Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · 20d

Thrilled to launch the new ASM Student Chapter at Nicholls State University! With microbial threats on the rise, we need more engaged, well-trained young scientists—and these microbiology students are outstanding.
Thanks to ASM South Central Branch for their generous support in making this possible!

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Aug 27

Excited to share that I’ve accepted the role of Associate Director [upcoming Director (2026)] at UMMC’s Center for Immunology and Microbial Research (CIMR). Mission: drive research and innovation in Mississippi and beyond to combat infectious diseases, immune disorders, and antimicrobial resistance

1 3

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Aug 16

What a wonderful surprise visit today from former Mississippi INBRE student—and now medical student—Perriann Smith! It was such a pleasure to see her during her very first week of medical school and to reflect on how far she’s come since her time in the lab.

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Aug 14

The ASM South Central Branch Meeting is coming this November to Mississippi State University, hosted by Dr. Justin Thornton & colleagues.
A great chance to connect with investigators from MS, AR, & LA; share your research; and enjoy time with colleagues.

Registration opens soon
🔗 lnkd.in/gC5gXWcX

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Aug 5

Outstanding seminar today by Dr. Monica Gestal from M&I @LSU_Shreveport on the pivotal role of eosinophils in Bordetella infections. Grateful to Dr. Bengtén, Director of @UMMCnews CIMR, and Dr. Garrett chair of the CMB Department for helping make this engaging event possible

1 1

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Aug 2

The end of the beginning. As the SURE program wraps up, we’re filled with gratitude for the passion, dedication, and brilliance of these young scholars—the future of science and medicine in Mississippi. @UMMCnews #FutureScientists #SUREProgram #UMMC

1

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jul 30

Proud of young Pat Vidal, who’s practicing his talk before his practice talk! Dedication, preparation, and a full passport to Nerd Country.

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jul 29

Excited to welcome Dr. Monica Cartelle Gestal next week for a seminar on Bordetella infection and the key role of eosinophils! Thanks to Dr. Eva Bengten, Director of the Center for Immunology and Microbial Research and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, UMMC, for organizing this great event!

1 2 3

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jul 28

Heme-mediated selection of encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae in the lungs by oxidative stress www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

www.tandfonline.com

1 1

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jul 25

Endless thanks to our incredible research team—from mentorship to groundbreaking discoveries. Today, MSRP fellow Daniel Kerr (UMMC) under the outstanding guidance of Dr. Kenichi Takeshita, presented exciting summer data identifying a novel, targetable pathway to reduce pneumococcal colonization.

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jul 25

A wonderful week of science at the @GordonConf on Microbial Adhesion and Signal Transduction; presenting our research, learning, and connecting with colleagues and trainees!

1 1

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jul 19

As summer research programs wind down at UMMC, we’re celebrating the incredible work of our trainees from across the Central South. From uncovering how pneumococci colonize the airway to breakthroughs in cancer biology—thank you. The future of science is bright. 🌟🧬

1

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jul 9

Congratulations to Dr. Babek Alibayov on one of his first first-author papers from his postdoc in the Vidal Lab. Many thanks to all co-authors for their invaluable support in advancing these mechanistic insights into pneumococcal encapsulation

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jul 3

What a great way to head into the 4th of July holiday! Daniel Kerr, MSRP Fellow, just presented compelling data highlighting the impactful translational research underway
at University of Mississippi Medical Center!

(MSRP: Medical Student Research Program)

Reposted by Jorge E Vidal

Steve Diggle @digglelab.bsky.social · Jul 2

Happy to be starting my role as Editor for mBio at the beginning of a new era for the journal. Consider sending your impactful papers to us and support the ASM and Societies in general. journals.asm.org/journal/mbio...

mBio Board of Editors

Members of the mBio Editorial Board

journals.asm.org

2 7

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jul 2

thanks Tim! cheers

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jul 1

2

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jun 20

This afternoon’s conversation was a delightful exploration of microbial pathogenesis (Vidal), experimental biophysics (Warncke/Emory) and the intricacies of mitochondrial (Hosler/UMMC) cell biology!

1 1

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jun 20

Honored to welcome the MOSAIC Fellows to the Vidal Lab this morning. The future of science and medicine is in their hands—brilliant, driven, and full of promise. They deserve our guidance, support, and unwavering mentorship.

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jun 13

We revised and resubmitted studies (link below) that provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the encapsulation of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the lung.

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jun 10

Wonderful kickoff to the MSRP and SURE programs at UMMC and GradSchoolUMMC. We appreciate their support of the next generation of scientists and physicians.

A warm welcome to Daniel Kerr (UMMC, MSRP fellow) and Ella Bennett (Harvard, SURE fellow) as they join the Vidal Lab!

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jun 7

Three of our summer trainees are already presenting their progress! In just a few weeks, they’ve learned to make mutations, perform PCR screening, and carry out phenotypic characterization. Two planning to apply to grad school, and one to a medical specialty. Excited to see where their paths lead!

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · Jun 6

Thrilled to join this year’s Griffith’s Legacy Conference and represent the vibrant research community of the South Central USA!

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · May 24

We had a wonderful time at Europneumo 2025, incredible science and it was a true pleasure to reconnect with colleagues, long-time friends, and my former mentor, Keith Klugman, from the @gatesfoundation.bsky.social as well as to make new friends and connections!

#Europneumo
#Europneumo2025

2

Jorge E Vidal @vidallab.bsky.social · May 23

We just showed that Spn throws a metabolic wrench into host cells—blocking pyruvate entry into mitochondria, stalling the TCA cycle, and selfishly ramping up glycolysis (a Warburg-like shift) to stay fit while invading lung cells. Metabolic hijacking at its finest!

lnkd.in/gVNdnn3M