Dogs do more than offer companionship—they shape children’s immune systems, emotional health, and daily activity. But pet ownership also carries hidden costs: zoonotic diseases, pollution, and a major environmental footprint linked to pet food production. grupos.eez.csic.es/imili/wp-con...

#MicroSky: A greener future for bioplastics: near-solvent-free recovery of microbial PHAs directly from wet biomass using insect-derived enzymes. High polymer recovery & material quality, & up to 7× lower carbon footprint without drying or toxic solvents. Read Bogojevic et al doi.org/10.1111/1751...

Reform UK instructed Havering Council to cancel their Pride flag ceremony to mark the start of Pride Month. People did it anyway. Good 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Excessive paperwork and inefficient systems are sabotaging scientific progress. Really proud to be part of this global manifesto spearheaded by @kentimmis.bsky.social. We need action at all levels to tackle the root causes. Our analysis & proposals @microbiotech.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1111/1751...

Stingless bees may lack a sting, but they’re powerful pollinators with sweet medicinal honey and vital microbial partners. Threatened by climate change and habitat loss, these tropical bees are crucial for biodiversity, ecosystems, and future food security.

Nuestra compañera Gosia Ciska ha participado en la Feria STEMCastiza 2026 organizada por el CEIP Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba. Realizó para el alumnado el experimento "¿Cómo funcionan las #enzimas?", utilizando almidón de patata, una tinción con solución de iodina y amilasa de saliva.

Did you know microbes help birds build nests, protect their feathers, enhance colors, and even attract mates? This invisible alliance keeps ecosystems healthy and plays a vital role in bird survival and wellbeing.

#MicroSky: Adapting Bacteria for Better Bioremediation. Evolving Dehalobacter on mixed substrates boosts 1,1-DCA dechlorination. Key mutations in TmrA enhance binding to xenobiotic pollutants, a new path to engineer more efficient cleanup microbes. Read Ren et al doi.org/10.1111/1751...

Congratulations to Prof. Eva Stukenbrock on her appointment to the Leopoldina. Her research on fungal pathogens helps us better understand evolution and protect crops. www.evolbio.mpg.de/3882989/eva-... #EvolutionaryBiology #Leopoldina

#MicroSky: Engineering Better Fucosylation with Enzyme Design. MBT ( doi.org/10.1111/1751...) presents a study led by Patricie Vodičková, that boosts transfucosylation >20× via a single mutation (S237V), enabling precise synthesis of fucosyllactose derivatives for biosensors and diagnostics.

When whales die, they create entire deep-sea ecosystems. Microbes break down whale falls, recycling nutrients and sustaining life in the ocean abyss. But pollution and hunting threaten these giants, putting marine balance and biodiversity at risk. grupos.eez.csic.es/imili/wp-con...

🦠Featured on our homepage this week: MEDUSSA is a high-throughput method to measure bacterial cell size using deep-learning analysis of fluorescent membranes, revealing major size variation and genetic drivers of cell width. @mpi-evolbio.bsky.social 👇 www.nature.com/articles/s42...

#MicroSky: Better Biosensors: Engineering Geobacter biofilms via cGAMP signaling enhances electron transfer, creating thinner, more conductive films. Result: a 20× improvement in Cd(II) detection sensitivity, hence advancing bioenergy and biosensing tech. By Zhang , Han et al doi.org/10.1111/1751...

Las mitocondrias son orgánulos con doble membrana y ADN propio que producen ATP, la energía celular. Surgieron por endosimbiosis y fueron clave en la evolución de los eucariotas, permitiendo la respiración aeróbica y gran diversidad de vida.

En una cosa tienen razón los iluminados y seguidores de Llorente: la relación entre cáncer y vacunas. Concretamente, la (casi) erradicación del cáncer de cuello de útero gracias a la vacuna del VPH, así como la prevención de otros como el cáncer de garganta.

Las plantas sostienen la vida: nos alimentan, proveen medicinas, absorben CO₂, protegen el suelo y se asocian con microbios para favorecer su crecimiento. Los microbiomas vegetales son clave para la agricultura ecológica y un planeta más saludable.

