Prahathees Eswara
@eswaralab.bsky.social
Associate Professor at U. South Florida 🌴🌊 | Postdoc - NIH | PhD - U. Houston | Bacterial Cell Biologist 🔬 | he/him
www.eswaralab.com
www.eswaralab.com
Pinned
Thrilled to share this insightful work of Asher King @subtisilly.bsky.social and Pilar Horigian @pilarhorigian.bsky.social!
#ProudPI #MicroSky #AMR #SubtiWiki
In this work, we reveal the *magic* behind the protective effects of magnesium in Bacillus subtilis. Read Asher's 🧵 below for more details.
#ProudPI #MicroSky #AMR #SubtiWiki
In this work, we reveal the *magic* behind the protective effects of magnesium in Bacillus subtilis. Read Asher's 🧵 below for more details.
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
the "Mg²⁺ problem" has been known for a long time. For example, in the standard "rich medium" LB (see👇).
now we get to know more about the reasons! #MicroSky
now we get to know more about the reasons! #MicroSky
September 18, 2026 at 8:34 PM
the "Mg²⁺ problem" has been known for a long time. For example, in the standard "rich medium" LB (see👇).
now we get to know more about the reasons! #MicroSky
now we get to know more about the reasons! #MicroSky
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 Bacterial Cell Biology & Development GRC, June 6–11!
GRS will be on June 5-6, 2027
We’ll likely be oversubscribed, so please apply early!
GRS will be on June 5-6, 2027
We’ll likely be oversubscribed, so please apply early!
September 19, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 Bacterial Cell Biology & Development GRC, June 6–11!
GRS will be on June 5-6, 2027
We’ll likely be oversubscribed, so please apply early!
GRS will be on June 5-6, 2027
We’ll likely be oversubscribed, so please apply early!
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Folks have known for years that adding magnesium to media rescues the lethality of deleting many 'essential' genes, but why? @eswaralab.bsky.social and @subtisilly.bsky.social say that free iron builds up in these mutants. Mg2+ mitigates this by redirecting metabolism towards limiting ROS production
I am so excited to share my first first-author manuscript regarding the mysterious effects of magnesium in Bacillus subtilis! 🧵⬇️
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
#MicroSky
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
#MicroSky
Magnesium induces iron starvation and metabolic rewiring to support the viability of cell envelope mutants and antibiotic-stressed cells
Magnesium supplementation permits deletion of otherwise essential genes involved in cell envelope biogenesis in the Gram-positive model bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Yet, the specific underlying mechan...
www.biorxiv.org
September 18, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Folks have known for years that adding magnesium to media rescues the lethality of deleting many 'essential' genes, but why? @eswaralab.bsky.social and @subtisilly.bsky.social say that free iron builds up in these mutants. Mg2+ mitigates this by redirecting metabolism towards limiting ROS production
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
UNC Greensboro Department of Biology is hiring for three positions this year including one in microbiology!
spartantalent.uncg.edu/postings/35918
spartantalent.uncg.edu/postings/35918
Assistant Professor Microbiology
The Department of Biology at UNC Greensboro (UNCG) seeks an individual with a strong record of accomplishment in microbiology broadly defined for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assista...
spartantalent.uncg.edu
September 11, 2026 at 2:14 PM
UNC Greensboro Department of Biology is hiring for three positions this year including one in microbiology!
spartantalent.uncg.edu/postings/35918
spartantalent.uncg.edu/postings/35918
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
#MicroSky act fast! Sept 4th is the registration deadline for Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference (MMPC) that will be held in Minneapolis from Sept 25-27 #mmpc2026
MMPC registration & hotel block closes this week! Your to-do list before *September 4*:
1) Register for the meeting! ✅
2) Reserve your hotel room! ✅
3) Get your official MMPC t-shirt! ✅
Check off all these tasks here ➡️ mmpc2026.umn.edu
See you in Minneapolis! #mmpc2026
1) Register for the meeting! ✅
2) Reserve your hotel room! ✅
3) Get your official MMPC t-shirt! ✅
Check off all these tasks here ➡️ mmpc2026.umn.edu
See you in Minneapolis! #mmpc2026
Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference | Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference 2026
mmpc2026.umn.edu
September 3, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Excited to share my latest work in the @ramamurthilab.bsky.social, now in @cp-cellreports.bsky.social!
