@davidroper2.bsky.social
Professor of Biochemistry at U.Warwick, UK. bacterial cell walls, cell division, antibiotic discovery and resistance mechanisms. I’m on
here for science just like @davidroper2. Views my own.
His name is Gus if you are wondering…
here for science just like @davidroper2. Views my own.
His name is Gus if you are wondering…
Reposted
A. baumannii is one of the most notorious multidrug-resistant pathogens, capable of forming drug-tolerant biofilms that make infections exceptionally difficult to treat. But how are these complex microbial fortresses built? Just published in Nat Comms. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41654547/
Antiparallel stacking of Csu pili drives Acinetobacter baumannii 3D biofilm assembly - PubMed
Many Gram-negative nosocomial pathogens rely on adhesive filaments, known as archaic chaperone-usher pili, to establish stress- and drug-resistant, multi-layered biofilms. Here, we uncover the mechanism by which these pili build three-dimensional (3D) biofilm architectures. In situ analyses of Acine …
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
February 12, 2026 at 1:26 PM
A. baumannii is one of the most notorious multidrug-resistant pathogens, capable of forming drug-tolerant biofilms that make infections exceptionally difficult to treat. But how are these complex microbial fortresses built? Just published in Nat Comms. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41654547/
The first 13 mins was about the perilous state the European and UK chemicals industry that underpins economies, healthcare, infrastructure and our future. The last 2 about the reported headline.
What is more important?
What is more important?
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
'The UK has been colonised by immigrants', says INEOS boss and Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Britain has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the country's richest and most influential men, has told Sky News.
news.sky.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:12 PM
The first 13 mins was about the perilous state the European and UK chemicals industry that underpins economies, healthcare, infrastructure and our future. The last 2 about the reported headline.
What is more important?
What is more important?
Reposted
Registration is open for the 7th UK Workshop on Membrane #Proteins! Join us from 15-17 April to understand the basics of membrane protein purification using cutting edge methods. Places are limited, save £50 with our earlybird discount if you register before 15 February: ow.ly/rx0B50YbAUt
February 10, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Registration is open for the 7th UK Workshop on Membrane #Proteins! Join us from 15-17 April to understand the basics of membrane protein purification using cutting edge methods. Places are limited, save £50 with our earlybird discount if you register before 15 February: ow.ly/rx0B50YbAUt
Reposted
Our new paper is out on the cell wall UDP-sugar nucleotide pathways in Candida & their potential as antifungal drug targets. doi.org/10.1016/j.tc...
@mrccmm.bsky.social @youngecmm.bsky.social @ecmmcandidaiv.bsky.social @ishamycology.bsky.social @youngisham.bsky.social @bsmm-meeting.bsky.social
@mrccmm.bsky.social @youngecmm.bsky.social @ecmmcandidaiv.bsky.social @ishamycology.bsky.social @youngisham.bsky.social @bsmm-meeting.bsky.social
February 12, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Our new paper is out on the cell wall UDP-sugar nucleotide pathways in Candida & their potential as antifungal drug targets. doi.org/10.1016/j.tc...
@mrccmm.bsky.social @youngecmm.bsky.social @ecmmcandidaiv.bsky.social @ishamycology.bsky.social @youngisham.bsky.social @bsmm-meeting.bsky.social
@mrccmm.bsky.social @youngecmm.bsky.social @ecmmcandidaiv.bsky.social @ishamycology.bsky.social @youngisham.bsky.social @bsmm-meeting.bsky.social
Reposted
Super cool story from Sam Fenn. He developed a wound model where s. aureus & p. aerunginosa & c. albicans fight it out shows that copper is central to the outcome where Candida and pseudomonas take copper from human tissue to gang up on staph!
But staph being staph is as always one step ahead….
But staph being staph is as always one step ahead….
Copper as a central element critical to interkingdom interactions within a polymicrobial wound environment. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.10.705071v1
February 11, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Super cool story from Sam Fenn. He developed a wound model where s. aureus & p. aerunginosa & c. albicans fight it out shows that copper is central to the outcome where Candida and pseudomonas take copper from human tissue to gang up on staph!
But staph being staph is as always one step ahead….
But staph being staph is as always one step ahead….
yep..
Britain must not squander its brilliance in biotech
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/413224/
Biotechnology is one of the most revolutionary, yet underappreciated, technologies of our time. This year alone, it promises…
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/413224/
Biotechnology is one of the most revolutionary, yet underappreciated, technologies of our time. This year alone, it promises…
Britain must not squander its brilliance in biotech - United Kingdom News Beep
Biotechnology is one of the most revolutionary, yet underappreciated, technologies of our time. This year alone, it promises personalised cancer vaccines,
www.newsbeep.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:07 PM
yep..