Los microbios del suelo son superhéroes que favorecen el crecimiento vegetal, combaten plagas, conservan agua y ayudan a las plantas a prosperar en suelos marginales. Potencial para transformar la agricultura en tierras marginales y la sostenibilidad ambiental.

Plantas + microbios = MEJOR supervivencia vegetal. Desde las raíces hasta las hojas, los socios invisibles impulsan el crecimiento, combaten el estrés y favorecen ecosistemas sostenibles.

#MicroSky: How does a methylotrophic yeast fine-tune methanol metabolism? Cai et al reveal high-res structures of two alcohol oxidase isozymes in Ogataea methanolica, showing distinct cofactor preferences & assembly into functional octamers: biotech protein production. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Wastewater: Prototheca, rare pathogenic microalgae, are widespread in wastewater (78% samples). Treatment cuts levels by up to 99.9%, yet detectable cells remain, highlighting WWTPs as potential release routes & the need for routine monitoring + safety guidelines. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

Widespread circulation of West Nile and Usutu viruses in sedentary and migratory avifauna: A Two-Year Study (2024-2025) of active surveillance in South of France https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.21.726855v1

Chemotaxis to plant defense compounds in phytopathogens. Pathogen attack triggers the release of defense compounds by plants. Bacteria move chemotactically to these compounds.Nice collaboration with Ashleigh Holmes, @gavirius.bsky.social, @miguelmatilla.bsky.social journals.plos.org/plospathogen...

TF NUESTRAS PLANTAS Buenas bacterias dan lugar a mejores cosechas. Las bacterias promotoras del crecimiento vegetal aumentan los rendimientos, combaten el estrés y reducen el uso de compuestos químico. Aprende sobre las claves para una agricultura sostenible. grupos.eez.csic.es/imili/wp-con...

Las plantas de interior nos han alegrado durante más de 5.000 años, desde el antiguo Egipto hasta la decoración moderna. Además de su belleza, mejoran la calidad del aire y el bienestar, adaptándose a la vida interior con poca luz y agua. Naturaleza, en casa.

TF NUESTRAS PLANTAS Gusanos invisibles, daños reales. Los nematodos parásitos de plantas atacan las raíces, reducen los rendimientos y amenazan la seguridad alimentaria—enemigos ocultos bajo nuestros pies.

#MicroSky: Magnetospirillum MSR-1 produces magnetosomes, ie uniform, magnetic nanocrystals with huge biotech potential. Oxygen levels control their size: more O₂ → smaller crystals. Fine-tuning O₂ could boost scalable production of tailored magnetic nanoparticles. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

TF OUR PLANTS: Houseplants have brightened homes for 5,000+ years—from ancient Egypt to modern decor. Beyond beauty, they boost air quality and well-being, adapting to indoor life with limited light and water. Nature, right at home.

TF NUESTRAS PLANTAS: Las plantas no crecen solas. Los hongos micorrícicos mejoran la absorción de nutrientes, protegen las raíces y potencian cultivos sostenibles, una alianza subterránea que alimenta al mundo.

TF NUESTRAS PLANTAS Néctar dulce, microbios activos: socios invisibles moldean la polinización, la salud de las plantas y los ecosistemas—pequeños actores con un gran impacto ecológico.

Geometric ordering in bacterial communities -in PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... (Just look at the beautiful time lapse movies in the publication)

OUR PLANTS: Soil microbes are tiny superheroes boosting plant growth, fighting pests, conserving water, and helping crops thrive even in poor or harsh soils. Unlocking their power could transform farming in marginal lands and support sustainable agriculture.

#MicroSky: PET waste is tough to recycle, but Barriuso’s group upcycled it into biodegradable PHAs using a hybrid approach: fast glycolysis + engineered microbial consortium. By splitting tasks between microbes, they boost efficiency and valorize plastic waste. Read doi.org/10.1111/1751...

💫 I am recruiting a postdoctoral candidate for a 3-year position starting in summer 2026 to work on the role of extracellular RNA (eRNA) in interspecies interactions.

