Freya Harrison
@friendlymicrobe.bsky.social
Reader (Associate Professor) in Microbiology at the University of Warwick, UK.
Biofilm, chronic infection and ancientbiotics.
Biofilm, chronic infection and ancientbiotics.
Pinned
Harrison Lab @ University of Warwick, UK
We are a team of microbiologists working at the University of Warwick, UK.
www.youtube.com
The lab now has a YouTube channel to collate videos of the team talking science: www.youtube.com/@BreakingBio...
This looks like a brilliant opportunity! #MicroSky
We’re looking for a Summer Intern to generate microscopy videos of bacteria bursting in response to administering antibiotics as part of a public education video on the uses of antibiotics and risks of misuse 🔬
🗓️ Apply by 5 January
➡️ buff.ly/YlUQUho
🗓️ Apply by 5 January
➡️ buff.ly/YlUQUho
December 23, 2025 at 11:14 AM
This looks like a brilliant opportunity! #MicroSky
”Mice remain useful for systemic interactions & whole-body physiology, but human iPSCs, organoids, & engineered tissues … capture patient-specific genetics & disease phenotypes in ways that mice simply cannot.” Interesting longish read on drug screening www.drugdiscoverynews.com/can-we-stop-...
Can we stop using mice for research?
As nearly 90 percent of drugs fail in human trials, researchers are turning to patient-derived cells, engineered tissues, and AI to better predict human responses and reduce costly late-stage failures...
www.drugdiscoverynews.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:12 AM
”Mice remain useful for systemic interactions & whole-body physiology, but human iPSCs, organoids, & engineered tissues … capture patient-specific genetics & disease phenotypes in ways that mice simply cannot.” Interesting longish read on drug screening www.drugdiscoverynews.com/can-we-stop-...
The Sentinel programme has trained over 3,000 health professionals from 53 African countries in genomics, so they can track and respond to infectious disease outbreaks #MicroSky www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Meet Dr Happi. With $100m and a steely determination could he save the world from the next pandemic?
The Cameroonian professor made the Time most influential list in 2025 and saw the project he co-founded receive $100m for its virus detection work. Now he is on a mission to transform Africa’s genomic...
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:03 AM
The Sentinel programme has trained over 3,000 health professionals from 53 African countries in genomics, so they can track and respond to infectious disease outbreaks #MicroSky www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
This thread is quite a shocker.
Closing out my year with a journal editor shocker 🧵
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
December 21, 2025 at 10:16 AM
This thread is quite a shocker.
Reposted by Freya Harrison
🚨 Postdoctoral Opportunity for Female Scientists🚨
The University of Vienna is awarding at least 20 fully funded 4 year postdoctoral positions to outstanding female scientists
Interested? Get in touch via direct message
careers.univie.ac.at/en/postdoc/e...
#MicroSky 🧪
#PostDoc @univie.ac.at
The University of Vienna is awarding at least 20 fully funded 4 year postdoctoral positions to outstanding female scientists
Interested? Get in touch via direct message
careers.univie.ac.at/en/postdoc/e...
#MicroSky 🧪
#PostDoc @univie.ac.at
December 19, 2025 at 12:24 AM
🚨 Postdoctoral Opportunity for Female Scientists🚨
The University of Vienna is awarding at least 20 fully funded 4 year postdoctoral positions to outstanding female scientists
Interested? Get in touch via direct message
careers.univie.ac.at/en/postdoc/e...
#MicroSky 🧪
#PostDoc @univie.ac.at
The University of Vienna is awarding at least 20 fully funded 4 year postdoctoral positions to outstanding female scientists
Interested? Get in touch via direct message
careers.univie.ac.at/en/postdoc/e...
#MicroSky 🧪
#PostDoc @univie.ac.at
Some fabulous opportunities here! #MicroSky
We are recruiting for a number of PhDs in the HPRU in Public Health Genomics, based at @unibirmingham.bsky.social, in collaboration with UKHSA. 🦠🧬
Apply below to work on cutting-edge science and public health priorities! (NB deadline of 9th January / UK only due to funding restrictions)
(1/7)
Apply below to work on cutting-edge science and public health priorities! (NB deadline of 9th January / UK only due to funding restrictions)
(1/7)
December 16, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Some fabulous opportunities here! #MicroSky
Reposted by Freya Harrison
Recent work from the lab showing how presence of O-antigen deficient Pseudomonas variants change aggregate assembly and microbiogeography of infection
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Whole-tissue imaging reveals intrastrain diversity shapes the spatial organization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a murine infection model | mSphere
Intrastrain genetic and phenotypic diversity within Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations is common in chronic pulmonary infections. While this intrastrain heterogeneity is a hallmark of chronic infection, its consequences for the spatial organization of P. aeruginosa within the airways remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the loss of O-specific antigen in a subpopulation of P. aeruginosa significantly alters the spatial architecture of P. aeruginosa, without changing the total population size or composition. Using a combination of tissue clearing and hybridization chain reaction RNA-FISH in a murine lung infection model, we mapped the localization of genetically distinct P. aeruginosa variants in mixed populations in vivo. These findings reveal that genetic diversification within a strain can reshape the infection landscape at the micron scale, highlighting the overlooked role of intrastrain dynamics in shaping the microbiogeography of infections and influencing host-pathogen interactions.