Reposted
Preprint on the permeability of Gram+ bacterial cell wall from a few months ago. Intriguing findings, elegant methodology. Cell wall is largely impermeable to molecule sizes of mNeonGreen (27kDa) and above. How do larger secreted proteins get through? www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #microsky
www.biorxiv.org
February 9, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Preprint on the permeability of Gram+ bacterial cell wall from a few months ago. Intriguing findings, elegant methodology. Cell wall is largely impermeable to molecule sizes of mNeonGreen (27kDa) and above. How do larger secreted proteins get through? www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #microsky
Reposted
'A senior leader at the UK Medical Research Council has confirmed that it expects to fund fewer grants through its applicant-led schemes than in previous years.'
www.researchprofessional.com/news-article...
www.researchprofessional.com/news-article...
Research Professional Sign-in
www.researchprofessional.com
February 5, 2026 at 3:37 PM
'A senior leader at the UK Medical Research Council has confirmed that it expects to fund fewer grants through its applicant-led schemes than in previous years.'
www.researchprofessional.com/news-article...
www.researchprofessional.com/news-article...
I read this a "severe cuts to the next round in March" (consistant with other sources of info), after that we may get some more normal service later in the year
I trust...
I trust...
Finally an official update from #MRC regarding grant application funding and severe cuts to funded research in rounds currently under review:
www.ukri.org/blog/mrc-fun...
Not that it gives any reassurance or details beyond a comprehensive list of what is suspended.
#UKsciencefunding
www.ukri.org/blog/mrc-fun...
Not that it gives any reassurance or details beyond a comprehensive list of what is suspended.
#UKsciencefunding
MRC funding update
An update on MRC funding during UKRI’s transition, what’s changing, and the next steps for paused opportunities and reopening timelines.
www.ukri.org
February 5, 2026 at 5:32 PM
I read this a "severe cuts to the next round in March" (consistant with other sources of info), after that we may get some more normal service later in the year
I trust...
I trust...
Reposted
Another step in understanding #Cdiff lyfe cycle and pathogenicity, from Aimee Shen's lab. Congratulations to all involved!
Unlike other #bacteria, C. difficile must detect both germinant & co-germinant signals to trigger #spore #germination. This study finds that the CspC:CspA complex is a key signaling node that integrates environmental cues to regulate #Cdifficile spore germination @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4rtCKdZ
February 3, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Another step in understanding #Cdiff lyfe cycle and pathogenicity, from Aimee Shen's lab. Congratulations to all involved!
UKRI chief blames leaks as cuts ‘not well communicated’ www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ukri-ch...
UKRI chief blames leaks as cuts ‘not well communicated’
Ian Chapman tells MPs that some funding streams will be back online ‘in weeks’ amid uncertainty over impact of research changes
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:03 PM
UKRI chief blames leaks as cuts ‘not well communicated’ www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ukri-ch...
Reposted
A gift of an article from the inimitable Colin Kleanthous as he says a moving farewell to his laboratory. A brave, unrepentant and scientifically brilliant journey is described - please have a read, friends.
www.jbc.org/article/S002...
www.jbc.org/article/S002...
Bacteriocin biophysics: From protein-protein interaction models to navigators of the bacterial cell envelope
Bacteriocins are toxins deployed by bacteria to kill their competitors. Here, I reflect
on my laboratory’s work on protein bacteriocins and their immunity proteins from Gram-negative
bacteria. We unco...
www.jbc.org
February 2, 2026 at 12:39 PM
A gift of an article from the inimitable Colin Kleanthous as he says a moving farewell to his laboratory. A brave, unrepentant and scientifically brilliant journey is described - please have a read, friends.
www.jbc.org/article/S002...
www.jbc.org/article/S002...
Reposted
Just trying to figure out which “bucket” this phenomical fundamental bioscience discovery fits into 🤔 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Prototaxites fossils are structurally and chemically distinct from extinct and extant Fungi
Prototaxites fossils are distinct from Fungi, suggesting that they represent an extinct lineage of eukaryotic life.
www.science.org
February 2, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Just trying to figure out which “bucket” this phenomical fundamental bioscience discovery fits into 🤔 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Dr Sir Ian
If this statement is supposed to reassure that everything is under control, you are sadly very wrong.
Strategic change needs managing to take the community with you, what’s happening now with MRC, BBSRC, STFC etc looks like panic & smells of desperation.
Do better
If this statement is supposed to reassure that everything is under control, you are sadly very wrong.
Strategic change needs managing to take the community with you, what’s happening now with MRC, BBSRC, STFC etc looks like panic & smells of desperation.
Do better
February 1, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Dr Sir Ian
If this statement is supposed to reassure that everything is under control, you are sadly very wrong.
Strategic change needs managing to take the community with you, what’s happening now with MRC, BBSRC, STFC etc looks like panic & smells of desperation.
Do better
If this statement is supposed to reassure that everything is under control, you are sadly very wrong.
Strategic change needs managing to take the community with you, what’s happening now with MRC, BBSRC, STFC etc looks like panic & smells of desperation.
