Spring at APC Microbiome Ireland brought new research, funding news, community highlights and upcoming events. Read our 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 for a concise update from across the centre: buff.ly/BJMqend #Microbiome #GutHealth #MicrobiomeResearch #ScienceCommunication #UCC #Teagasc

The #Wellcome Prize for Mental Health Science with #NatureAwards is open for teams developing interventions for #anxiety, #depression or #psychosis. Winner: 𝐔𝐒$𝟏𝐦. Three finalists: US$250k each. Apply by 𝟏𝟖 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 buff.ly/sIPMLk1 #Microbiome #MentalHealthResearch #ResearchFunding #GutBrainAxis

Gut microbes may shape drug delivery. A new preview in @cp-cellhostmicrobe.bsky.social by Gerard Clarke & @jfcryan.bsky.social explains how microbial control of #serotonin may affect liver clearance of synthetic & viral vectors. 📰 Read the preview: buff.ly/eQQzo0N #Microbiome #DrugDelivery

Your gut #microbiome is shaped by everyday habits from what you eat to how you #sleep, move and manage #stress. Our latest #𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 post shares simple ways to support #guthealth. Created by @apcmicrobiomeirel.bsky.social for #WorldMicrobiomeDay. #Nutrition # Diet #ScienceCommunication

#Amyloid-β may not come from neurons alone. A new paper in 𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧 reviews evidence that non-neuronal brain cells, including oligodendrocytes, can produce amyloid-β. With @aosasmita.bsky.social & Constanze Depp. 📰 buff.ly/qUllpFz #Neuroscience #AlzheimersDisease @mpi-nat.bsky.social

Microbial tryptophan metabolites can affect gut and brain barrier models in dose- and cell-type-dependent ways. New paper in 𝐍𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 from @crosellcardona.bsky.social, @maburto.bsky.social, @kittelschneider.bsky.social, @jfcryan.bsky.social & collaborators. buff.ly/Y4CqRRJ #Microbiome

Today is International Nurses Day. We’re celebrating our research nurses and the vital role they play in clinical research, participant care and advancing healthcare. Thank you for your skill, care and commitment. #InternationalNursesDay #ResearchNurses #ClinicalResearch

#Prebiotics, #probiotics, #postbiotics — what do they all mean? Our latest #𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 post breaks down the “biotics” & how they relate to your microbiome. Created by @apcmicrobiomeirel.bsky.social for #WorldMicrobiomeDay #Microbiome #Biotics #GutHealth #ScienceCommunication #HealthResearch

Human milk compounds can help researchers rethink infant formula design. A new review in 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 reviews precision fermentation of proteins & HMOs, including recombinant human lactoferrin. 📰 buff.ly/7VMFNhP #Microbiome #InfantNutrition #FoodScience @uccfns.bsky.social

Fruit choice can shape non-dairy #kefir #fermentation. A new paper in 𝐉. 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜. 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬 studied strawberry, blueberry & blackberry kefirs. Bacterial counts rose to 7.0–9.0 log CFU/mL after 48 h fermentation, with berry-specific changes in #phenolics and flavour. Read: buff.ly/8Dec5Er #Microbiome

Coffee can reduce anxiety and psychological stress. It even lowers inflammation. That is courtesy of our gut microbiome, which also adores a morning jolt of joe. scottcanderson.substack.com/p/your-gut-m...

Your microbiome is not just in your gut. Microbes live on your skin, in your mouth, and across many parts of your body, each with their own role in #health. Part 2 of our #𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 series Created by @apcmicrobiomeirel.bsky.social for #WorldMicrobiomeDay #Microbiome #MicroSky

The gut’s nerve signals are part of the autism & gut health research picture. A commentary in 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 & 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 discusses altered intestinal neurotransmission in #autism spectrum disorder, with @valentineturpin.bsky.social @maburto.bsky.social. 📰https://buff.ly/Iw8WIqb #Microbiome

Did you know trillions of #microbes live in & on your body? Our new series #𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 explores what the #microbiome is, why it matters, & its links to #health. First up: 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒊𝒐𝒎𝒆? Created by @apcmicrobiomeirel.bsky.social #Microsky #WorldMicrobiomeDay #ScienceForEveryone

We’re excited to share that our Head of Bioinformatics, Prof. Marcus Claesson will be speaking at the ILSI Europe Symposium 2026. He’ll present “Decoding the Microbiome: Established Evidence to Emerging Applications” on Tue 16th. @apcmicrobiomeirel.bsky.social @uccmicrobiology.bsky.social

Strains of the same gut bacterium can differ in key surface structures. A new paper in 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 shows B. breve strains produce distinct polysaccharides, identified using 2D NMR. This strain-level variation may shape host and microbe interactions. buff.ly/jk1bBKN #Microbiome #GutHealth

Gut bacteria form #spores, but our lab models rarely match the real thing. A new review in @cp-trendsmicrobiol.bsky.social argues for developing model organisms from human gut spore‑formers. Current models miss key genetics & biology of Bacillota species common in people. 📰 buff.ly/ZWLKobR

Foggy Brain? Maybe It’s Your Gut. Scientists keep learning more about the connection between the brain and the gastrointestinal system With input from @apcmicrobiomeirel.bsky.social Ger Clarke www.nytimes.com/2026/05/04/w...

