A distinct class of conjugative megaplasmids is associated with prophages in distantly related bacterial lineages | Nature Communications
A distinct class of conjugative megaplasmids is associated with prophages in distantly related bacterial lineages - Nature Communications
Closely related prophages can be found in phylogenetically distant bacteria, despite limited evidence of phage infections across broad host ranges. Here, Yuan et al. identify a group of conjugative megaplasmids associated with prophages across distantly related gut bacteria, suggesting a potential route for prophage dissemination in the human gut microbiome.
www.nature.com
November 2, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Great lab celebration of “phi80 day” last Friday with Danish beers at Mikkeller Bar in Zürich – the 10th anniversary of a fateful experiment I had done as PostDoc in Copenhagen. It’s not Halloween yet, but read on for the very dark story that got me hooked on phages 🧬💀 1/16
November 3, 2026 at 8:16 AM
DGRs
#phagesky
#phagesky
Diversity-generating retroelements enable phages to expand their host range in the human gut. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.10.30.763091v1
November 1, 2026 at 2:30 AM
DGRs
#phagesky
#phagesky
Such a thrilling & scary story @aharms485.bsky.social
Perfect timing of Halloween 🎃 😅
#phagesky #phage #microsky
Perfect timing of Halloween 🎃 😅
#phagesky #phage #microsky
Great lab celebration of “phi80 day” last Friday with Danish beers at Mikkeller Bar in Zürich – the 10th anniversary of a fateful experiment I had done as PostDoc in Copenhagen. It’s not Halloween yet, but read on for the very dark story that got me hooked on phages 🧬💀 1/16
October 30, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Such a thrilling & scary story @aharms485.bsky.social
Perfect timing of Halloween 🎃 😅
#phagesky #phage #microsky
Perfect timing of Halloween 🎃 😅
#phagesky #phage #microsky
#WorldPhageDay
#phage
#bacteriophage
#phagesky
#PhageResearch
#Microbiome
#AntimicrobialResistance
#AMR
#GutHealth
#FoodInnovation
#Sustainability
#phage
#bacteriophage
#phagesky
#PhageResearch
#Microbiome
#AntimicrobialResistance
#AMR
#GutHealth
#FoodInnovation
#Sustainability
October 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
#PhageSky
🙏thx joshua for the shoutout
🙏thx joshua for the shoutout
Happy World Phage Day to all who celebrate...
... delighted to share new work led by Jacopo Marchi, Chadiga Khalek & joint w/Remy Chait on stable coexistence of phage with migrating bacteria driven by the forces of infection, lysis, and chemotaxis.
A 🧵 at the interface between known & unknown.
... delighted to share new work led by Jacopo Marchi, Chadiga Khalek & joint w/Remy Chait on stable coexistence of phage with migrating bacteria driven by the forces of infection, lysis, and chemotaxis.
A 🧵 at the interface between known & unknown.
Stable coexistence and transport of lytic phage infections with migrating bacterial hosts
Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that exclusively infect bacteria, coexist with their bacterial hosts across diverse environments at densities exceeding 107 per milliliter in marine surface waters, 10...
www.science.org
October 25, 2026 at 7:32 AM
#PhageSky
🙏thx joshua for the shoutout
🙏thx joshua for the shoutout
Alfred Hershey’s bacteriophage experiments, including the Hershey–Chase work, confirmed DNA as the genetic material of viruses. With Delbrück and Luria he received the 1969 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. #WorldPhageDay #WorldPhageWeek #Phagesky
October 26, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Alfred Hershey’s bacteriophage experiments, including the Hershey–Chase work, confirmed DNA as the genetic material of viruses. With Delbrück and Luria he received the 1969 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. #WorldPhageDay #WorldPhageWeek #Phagesky
Meet the giant Sissivirus (and its #virophage)! With 4 Mbp genome, Sissivirus is the champion of all known viruses (by genome size). Check the preprint to learn how it got so big. The study led by Julien Andreani, Frederik Schulz @fmschu.bsky.social & Bernard La Scola
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
October 23, 2026 at 8:12 PM
This background & achievements demonstrates her truly foundational role in bacterial genetics and molecular biology
More background and photograph follow link asm.org/articles/202...
