanjansen.bsky.social @raeslab.org
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40371968/

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Verstrepen Lab @verstrepenlab.bsky.social · May 20

📃🥳 Proud to share the latest research from our lab! Yanmei and colleagues used high-throughput screening and parallel metabolic engineering to optimize S. cerevisiae chassis strains for the production of limonene 🍋. You can read all about it here 👇: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Beyond CEN.PK - parallel engineering of selected S. cerevisiae strains reveals that superior chassis strains require different engineering approaches for limonene production

Genetically engineered microbes are increasingly utilized to produce a broad range of high-value compounds. However, most studies start with only a ve…

www.sciencedirect.com

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Sammy Pontrelli @sammy-pontrelli.bsky.social · Apr 28

Excited to welcome our new Agilent Revident Q-TOF! We’re developing new approaches combining mass spectrometry and enzyme assays to study microbial interactions and carbon sequestration. We're hiring postdocs — reach out if interested!

pontrellilab.sites.vib.be/en

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Jan Michiels lab @michielslab.bsky.social · May 6

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student to join our team! Info here www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo...

PhD in molecular microbiology

Jan Michiels is looking for a dynamic and highly motivated PhD student to develop a project aimed at unraveling mutational robustness and evolvability in bacteria.

www.kuleuven.be

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Jan Michiels lab @michielslab.bsky.social · May 9

Proud to share our latest work on constraint-based modeling in combination with Optknock to identify gene that improve C12 fatty acid production in E. coli

rdcu.be/eljsg

In silico identification of gene targets to enhance C12 fatty acid production in Escherichia coli

rdcu.be

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VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology @vibmicrobes.bsky.social · May 9

Want to learn more about Joleen's research? Listen to @viblifesciences.bsky.social's new podcast, Called to Science, where she talks about hunting microbes, being proactive, and the thrill of discovery. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Youtube! 🎧

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VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology @vibmicrobes.bsky.social · May 9

🥳 Huge congratulations to Prof. Joleen Masschelein (@masscheleinlab.bsky.social, @viblifesciences.bsky.social, @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social) for being awarded the 2025 EFMC Academia Prize!

EFMC @euromedchem.bsky.social · May 9

The EFMC proudly announces Prof. Joleen Masschelein (KU Leuven, BE) as the winner of the 2025 EFMC Academia Prize.

Dr Johannes Broichhagen (FMP, DE) and Dr Marta Artola (Leiden University, NL) are recognized as runners-up.

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

VIB Training & Conferences @vibtrainconf.bsky.social · Apr 24

🦠 Microbes are everywhere and changing the world. The 3rd edition of #Microbes25 is here for it. From the lab to real-world impact, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the latest in #microbiology. Join us in Leuven, Nov 6-7, 2025, vibbio.tech/4lGy968
#MicrobialBiotech #microbes #MicrobialEcology

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Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology

Raes Lab @raeslab.org · Apr 8

🚨PhD position in AI in Microbiology!

We’re looking for a PhD researcher passionate about developing automated systems for microbiological research.

🌍 More info & apply:
jobs.vib.be/j/109363/phd...
@vibmicrobes.bsky.social @vibai.bsky.social

PhD Position in AI in Microbiology - VIB

About the labThe lab of Jeroen Raes (VIB, KU Leuven) is home to a vibrant, dynamic and international group of researchers in the field of gut microbial ecology and its clinical applications. In additi...

jobs.vib.be

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VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology @vibmicrobes.bsky.social · Mar 28

🎉 Huge congratulations to @sammy-pontrelli.bsky.social for obtaining a prestigious FWO Odysseus grant! 🎉

Sammy's research will investigate how microbes make "mistakes" to create accidental, long-lived molecules from carbon dioxide! Find out more here:
pontrellilab.sites.vib.be/en

Pontrelli lab

Welcome to the lab of microbial metabolic and environmental interactions. We study how microbes capture carbon dioxide and sequester it in the ocean.

pontrellilab.sites.vib.be

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