We show that division geometry organizes surface adhesins in S. aureus and enables the formation of abscess communities that protect bacteria from immune cells.
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
We show that division geometry organizes surface adhesins in S. aureus and enables the formation of abscess communities that protect bacteria from immune cells.
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Orthogonal cell division mediated by PcdA organizes surface virulence factors to drive staphylococcal abscess community formation
Staphylococcus aureus divides along sequential orthogonal planes, but the function
of this geometry has remained unclear. Ramos-León et al. show that orthogonal division
promotes uniform deployment of...
www.cell.com
August 18, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Excited to share my latest work in the @ramamurthilab.bsky.social, now in @cp-cellreports.bsky.social!
We show that division geometry organizes surface adhesins in S. aureus and enables the formation of abscess communities that protect bacteria from immune cells.
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
We show that division geometry organizes surface adhesins in S. aureus and enables the formation of abscess communities that protect bacteria from immune cells.
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Thrilled to share this insightful work of Asher King @subtisilly.bsky.social and Pilar Horigian @pilarhorigian.bsky.social!
#ProudPI #MicroSky #AMR #SubtiWiki
In this work, we reveal the *magic* behind the protective effects of magnesium in Bacillus subtilis. Read Asher's 🧵 below for more details.
#ProudPI #MicroSky #AMR #SubtiWiki
In this work, we reveal the *magic* behind the protective effects of magnesium in Bacillus subtilis. Read Asher's 🧵 below for more details.
September 2, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Thrilled to share this insightful work of Asher King @subtisilly.bsky.social and Pilar Horigian @pilarhorigian.bsky.social!
#ProudPI #MicroSky #AMR #SubtiWiki
In this work, we reveal the *magic* behind the protective effects of magnesium in Bacillus subtilis. Read Asher's 🧵 below for more details.
#ProudPI #MicroSky #AMR #SubtiWiki
In this work, we reveal the *magic* behind the protective effects of magnesium in Bacillus subtilis. Read Asher's 🧵 below for more details.
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Ribosomal RNAs are modified, but why? Zac Park examined a methylated residue on 16S rRNA in #Bacillus subtilis. He says 1) methylation by MraW permits robust translation, & 2) select transcripts evolved stem loops that fine tune the amount of protein produced
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
16S ribosomal RNA modification drives transcript-specific translation efficiency
Bacterial ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are decorated with conserved nucleotide modifications, but the functionality of these modifications is often underexp…
www.sciencedirect.com
August 24, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Ribosomal RNAs are modified, but why? Zac Park examined a methylated residue on 16S rRNA in #Bacillus subtilis. He says 1) methylation by MraW permits robust translation, & 2) select transcripts evolved stem loops that fine tune the amount of protein produced
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
My wife has become quite a Monarch Rearer.
Metamorphosis is magical and mindblowing!! 🤯
Metamorphosis is magical and mindblowing!! 🤯
August 23, 2026 at 1:56 PM
My wife has become quite a Monarch Rearer.
Metamorphosis is magical and mindblowing!! 🤯
Metamorphosis is magical and mindblowing!! 🤯
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
@felixrl.bsky.social told us previously *how* #Staph aureus does orthogonal cell division. In his latest paper he tells us *why*: to arrange cell surface proteins required to form staphylococcal abscess colonies. (Videos S1-S2 are amazing!). 🤯
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Orthogonal cell division mediated by PcdA organizes surface virulence factors to drive staphylococcal abscess community formation
Staphylococcus aureus divides along sequential orthogonal planes, but the function
of this geometry has remained unclear. Ramos-León et al. show that orthogonal division
promotes uniform deployment of...
www.cell.com
August 20, 2026 at 7:39 PM
@felixrl.bsky.social told us previously *how* #Staph aureus does orthogonal cell division. In his latest paper he tells us *why*: to arrange cell surface proteins required to form staphylococcal abscess colonies. (Videos S1-S2 are amazing!). 🤯
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Huge faculty recruitment effort at the University of Chicago -- a division-wide, open-rank search looking to hire about 20 faculty across 5 research areas in biology. Come be our colleague!