April, in 45 seconds. New research, talks, and moments from across the institute, all in one short recap. If you missed anything this month, start here. #AprilRecap #Research #Science #Microbiome #GutBrainAxis #FoodMicrobiology #FoodScience #Excercise #Phages

Phages can help us spot harmful bacteria faster. In a new @researchireland.ie blog, Dr Luiza Wasiewska explains how bacteriophage-derived molecules power rapid biosensors for bacterial detection, including C. diff. 💻️ Read: buff.ly/KacmEw3 #Microbiology #Biosensors #AMR #Microbiome

Congratulations to Dr Aimone Ferri & Dr Sarah Stiegler on the successful defense of their respective viva's. Well done to their supervisors @jfcryan.bsky.social, Ger Clarke & Sinéad Corr. Thank you to all of the examiners involved Louise Dye, @drlouisecollins.bsky.social, Beth Brint & Carol Aherne.

Huge congratulations to our dietician researcher Aimone Ferri who has successfully defended his PhD. Thanks to the fantastic examiners Louise Dye, Sheffield & @drlouisecollins.bsky.social for great conversations @apcmicrobiomeirel.bsky.social @anatneuroucc.bsky.social @uccresearch.bsky.social

We were delighted to celebrate 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐲 with our staff and students based in Teagasc Moorepark, and what a success it was! Colleagues came together to take a break, connect, and share appreciation through small gestures that made a big impact. #WorkplaceWellbeing #EDI #Gratitude

Fibre strategies are not interchangeable. New paper in 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 shows how #fibre structure shapes gut #microbiome responses in human studies. 📰 buff.ly/20WGBdh #DietaryFibre #Nutrition @annualreviews.bsky.social @jenswalter15.bsky.social @ualberta.bsky.social

The findngs of a study in Nature Communications show reveal previously unrecognised effects of coffee on the microbiota–gut–brain axis, suggesting that #microbiome profiles could potentially predict coffee consumption patterns. go.nature.com/4mMKabb#microbiome🧪

A huge thank you to everyone who joined our 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐲 at APC. So much positivity and appreciation shared, from gratitude notes to small treats that brightened someone’s day ✨ Shoutout to our Peerlink supporters, who are always here to support. #WorkplaceWellbeing #Gratitude

Join us at Pint of Science Cork. APC researchers Francesco Vacca, John Kenny, Cristine Ohki, @mulayketki.bsky.social, Parul Sharma, @fuhlig.bsky.social, Marie Josse, Carola Romani and Jennifer Morael share their research on microbes and health. Short talks. Plain language. #pint26 #Cork2026 #SciComm

Meet Valentine, Chapter Manager in Cork! 🧠 Postdoctoral researcher at University College Cork, working in Anatomy & Neuroscience 🌿 Loves yoga, reading, long coastal walks with friends,classic 80s/90s movies and running. #pint26

Kickstart your Monday with Podcast Episode 6 🔬 Tune in to hear Dr. Jatin Nagpal explain how microbes shape behaviour across species. 🎧Listen here: open.spotify.com/show/1aNWG6x... #pint26

Can upcycled plant protein work in acidic drinks? A new 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 paper tests barley and rice protein from brewers spent grain across juices, teas and fizzy drinks, showing improved stability at higher levels. 📰 buff.ly/nkAIQkv #FoodScience #PlantProtein #BeverageResearch

How do you update gut–brain science without oversimplifying it? 3 Rome V reviews in 𝐆𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 synthesise advances in neurogastroenterology & gut–brain biology underpinning #RomeV gut–brain disorders. Read: 1️⃣ buff.ly/iVn52sx 2️⃣ buff.ly/5FjyryD 3️⃣ buff.ly/mByyPc1 @jfcryan.bsky.social #DGBI

This week, here’s what you might have missed. New papers, fresh data, and clear explanations of what the research shows and why it matters. If you want the details, they’re all linked on our channels. #microbiome #gutbrainaxis #phage #dairy #coffee #kefir #fmt #cancerresearch

If you missed it earlier this week check out the video on new research led by APC's @jfcryan.bsky.social & @moloneyger.bsky.social where they reveal for the first time how #coffee influences communication between the gut and the brain. buff.ly/x884r4f #GutBrainAxis #Microbiome #CoffeeScience

