New post-doctoral research position in my phage-host interactions (Phi) laboratory in @otagomicroimmuno.bsky.social at @universityofotago.bsky.social New Zealand. The project is focused on defences against jumbo phages. Please share and if interested apply using the link in the comments.
Join the University of Otago, New Zealand, for a 2.5βyear postdoctoral role focused on the structural and functional analysis of serine hydrolases. This project centres on solving and interpreting atomic structures to guide the development of novel antibiotics.
otago.taleo.net/careersectio...
π± Biosensors are changing the game for plant health, delivering realβtime insights that boost precision horticulture and forestry.
Check out our latest research highlight, where Dalila Pasquini breaks down a newly published study on smarter plant monitoring.
π bit.ly/4sVjqHW
Freshly dug soil
courgette plants
After initial concern from the neighbours my zucchini patch is thriving
Advertisement for the Royal Society of Chemistry training course database, featuring a person smiling while using a laptop and headphones, sitting at a desk near a window with sunlight streaming in. Text overlay announces the live status of the course database and prompts to explore available high-quality courses approved by the RSC.
Do you have plans for your professional development in 2026?
Our database of training courses helps you to find high quality options, all independently verified by the RSC.
Easily navigate a wide range of courses: https://rsc.li/4jWf1Rc #ChemSky
ONE WEEK LEFT TO APPLY: Weβre hiring 4 roles at UWA's Plant Synbio Innovation Centre: Facility Manager + 3 Postdocs (single-cell genomics/screening; molecular tools; construct prototyping) bit.ly/4qfoftG bit.ly/3MFgD59 bit.ly/4pFT6jf bit.ly/48VkgLw
Apply by Tuesday 27 Jan 2026 (11:55pm AWST)
Phalaenopsis Fuller's Sunset
Biochemical Journal Mechanisms of life December 2025 issue
Check out the latest issue of Biochemical Journal, featuring research on enzymology, molecular interactions, signaling biotechnology, gene expression, host-microbe interactions, and mutationπ§ͺ https://ow.ly/MijF50XXQtp
Spotting the iridescent blue-green shimmer of a kΕtare sacred kingfisher is an unexpected urban moment β perhaps on a power line or in your backyard! β¨ KΕtare are adapting to urban landscapes in Aotearoa, and there are ways we can help them thrive further.Β
πΈ: Maurice Summerfield, Dan Dirks
unapologetic cat
Tonight's first world problem, cat spills prosecco on my laptop.
π Lorne Proteins 2026βInvited speakers Tzviya Zeev-Ben-Mordehai, Utrecht U, increasing the reach of cryo-EM SPA to native samples & for de novo protein ID! And Max Wilkinson, MSKCC, on reverse transcriptase discovery in transposon mobility and phage defence.
π Register now: www.lorneproteins.org
π‘ The right container, for the right species, in the right place can make all the difference. These tΔ« kΕuka seedlings show how container choice shapes root development β and long-term survival. π±
Read more about this NZ-first native tree study led by our team: bit.ly/4p9SjWM
#BioeconomyScience
Fungus-eating Ladybird Illeis galbula
Enjoy the powdery mildew my friend.
Sunflower and mantis
For all #ubiquitin aficionados out there: Our new study, where we used an #alphafold based screen and found a new class of plant-specific DUBs, which cleave K63 chains and interfere with endocytosis at the plasma membrane. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Monarch butterfly
Great find in the shed. All I need now is a radio mouse and a floppy disk drive.
Even the garlic is rusty in a Rotorua!
Christmas garlic crop harvested. Guess what will be in your stocking this year? (CRC for scale).
We are hiring! Are you a plant pathologist looking for a permanent academic research+teaching role in NZ? Read more here: www.seek.co.nz/job/89090337...
Exploded hot water cylinder element. Assembled by Dale Copeland 2021.
Remnant of the Big Bang
Chaos and confusion donβt protect children. The best available science does. Todayβs expected vote by RFK Jr.βs vaccine advisory committee will have significant consequences for our kidsβ health. (π§΅)
π’ Lorne Proteins 2026 features Ruchi Anand, IIT Bombayβapplying advanced structural biology to AMR mechanisms π¦ and biosensor development π‘. And synthetic biology titan Hagan Bayley, Oxford, fabricating 3D tissues 𧫠to founding Oxford Nanopore π©.
π€ Register now at: www.lorneproteins.org
Finally! The European Union allows the use of genome editing! π±πΎπ«πͺπΊπ§¬
www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/v...
Just registered for FEBS advanced workshop Protein termini 2026 in Palermo #proteintermini2026 (?) Looking forward to a great meeting. @ispt-proteinterm.bsky.social
www.conferencecentral.org/webpage/view...
Illustration showing a person examining a plant with text about the scarcity of plant taxonomists worldwide.
Plant taxonomy is disappearing - and so is our ability to protect species π
Nearly half of countries have fewer than 10 plant taxonomists. Kew is working to close the gap, but we need more experts fast.
Read the studyβs key findings and what we're doing about it π
https://ow.ly/XhJo50XyGAa
Humblebee and poppy
The Take Off and Landing of Everything
Weβve made some new tools to manipulate N-recognins. Check them out in our preprint.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Join @uofglasgow.bsky.social for a funded 3.5 year PhD programme:
www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvl...
Also up for grabs is a project on antiviral PROTACs, supervised by us and the France lab (School of Chemistry) should ubiquitin and viruses appeal! Please get in touch with any questions.
Climate of fear: are CSIROβs sweeping job cuts a sign Australia doesnβt care about the extinction crisis?
Ever decreasing funding for the globally respected government agency mirrors an industry-wide trend that could hinder scientific breakthroughs www.theguardian.com/australia-ne....