Full announcement: uchicago.app.box.com/s/ckih9zv3rj...
Full announcement: uchicago.app.box.com/s/ckih9zv3rj...
August 9, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Huge faculty recruitment effort at the University of Chicago -- a division-wide, open-rank search looking to hire about 20 faculty across 5 research areas in biology. Come be our colleague!
Full announcement: uchicago.app.box.com/s/ckih9zv3rj...
Full announcement: uchicago.app.box.com/s/ckih9zv3rj...
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Come be our colleague. I have been in this Division for 27 years (4 as a postdoc and 23 as a PI). It is an amazing place to work, collaborate, and be inspired. If you are applying to be an Assistant or Associate Professor this Fall, don't miss this deadline.
Join @FredHutch.org's Basic Sciences Division as an Assistant or Associate Professor and help shape the future of fundamental biology. We welcome applicants whose work will complement, extend, or bring new directions to the division.
Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
August 6, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Come be our colleague. I have been in this Division for 27 years (4 as a postdoc and 23 as a PI). It is an amazing place to work, collaborate, and be inspired. If you are applying to be an Assistant or Associate Professor this Fall, don't miss this deadline.
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Biofilm formation in #Bacillus subtilis is thought to precede sporulation, but T. Updegrove says that a subpopulation of sporulating cells triggers other cells to become biofilm formers via an intracellular metabolite (glycerol) repurposed as a signaling molecule (!)
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
A metabolite morphogen coordinates multicellular development in Bacillus subtilis
Cell-cell signaling using a core metabolite repurposed as a developmental cue coordinates bacterial multicellular development.
www.science.org
August 6, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Biofilm formation in #Bacillus subtilis is thought to precede sporulation, but T. Updegrove says that a subpopulation of sporulating cells triggers other cells to become biofilm formers via an intracellular metabolite (glycerol) repurposed as a signaling molecule (!)
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Session proposals are open - hope to see you in Chicago!
Session proposals are now open for ASM Microbe 2027 ! asm.org/events/asm-m...
If there is a specific topic or speaker you would like to see in Chicago, this is your chance (until Aug 12) ! This is for Micro Symposia and Hub Sessions, but my DMs are open if you have ideas for bigger AEM sessions
If there is a specific topic or speaker you would like to see in Chicago, this is your chance (until Aug 12) ! This is for Micro Symposia and Hub Sessions, but my DMs are open if you have ideas for bigger AEM sessions
ASM Microbe | Overview
ASM Microbe showcases the best microbial sciences in the world and provides a one-of-a-kind forum to explore everything from basic microbiology to translation and application.
asm.org
July 31, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Session proposals are open - hope to see you in Chicago!
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Bacteriology-Focused Assistant Professor Position in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Michigan
Application deadline: August 15, 2026
Come be my colleague!
Application deadline: August 15, 2026
Come be my colleague!
July 29, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Bacteriology-Focused Assistant Professor Position in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Michigan
Application deadline: August 15, 2026
Come be my colleague!
Application deadline: August 15, 2026
Come be my colleague!
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Devastated to report that Brandon Jutras passed away a day or two ago.
Brandon earned his PhD with me. He went on to be an Associate Professor at Northwestern University School of Medicine and a super star in Lyme research.
A loving husband and father, a sincere friend, and a brilliant scientist
💔
Brandon earned his PhD with me. He went on to be an Associate Professor at Northwestern University School of Medicine and a super star in Lyme research.
A loving husband and father, a sincere friend, and a brilliant scientist
💔
July 29, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Devastated to report that Brandon Jutras passed away a day or two ago.