The Phage Community honour Esther Lederberg, a true #PhagePioneer. #Phagesky
#PhageResearch #Lambda #WorldPhageWeek
More background and photograph follow link asm.org/articles/202...
The Phage Community honour Esther Lederberg, a true #PhagePioneer. #Phagesky
#PhageResearch #Lambda #WorldPhageWeek
Esther Lederberg and the Rise of Microbial Genetics
Dr. Esther Lederberg was a pioneer in bacterial genetics. Though overshadowed by those of her colleagues (who were men), recognizing her contributions is key to bringing her legacy out of the shadows.
asm.org
October 28, 2026 at 5:04 PM
This background & achievements demonstrates her truly foundational role in bacterial genetics and molecular biology
More background and photograph follow link asm.org/articles/202...
The Phage Community honour Esther Lederberg, a true #PhagePioneer. #Phagesky
#PhageResearch #Lambda #WorldPhageWeek
More background and photograph follow link asm.org/articles/202...
The Phage Community honour Esther Lederberg, a true #PhagePioneer. #Phagesky
#PhageResearch #Lambda #WorldPhageWeek
Delbrück, Luria and Hershey shared the 1969 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries concerning the replication mechanism and genetic structure of viruses -work that used bacteriophages to reveal fundamental principles of genetics. #WorldPhageDay #WorldPhageWeek #AgeofthePhage #Phagesky
October 26, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Delbrück, Luria and Hershey shared the 1969 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries concerning the replication mechanism and genetic structure of viruses -work that used bacteriophages to reveal fundamental principles of genetics. #WorldPhageDay #WorldPhageWeek #AgeofthePhage #Phagesky
Max Delbrück helped transform bacteriophage research into a precise science. With Luria and Hershey he revealed fundamental principles of genetics and replication using these viruses. Shared the 1969 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. #WorldPhageDay #WorldPhageWeek #Phagesky
October 26, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Max Delbrück helped transform bacteriophage research into a precise science. With Luria and Hershey he revealed fundamental principles of genetics and replication using these viruses. Shared the 1969 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. #WorldPhageDay #WorldPhageWeek #Phagesky
Phage-UK is linking clinicians, while UK Phage Therapy and UKHSA are building supporting infrastructure (collections, matching and pathways) to move beyond one-off cases.
Ref: #AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series
#WorldPhageDay #AMR #PhageTherapy #Phagesky
Ref: #AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series
#WorldPhageDay #AMR #PhageTherapy #Phagesky
October 26, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Phage-UK is linking clinicians, while UK Phage Therapy and UKHSA are building supporting infrastructure (collections, matching and pathways) to move beyond one-off cases.
Ref: #AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series
#WorldPhageDay #AMR #PhageTherapy #Phagesky
Ref: #AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series
#WorldPhageDay #AMR #PhageTherapy #Phagesky
Love the #AllThingsPhage activity by the Phage Research and Advocacy Network (PRAN)
#WorldPhageWeek | 22-28 October connecting with the African community and celebrating the networks and phage pioneers advancing bacteriophage research across the continent. #AMR #PhageSky
#WorldPhageWeek | 22-28 October connecting with the African community and celebrating the networks and phage pioneers advancing bacteriophage research across the continent. #AMR #PhageSky
October 26, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Love the #AllThingsPhage activity by the Phage Research and Advocacy Network (PRAN)
#WorldPhageWeek | 22-28 October connecting with the African community and celebrating the networks and phage pioneers advancing bacteriophage research across the continent. #AMR #PhageSky
#WorldPhageWeek | 22-28 October connecting with the African community and celebrating the networks and phage pioneers advancing bacteriophage research across the continent. #AMR #PhageSky
already coordinates phage matching for compassionate use - and is actively working toward establishing Canada’s first dedicated Phage Therapy Treatment Centre.