journals.asm.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Recent work from the lab showing how presence of O-antigen deficient Pseudomonas variants change aggregate assembly and microbiogeography of infection
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
This is a very nice systematic review of what we know about Staphylococcus aureus #biofilm in the context of #CysticFibrosis www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24... #MicroSky
www.mdpi.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:53 PM
This is a very nice systematic review of what we know about Staphylococcus aureus #biofilm in the context of #CysticFibrosis www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24... #MicroSky
Reposted by Freya Harrison
'Nottingham Trent University – which reported a £2 million deficit – paid its departing vice-chancellor Edward Peck a bonus of £66,000 in his last year in the job....Peck...received a total pay package of £435,000 in 2024-25 – up from £407,000 the year before.'
Vice-chancellor bonuses growing despite sector funding crisis
Universities defend decision to award some vice-chancellors larger bonuses than last year, with one private institution giving boss over £100K
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:52 AM
'Nottingham Trent University – which reported a £2 million deficit – paid its departing vice-chancellor Edward Peck a bonus of £66,000 in his last year in the job....Peck...received a total pay package of £435,000 in 2024-25 – up from £407,000 the year before.'
Reposted by Freya Harrison
🚨 The UK government just published a breakdown of the responses to its consultation on AI & copyright:
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
December 15, 2025 at 11:22 AM
🚨 The UK government just published a breakdown of the responses to its consultation on AI & copyright:
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
Reposted by Freya Harrison
reminder of cryptogyny, the hiding of women's contributions to science, technology, engineering, and medicine:
"although three men received the Nobel Prize for penicillin, women participated significantly in the team effort that brought the drug to medical usefulness."
www.jstor.org/stable/jj.55...
"although three men received the Nobel Prize for penicillin, women participated significantly in the team effort that brought the drug to medical usefulness."
www.jstor.org/stable/jj.55...
November 15, 2025 at 9:08 AM
reminder of cryptogyny, the hiding of women's contributions to science, technology, engineering, and medicine:
"although three men received the Nobel Prize for penicillin, women participated significantly in the team effort that brought the drug to medical usefulness."
www.jstor.org/stable/jj.55...
"although three men received the Nobel Prize for penicillin, women participated significantly in the team effort that brought the drug to medical usefulness."
www.jstor.org/stable/jj.55...
Reposted by Freya Harrison
Honored to be part of a collaborative team receiving funding to genetically engineer methanogens in ruminants for reducing carbon emissions. We're now seeking multiple postdocs in the USA, Germany, and New Zealand - apply via the link!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
🧫🧪 #ArchaeaSky #MicrobiomeSky
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
🧫🧪 #ArchaeaSky #MicrobiomeSky
November 22, 2024 at 6:36 AM
Honored to be part of a collaborative team receiving funding to genetically engineer methanogens in ruminants for reducing carbon emissions. We're now seeking multiple postdocs in the USA, Germany, and New Zealand - apply via the link!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
🧫🧪 #ArchaeaSky #MicrobiomeSky
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
🧫🧪 #ArchaeaSky #MicrobiomeSky
Reposted by Freya Harrison
We're advertising for a bacteriology technician and a post-doc to work on AI-guided antibiotic development as part of a large multidisciplinary Fleming Initiative project:
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
Description
Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities ment...
www.imperial.ac.uk
December 3, 2025 at 7:23 AM
We're advertising for a bacteriology technician and a post-doc to work on AI-guided antibiotic development as part of a large multidisciplinary Fleming Initiative project:
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
Reposted by Freya Harrison
This afternoon at 3pm I'm doing this - come along and ask questions or help me answer others' questions. Please and thank you :)
AMA - working in Science Communication #scicomm
www.reddit.com/r/UKJobs/com...
(if no Reddit a/c use docs.google.com/document/d/1... to ask Qns)
AMA - working in Science Communication #scicomm
www.reddit.com/r/UKJobs/com...
(if no Reddit a/c use docs.google.com/document/d/1... to ask Qns)
From the UKJobs community on Reddit: AMA - working in Science Communication ('scicomm')
Explore this post and more from the UKJobs community
www.reddit.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:54 PM
This afternoon at 3pm I'm doing this - come along and ask questions or help me answer others' questions. Please and thank you :)
AMA - working in Science Communication #scicomm
www.reddit.com/r/UKJobs/com...
(if no Reddit a/c use docs.google.com/document/d/1... to ask Qns)
AMA - working in Science Communication #scicomm
www.reddit.com/r/UKJobs/com...