🌊🧬 Scientists are using environmental #DNA from #rivers to track #fish, #frogs, and other #wildlife without directly capturing #animals. #Microbiology #eDNA #Ecology #Biodiversity #Science via @sciencex.bsky.social

Water quality in mountain areas depends on climate, atmospheric inputs and soil processes driven by microorganisms. 💧 This #FEMSmicroBlog explores how microbes in alpine soils impact its capacity to retain nutrients. #MicrobiologyIsEverywhere  🦠 buff.ly/l8vV7Dx

Microbial genetic screen identifies bacterial genes that compromise Caenorhabditis elegans reproductive fitness E.coli - ΔcrcB, ΔpurE, and ΔyojI - cytidine diphosphate-diacylglycerol (CDP-DG) -in #mSystems journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

OUR PLANTS: Plants sustain life: feed us, power medicine and climate balance. They absorb CO₂, protect soil, and partner with microbes that boost plant growth and sustainability. Harnessing plant microbiomes is key to greener agriculture for a healthier planet.

#MicroSky:Persister bacteria evade antibiotics by “hibernating” their ribosomes. Kim & Song show a shift from active (70S) to inactive (100S) states defines persistence & reversing this shift drives recovery.Targeting ribosome hibernation could help prevent infection relapse. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Bacterial vesicles could transform One Health—linking human, animal & environmental health with next-gen vaccines, diagnostics, and drug delivery. Tiny messengers, big impact. Read Arce-Rodriguez et al doi.org/10.1111/1751...

TF OUR PLANTS: An apple isn’t just fruit. Millions of microbes ride along boosting gut health, immunity, and making “an apple a day” even more powerful. grupos.eez.csic.es/imili/wp-con...

TF OUR PLANTS: Plants + microbes lead to BETTER plant survival. From roots to leaves, invisible partners boost growth, fight stress, and drive sustainable ecosystems. grupos.eez.csic.es/imili/wp-con...

It is with great sadness that we announce J. Craig Venter has died. 🧪🧬 www.jcvi.org/media-center...

Still not in the final format but couldn't wait to share it with you, after a long jpurney to get here. Our latest work (with @davidalbesa.bsky.social lab) on Tke5 T6SS toxin from my favourite bug P. putida KT2440. 🧵 1/5 www.nature.com/articles/s42...

#MicroSky: ONE HEALTH: Turning pests into cures. Chen et al show that A cockroach-associated Streptomyces exhibits strong anti-Candida potential, revealing new antifungal compounds via multi-omics—opening ways to fight drug-resistant infections. Find more at doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Boosting antibiotic production. BCAA metabolism regulates erythromycin biosynthesis via SACE_Lrp → ilvE. Tuning this axis + valine supplementation drives up to 71% higher yields. Regulatory + metabolic coupling ->better actinobacterial cell factories. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Brüssow reviews COVID-19 antivirals. Remdesivir, molnupiravir & nirmatrelvir show variable benefits—greatest with early use in high-risk patients. Outcomes depend on timing, variants, and patient context. Right drug, right time = better impact. Highly recommended: doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Decades of plant-focused breeding boosted yields, but reshaped (& often reduced) beneficial microbiomes. What if we bred plants and their microbiomes together? By combining rewilding & microbiome-aware genetics. An approach for climate-resilient crops. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

NUESTRAS PLANTAS: Microorganismos mejor que químicos: Agentes de biocontrol, como Bacillus thuringiensis, protegen los cultivos, reducen tóxicos ambientales y favorecen una agricultura sostenible. Mucho mejor para las personas, los polinizadores y el planeta. grupos.eez.csic.es/imili/wp-con...

TF OUR PLANTS: Plants don’t grow alone Mycorrhizal fungi boost nutrient uptake, protect roots, and power sustainable crops—an underground partnership feeding the world. grupos.eez.csic.es/imili/wp-con...

OUR PLANTS: Sweet nectar, busy microbes: Invisible partners shape pollination, plant health, and TF ecosystems—tiny players with big ecological impact. grupos.eez.csic.es/imili/wp-con...