Brandon earned his PhD with me. He went on to be an Associate Professor at Northwestern University School of Medicine and a super star in Lyme research.
A loving husband and father, a sincere friend, and a brilliant scientist
💔
Brandon earned his PhD with me. He went on to be an Associate Professor at Northwestern University School of Medicine and a super star in Lyme research.
A loving husband and father, a sincere friend, and a brilliant scientist
💔
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Pls share: U of Washington has an opening for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. This position is expected to specialize in molecular virology or bacteriology.
Here is a link: microbiology.washington.edu/index.php/ne...
Here is a link: microbiology.washington.edu/index.php/ne...
Micro is Hiring! | UW Microbiology
microbiology.washington.edu
June 30, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Pls share: U of Washington has an opening for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. This position is expected to specialize in molecular virology or bacteriology.
Here is a link: microbiology.washington.edu/index.php/ne...
Here is a link: microbiology.washington.edu/index.php/ne...
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
New pre-print from the lab, about impact of cell wall antibiotics on PG elongation machineries. Any comments and (constructive) criticism are welcome!
July 25, 2026 at 7:47 AM
New pre-print from the lab, about impact of cell wall antibiotics on PG elongation machineries. Any comments and (constructive) criticism are welcome!
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Open postdoc position in my lab on HGT and interbacterial competition. We seek candidates with a PhD in microbiology (or related fields)+ strong 1st-author publications.
Curious, highly motivated, and dedicated team players ready to contribute fully are encouraged to apply. Details: tiny.cc/cz01101
Curious, highly motivated, and dedicated team players ready to contribute fully are encouraged to apply. Details: tiny.cc/cz01101
Open Positions
-
tiny.cc
March 29, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Open postdoc position in my lab on HGT and interbacterial competition. We seek candidates with a PhD in microbiology (or related fields)+ strong 1st-author publications.
Curious, highly motivated, and dedicated team players ready to contribute fully are encouraged to apply. Details: tiny.cc/cz01101
Curious, highly motivated, and dedicated team players ready to contribute fully are encouraged to apply. Details: tiny.cc/cz01101
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
📢 We're hiring!
The Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology at Montana State University is hiring an Assistant Professor of Microbiology. We welcome applicants working in microbial pathogenesis, immunology, genetics, microbial evolution, and related areas. Apply:
jobs.montana.edu/postings/52009
The Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology at Montana State University is hiring an Assistant Professor of Microbiology. We welcome applicants working in microbial pathogenesis, immunology, genetics, microbial evolution, and related areas. Apply:
jobs.montana.edu/postings/52009
June 29, 2026 at 4:52 PM
📢 We're hiring!
The Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology at Montana State University is hiring an Assistant Professor of Microbiology. We welcome applicants working in microbial pathogenesis, immunology, genetics, microbial evolution, and related areas. Apply:
jobs.montana.edu/postings/52009
The Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology at Montana State University is hiring an Assistant Professor of Microbiology. We welcome applicants working in microbial pathogenesis, immunology, genetics, microbial evolution, and related areas. Apply:
jobs.montana.edu/postings/52009
Who would've thought YjlC-Ndh will be a hot topic in 2026!?! 🔥
Here is our preprint (mostly genetics):
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41928947/
Shedding light on YfhS and YjlC: novel effectors of the NADH dehydrogenase activity of the electron transport chain in Bacillus subtilis
#MicroSky
#SubtiWiki
Here is our preprint (mostly genetics):
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41928947/
Shedding light on YfhS and YjlC: novel effectors of the NADH dehydrogenase activity of the electron transport chain in Bacillus subtilis
#MicroSky
#SubtiWiki
Shedding light on YfhS and YjlC: novel effectors of the NADH dehydrogenase activity of the electron transport chain in Bacillus subtilis - PubMed
Oxidative phosphorylation is the most efficient way of generating ATP in respiring cells. As high energy electrons are the major source of reactive oxygen species their production needs to be carefull...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
June 29, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Who would've thought YjlC-Ndh will be a hot topic in 2026!?! 🔥
Here is our preprint (mostly genetics):
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41928947/
Shedding light on YfhS and YjlC: novel effectors of the NADH dehydrogenase activity of the electron transport chain in Bacillus subtilis
#MicroSky
#SubtiWiki
Here is our preprint (mostly genetics):
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41928947/
Shedding light on YfhS and YjlC: novel effectors of the NADH dehydrogenase activity of the electron transport chain in Bacillus subtilis
#MicroSky
#SubtiWiki
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Another chapter of my thesis is out! We asked whether we could pair proteome-wide AlphaFold screening with Tn-seq to identify biologically relevant protein-protein interactions. We identify ClcR (formerly YerH) as a component of the Rod complex in Gram-positive bacteria. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
A broadly conserved gram-positive lipoprotein regulates cell elongation | PNAS
The cell wall peptidoglycan (PG) protects virtually all bacteria from osmotic lysis
and specifies cell shape. Synthesis of this exoskeleton is carr...