Ref: @AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series #WorldPhageDay #AMR #PhageTherapy #Phagesky
Ref: @AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series #WorldPhageDay #AMR #PhageTherapy #Phagesky
October 25, 2026 at 10:13 PM
already coordinates phage matching for compassionate use - and is actively working toward establishing Canada’s first dedicated Phage Therapy Treatment Centre.
Ref: @AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series #WorldPhageDay #AMR #PhageTherapy #Phagesky
Ref: @AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series #WorldPhageDay #AMR #PhageTherapy #Phagesky
Most of its work covers England (health protection being largely devolved), it holds certain UK-wide responsibilities on reserved matters and works closely with the devolved administrations.
Ref: AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series #WorldPhageDay#Phagesky
Ref: AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series #WorldPhageDay#Phagesky
October 25, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Most of its work covers England (health protection being largely devolved), it holds certain UK-wide responsibilities on reserved matters and works closely with the devolved administrations.
Ref: AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series #WorldPhageDay#Phagesky
Ref: AgeofthePhage #WorldPhageWeek ‘ Mapping the Global Phage Landscape’ Series #WorldPhageDay#Phagesky
Greetings from the 8th #WorldPhageWeek to Sharaine and colleagues @ukhsa.bsky.social
#WorldPhageDay 22 October (birthdate of Frederick Twort) launches the annual phage week - increasing awareness of phage potential and remembering phage pioneers.
#ageofthephage #AMR #phageresearch #Phagesky
#WorldPhageDay 22 October (birthdate of Frederick Twort) launches the annual phage week - increasing awareness of phage potential and remembering phage pioneers.
#ageofthephage #AMR #phageresearch #Phagesky
Sharaine works at Porton Down, in what is sometimes called our 'top secret lab'. 🔬 🧪
Go behind the scenes and find out about her work on phages - a possible alternative treatment for antibiotics. 🧫
Go behind the scenes and find out about her work on phages - a possible alternative treatment for antibiotics. 🧫
October 25, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Greetings from the 8th #WorldPhageWeek to Sharaine and colleagues @ukhsa.bsky.social
#WorldPhageDay 22 October (birthdate of Frederick Twort) launches the annual phage week - increasing awareness of phage potential and remembering phage pioneers.
#ageofthephage #AMR #phageresearch #Phagesky
#WorldPhageDay 22 October (birthdate of Frederick Twort) launches the annual phage week - increasing awareness of phage potential and remembering phage pioneers.
#ageofthephage #AMR #phageresearch #Phagesky
#MicroSky: One Health: A lytic bacteriophage cocktail disrupts mixed-species biofilms formed by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, improving survival in infection models and offering a promising strategy against AMR. Ren et al. at doi.org/10.1111/1751...
October 23, 2026 at 8:15 PM
The very last bit of data from my PhD is out! Read on to learn more about why the presence of A. baumannii results in more CRISPR-based #phage resistance in P. aeruginosa 🦠🧫
www.cell.com/current-biol...?
www.cell.com/current-biol...?
Interbacterial competition triggers stress-induced CRISPR immunity against bacteriophages
Custodio et al. show that interbacterial competition can actively promote CRISPR immunity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Competition triggers an SOS-associated response that primes adaptive antiphage defense, linking interspecies conflict and cellular stress to the evolution of phage resistance.
www.cell.com
October 20, 2026 at 8:50 PM
1. This was to treat a persistent E. coli infection.
2. Note just the phage RBP was designed, not a genome.
3. The question would be if the designed phage infects the target strain better than preexisting phages. Skeptical, but they write: "the bacteria had resisted ... all the available phages."
2. Note just the phage RBP was designed, not a genome.
3. The question would be if the designed phage infects the target strain better than preexisting phages. Skeptical, but they write: "the bacteria had resisted ... all the available phages."