(if no Reddit a/c use docs.google.com/document/d/1... to ask Qns)
Congratulations to the latest new Dr in the house, @microbescience.bsky.social! 🍾
December 11, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Congratulations to the latest new Dr in the house, @microbescience.bsky.social! 🍾
A very - ahem - groovy talk by @georgiaisom.bsky.social: the protein YhdP spans the E. coli periplasm and transports phospholipids to the OM via a hydrophobic groove along its length. Impressive mix of computational & wet lab work www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Phospholipid Transport Across the Bacterial Periplasm Through the Envelope-spanning Bridge YhdP
The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria provides a formidable barrier, essential for both pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance. Biogenesis o…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:27 PM
A very - ahem - groovy talk by @georgiaisom.bsky.social: the protein YhdP spans the E. coli periplasm and transports phospholipids to the OM via a hydrophobic groove along its length. Impressive mix of computational & wet lab work www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Congrats to @kadeayomikun.bsky.social, who has been selected as a junior reviewer for @amiposts.bsky.social's journal Letters in Applied Microbiology! A fab scheme that trains & mentors ECRs #MicroSky
December 9, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Congrats to @kadeayomikun.bsky.social, who has been selected as a junior reviewer for @amiposts.bsky.social's journal Letters in Applied Microbiology! A fab scheme that trains & mentors ECRs #MicroSky
Another new Dr in the house! Massive congratulations to @nreddy.bsky.social 🥳 Thanks to @sebperrier.bsky.social for the continuing teamwork on antimicrobial polymers & excellent PhD students, and to @correlab.bsky.social and @profjamesmason.bsky.social for examining. #MicroSky
December 8, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Another new Dr in the house! Massive congratulations to @nreddy.bsky.social 🥳 Thanks to @sebperrier.bsky.social for the continuing teamwork on antimicrobial polymers & excellent PhD students, and to @correlab.bsky.social and @profjamesmason.bsky.social for examining. #MicroSky
Reposted by Freya Harrison
We are happy to announce there will be a free crèche available at Annual Conference 2026 for children of all registered delegates. Learn how to register your child for the crèche: microb.io/48tq0w8
#Microbio26
#Microbio26
December 6, 2025 at 12:01 PM
We are happy to announce there will be a free crèche available at Annual Conference 2026 for children of all registered delegates. Learn how to register your child for the crèche: microb.io/48tq0w8
#Microbio26
#Microbio26
Reposted by Freya Harrison
Really pleased to say we're able to advertise a fully funded PhD studentship supported by the MRC AIM DTP. Smoke and Microbes! Impact of Smoking, Vaping and Pollution on the Respiratory Microbiome www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Smoke and Microbes: impact of smoking, vaping and pollution on the respiratory microbiome at University of Birmingham on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Smoke and Microbes: impact of smoking, vaping and pollution on the respiratory microbiome at University of Birmingham, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Really pleased to say we're able to advertise a fully funded PhD studentship supported by the MRC AIM DTP. Smoke and Microbes! Impact of Smoking, Vaping and Pollution on the Respiratory Microbiome www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Freya Harrison
New post by me on #MITPressReader @mitpress.bsky.social
On the 100th anniversary of the #ScopesMonkeyTrial
the ways we depict #evolution can still give an erroneous progressive view (that evolution leads to humans or ‘increased complexity’).
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/is-our-pictu...
On the 100th anniversary of the #ScopesMonkeyTrial
the ways we depict #evolution can still give an erroneous progressive view (that evolution leads to humans or ‘increased complexity’).
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/is-our-pictu...
December 1, 2025 at 5:56 PM
New post by me on #MITPressReader @mitpress.bsky.social
On the 100th anniversary of the #ScopesMonkeyTrial
the ways we depict #evolution can still give an erroneous progressive view (that evolution leads to humans or ‘increased complexity’).
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/is-our-pictu...
On the 100th anniversary of the #ScopesMonkeyTrial
the ways we depict #evolution can still give an erroneous progressive view (that evolution leads to humans or ‘increased complexity’).
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/is-our-pictu...
Christ on a bike, this is worse than timewasting, it's downright offensive.
December 1, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Christ on a bike, this is worse than timewasting, it's downright offensive.
Lottie hasn’t got the message about antibiotic stewardship, & is resisting completion of her co-amoxiclav course. The pink stains are from an attempt to smear it on her, in the hope she‘d lick it all off. Our vet, OTOH, was super keen to talk about stewardship & her prescribing decision process! 💜
November 30, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Lottie hasn’t got the message about antibiotic stewardship, & is resisting completion of her co-amoxiclav course. The pink stains are from an attempt to smear it on her, in the hope she‘d lick it all off. Our vet, OTOH, was super keen to talk about stewardship & her prescribing decision process! 💜
Congratulations to our poster prize winners at @bsacandjac.bsky.social #AntibioticResistance & Mechanisms meeting 🎉 #MicroSky
November 28, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Congratulations to our poster prize winners at @bsacandjac.bsky.social #AntibioticResistance & Mechanisms meeting 🎉 #MicroSky