Do better
Reposted
#UKsciencefundingcrisis MRC,BBSRC,EPSRC paused researcher-led grants until Spring. This means no funds in 2026 as evaluation takes 6-9 months. Projects halted, staff, knowledge loss. We need to challenge this and the lack of info and clarity. #ScienceisVital #academicSky
shorturl.at/ag03S
shorturl.at/ag03S
UK science funding is currently facing a profound crisis, particularly for Life Sciences. Medical Research Council and BBSRC have paused researcher-led grant applications until the Spring, with no… | ...
UK science funding is currently facing a profound crisis, particularly for Life Sciences. Medical Research Council and BBSRC have paused researcher-led grant applications until the Spring, with no cle...
www.linkedin.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:23 PM
#UKsciencefundingcrisis MRC,BBSRC,EPSRC paused researcher-led grants until Spring. This means no funds in 2026 as evaluation takes 6-9 months. Projects halted, staff, knowledge loss. We need to challenge this and the lack of info and clarity. #ScienceisVital #academicSky
shorturl.at/ag03S
shorturl.at/ag03S
Serious question. My granddaughter (1 year old) started nursery on Jan 6th. So far she has had chicken pox and is now in the way back from UCHW with RSV apparently.
Normal?
Or did we not have this 30 years ago?
Normal?
Or did we not have this 30 years ago?
January 30, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Serious question. My granddaughter (1 year old) started nursery on Jan 6th. So far she has had chicken pox and is now in the way back from UCHW with RSV apparently.
Normal?
Or did we not have this 30 years ago?
Normal?
Or did we not have this 30 years ago?
Just a thought UKRI and BBSRC, there may be another matter that is at the forefront of the community’s thoughts at this exact time….
“One big step forward would be for EDI to be properly recognised as part of everyone’s job, not something that’s ‘on top’ of it.”
Professor Candy Rowe, Chair of the BBSRC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expert Advisory Group, reflects on the group’s impact across UK bioscience.
Read the blog ⬇️
Professor Candy Rowe, Chair of the BBSRC Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expert Advisory Group, reflects on the group’s impact across UK bioscience.
Read the blog ⬇️
Championing EDI in bioscience
Reflections on advancing BBSRC’s work through its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expert Advisory Group.
www.ukri.org
January 30, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Just a thought UKRI and BBSRC, there may be another matter that is at the forefront of the community’s thoughts at this exact time….
Couldn’t possibly comment …
January 30, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Couldn’t possibly comment …
Reposted
Nobel winner and senior scientists slam cuts to UK physics
“These cuts are the inevitable consequence of the government’s choices,” Nobel winner Andre Geim tells me
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
“These cuts are the inevitable consequence of the government’s choices,” Nobel winner Andre Geim tells me
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Nobel winner and senior scientists slam cuts to UK physics - Research Professional News
Science and Technology Facilities Council’s £162 million cost-saving measures “will have catastrophic consequences”, government warned
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Nobel winner and senior scientists slam cuts to UK physics
“These cuts are the inevitable consequence of the government’s choices,” Nobel winner Andre Geim tells me
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
“These cuts are the inevitable consequence of the government’s choices,” Nobel winner Andre Geim tells me
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted
'It’s time we had a proper debate about funding university education
Changes to student loans have, in effect, privatised undergraduate teaching in England'
www.ft.com/content/6143...
Changes to student loans have, in effect, privatised undergraduate teaching in England'
www.ft.com/content/6143...
It’s time we had a proper debate about funding university education
Changes to student loans have, in effect, privatised undergraduate teaching in England
www.ft.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:41 AM
'It’s time we had a proper debate about funding university education
Changes to student loans have, in effect, privatised undergraduate teaching in England'
www.ft.com/content/6143...
Changes to student loans have, in effect, privatised undergraduate teaching in England'
www.ft.com/content/6143...
Reposted
Update on UKRI funding situation.
Summary: it is mostly bad news, and with significant uncertainties around new funding model.
Summary: it is mostly bad news, and with significant uncertainties around new funding model.
‘Grave’ concerns over applicant-led funds at UK research councils.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
January 28, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Update on UKRI funding situation.
Summary: it is mostly bad news, and with significant uncertainties around new funding model.
Summary: it is mostly bad news, and with significant uncertainties around new funding model.
Reposted
Check out these tools to detect co-evolution in protein-protein interactions developed by postdoc @chrislbgraham.bsky.social
Very useful as a hypothesis generator, complementing protein interaction prediction from Alphafold.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Very useful as a hypothesis generator, complementing protein interaction prediction from Alphafold.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org
January 27, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Check out these tools to detect co-evolution in protein-protein interactions developed by postdoc @chrislbgraham.bsky.social
Very useful as a hypothesis generator, complementing protein interaction prediction from Alphafold.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Very useful as a hypothesis generator, complementing protein interaction prediction from Alphafold.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...