New blog by APC Project Leader Des Field on engineering #nisin to resist bacterial defences. A clear look at how small, precise peptide changes can improve antimicrobial performance without overclaiming. 💻️ buff.ly/AdsmGtD #Microbiology #Antimicrobials #PeptideEngineering #AntibioticResistance #AMR

Raw #milk bacteria can reduce chlorate already present in the #dairy chain. A new paper in Access Microbiology uses shotgun #metagenomics to track how raw milk microbial communities & genes respond to chlorate at 4 °C and 25 °C, with clear reductions over time. 📰 buff.ly/lCHA8yy #Microbiome

Today we’re celebrating the people behind the #science 🧪✨ From early starts to careful steps, every breakthrough begins in the lab. Happy World Laboratory Day to all who explore, test, discover, and keep science moving forward. #WorldLaboratoryDay #LabLife #Research #STEM #WomenInSTEM #Microbiome

Upper GI cancers may have a distinct gut microbiota pattern. A new paper in 𝐈𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 compared 37 treatment-naïve patients and 47 controls using 16S rRNA sequencing, and found shifts in key gut bacteria. Read: buff.ly/tDhaSBO #Microbiome #CancerResearch uccfns.bsky.social

In faecal microbiota transplantation, it may not just be bacteria that matter. A new review in @cp-cellhostmicrobe.bsky.social argues that donor #phages may drive gene exchange between gut bacteria after #FMT, widening how we think about engraftment and function. Read the paper: buff.ly/icbIzqU

Water kefir can help researchers study fermented foods more clearly. A new paper in 𝐧𝐩𝐣 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 shows how this relatively simple bacteria and yeast community can support multi-omics and metabolic modelling in fermentation research. 📰https://buff.ly/sgtokET #Microbiome #Fermentation

Wishing a very fond farewell to our dear colleague and contracts manager Amanda Lohan. Thank you for everything you have brought to the team. We will miss working with you and wish you every success and happiness in your new role.

Got a #microbiome event coming up? If you are organising a seminar, workshop, conference session or public talk on the microbiome, you can submit it to World Microbiome Day for promotion. worldmicrobiomeday.com We help amplify microbiome research and engagement around the world. #worldmicrobiomeday

Coffee may influence mood & stress through the gut microbiome, not just caffeine. A new paper in 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 studied 31 coffee & non coffee drinkers. Both caffeinated & decaf coffee were linked to lower stress & mood scores, alongside shifts in gut microbes & metabolites. 📰 buff.ly/VwaUKiX

How do Lactococcus bacteria defend themselves against phages? A new review in 𝐅𝐄𝐌𝐒 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 revisits 34 Abi-like antiphage systems, including 11 described recently, and maps their diversity, structure and likely mechanisms. Read the paper: buff.ly/rawFDwf #Microbiology #Phages

The gut #microbiome may relate to mental health in later life. A new paper in @plosone.org studied 153 older Chilean adults with cognitive complaints and linked neuroactive microbial pathways with cognitive and psychological measures. @bvalderrama.bsky.social @jfcryan.bsky.social #GutBrainAxis

Well done Cashel Slevin and all of the other Research Ireland Enterprise Partnership Scheme postgraduate awardees. 📰 buff.ly/n0uCcGa Enterprise Partner - @seqbiome.bsky.social

What we eat can change how a gut pathogen behaves. A new paper in 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 shows dietary chitin reduced #Listeria monocytogenes virulence and changed early host and #microbiome responses, including higher IL-6 and shifts in key gut genera. Read the paper: buff.ly/j6B7Jpg

Great to welcome TY students to APC Microbiome Ireland (UCC) for our Budding Biologist lab as part of the TY Week @uccfns.bsky.social! From probiotic bacteria to microscopy & a size-scale challenge, a hands-on intro to microbiology. #STEM #Microbiology #Outreach #UCC

Impressive keynote from @jfcryan.bsky.social #MicrobiomePTsummit in Lisbon From brain development to ageing and stress response… our microbiota is involved at every step Once again, he delivered a powerful vision of the gut–brain axis. @anasalmeida.bsky.social

We’re hiring! Postdoc position at APC/School of Micro, working on gut microbiome–pathogen interactions in an ERC-funded project with @hilarybrowne.bsky.social 🧫 Anaerobic microbiology + bioinformatics 📅 Deadline: 17 April 2026 📰 Apply here: buff.ly/IxGKwH6 #Microbiome #Postdoc #AcademicJobs

We are delighted to welcome our new recruits to APC Microbiome Ireland! Please join us in welcoming Alice Colella, Amit Kumar, Laura Gallardo, Maria Dios, Liana Matusevic and Kaaviyaa Muthughavi. We look forward to seeing them flourish and wish them every success Welcome to APC!