October 21, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Good morning! Happy #WorldPhageDay. It’s #WorldPhageWeek once again - join in and enjoy the #AllThingsPhage celebrations. #PhageSky
October 21, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Good morning! Happy #WorldPhageDay. It’s #WorldPhageWeek once again - join in and enjoy the #AllThingsPhage celebrations. #PhageSky
#WorldPhageDay is when the phage community celebrate the #phage and its potential to combat #superbugs. Launching a week of #AllThingsPhage and past bacteriophage pioneers are remembered! Use the campaign hashtags to share your celebratory contribution/ #WorldPhageWeek #PhageSky
October 22, 2026 at 9:24 AM
#WorldPhageDay is when the phage community celebrate the #phage and its potential to combat #superbugs. Launching a week of #AllThingsPhage and past bacteriophage pioneers are remembered! Use the campaign hashtags to share your celebratory contribution/ #WorldPhageWeek #PhageSky
#WorldPhageDay 22nd October was chosen to mark the birthday of Frederick Twort. In 1915, Lancet published his pioneering work, ‘An Investigation on the Nature of Ultra-Microscopic Viruses’. His discovery and funding was aborted as he was sent to serve as a medical officer during WW1. #PhageSky
October 22, 2026 at 12:01 PM
#WorldPhageDay 22nd October was chosen to mark the birthday of Frederick Twort. In 1915, Lancet published his pioneering work, ‘An Investigation on the Nature of Ultra-Microscopic Viruses’. His discovery and funding was aborted as he was sent to serve as a medical officer during WW1. #PhageSky
A #WorldPhageDay special shoutout for Sophia Zimmermann's phenomenal phage drawing... and @NatureMicrobiol - fantastic cover. Greetings on the 8th #WorldPhageDay! #ageofthephage #WorldPhageWeek #PhageSky
Cover image alert 🎨🚨👇🏼 - check out the amazing drawing of Sophia Zimmermann from our group in Nature Microbiology @natmicrobiol.nature.com !
Fun fact: Sophia initially drew it as a present to Dorentina @humollidorentina.bsky.social when we celebrated her recent paper on TnSeq with phages 🥂😊.
Fun fact: Sophia initially drew it as a present to Dorentina @humollidorentina.bsky.social when we celebrated her recent paper on TnSeq with phages 🥂😊.
October 22, 2026 at 7:12 PM
A #WorldPhageDay special shoutout for Sophia Zimmermann's phenomenal phage drawing... and @NatureMicrobiol - fantastic cover. Greetings on the 8th #WorldPhageDay! #ageofthephage #WorldPhageWeek #PhageSky
Aufruf an alle PhD-Studierenden, Postdocs und Lab-Teams! Ihr seid die leidenschaftlichen Maschinenräume der globalen Phagenforschung, und #WorldPhageWeek gehören EUCH. Feiert #Phage und teilt die menschliche Seite der Phagenwissenschaft! Nennt euren Helden, einen Lieblingsphagen-eure Rolle #PhageSky
October 23, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Aufruf an alle PhD-Studierenden, Postdocs und Lab-Teams! Ihr seid die leidenschaftlichen Maschinenräume der globalen Phagenforschung, und #WorldPhageWeek gehören EUCH. Feiert #Phage und teilt die menschliche Seite der Phagenwissenschaft! Nennt euren Helden, einen Lieblingsphagen-eure Rolle #PhageSky
Klic vsem doktorskim študentom, postdokom in laboratorijskim ekipam! Vi ste strastni motorji globalnega raziskovanja fagov, in #WorldPhageDay ter #WorldPhageWeek pripadata VAM. Praznujte #Phage in delite človeško plat znanosti o fagih! Poimenujte svojega junaka, najljubši fag, svojo vlogo. #PhageSky
October 22, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Klic vsem doktorskim študentom, postdokom in laboratorijskim ekipam! Vi ste strastni motorji globalnega raziskovanja fagov, in #WorldPhageDay ter #WorldPhageWeek pripadata VAM. Praznujte #Phage in delite človeško plat znanosti o fagih! Poimenujte svojega junaka, najljubši fag, svojo vlogo. #PhageSky