www.pnas.org
June 23, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Another chapter of my thesis is out! We asked whether we could pair proteome-wide AlphaFold screening with Tn-seq to identify biologically relevant protein-protein interactions. We identify ClcR (formerly YerH) as a component of the Rod complex in Gram-positive bacteria. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Our Dept of Microbiology & Immunology @Geisel School of Medicine @Dartmouth has an opening for an Assistant Professor. Looking for programs bridging multiple areas in Micro & Immuno. A great place to be!
Programs: www.M2P2.org
www.dartmouthbiofilm.org
Job ad: apply.interfolio.com/187637
Programs: www.M2P2.org
www.dartmouthbiofilm.org
Job ad: apply.interfolio.com/187637
June 23, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Our Dept of Microbiology & Immunology @Geisel School of Medicine @Dartmouth has an opening for an Assistant Professor. Looking for programs bridging multiple areas in Micro & Immuno. A great place to be!
Programs: www.M2P2.org
www.dartmouthbiofilm.org
Job ad: apply.interfolio.com/187637
Programs: www.M2P2.org
www.dartmouthbiofilm.org
Job ad: apply.interfolio.com/187637
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
EMBO Symposium alert:
Save the date: 9–12 March 2027
Join us in scenic Heidelberg for this unique meeting, covering everything about drug resistance and tolerance.
Mechanisms of drug resistance and tolerance in bacteria, fungi, and cancer www.embl.org/about/info/c...
Save the date: 9–12 March 2027
Join us in scenic Heidelberg for this unique meeting, covering everything about drug resistance and tolerance.
Mechanisms of drug resistance and tolerance in bacteria, fungi, and cancer www.embl.org/about/info/c...
Mechanisms of drug resistance and tolerance in bacteria, fungi, and cancer
www.embl.org
June 11, 2026 at 11:43 AM
EMBO Symposium alert:
Save the date: 9–12 March 2027
Join us in scenic Heidelberg for this unique meeting, covering everything about drug resistance and tolerance.
Mechanisms of drug resistance and tolerance in bacteria, fungi, and cancer www.embl.org/about/info/c...
Save the date: 9–12 March 2027
Join us in scenic Heidelberg for this unique meeting, covering everything about drug resistance and tolerance.
Mechanisms of drug resistance and tolerance in bacteria, fungi, and cancer www.embl.org/about/info/c...
Reposted by Prahathees Eswara
Reminder — UW #Microbiology has an open search for an Assistant Professor, focusing on fundamental problems in #bacteriology!
If you or someone you know would be suitable, here's the ad:
apply.interfolio.com/185622
If you or someone you know would be suitable, here's the ad:
apply.interfolio.com/185622
June 11, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Reminder — UW #Microbiology has an open search for an Assistant Professor, focusing on fundamental problems in #bacteriology!
If you or someone you know would be suitable, here's the ad:
apply.interfolio.com/185622
If you or someone you know would be suitable, here's the ad:
apply.interfolio.com/185622