Dr. Haley Hallowell
@haleybiont.bsky.social
Post-doc in the @SuezLab at Johns Hopkins — Interested in all things Virome (gut and beyond), Viral-Host Co-evolution, and cool computational methods to study them!
🐶 mom 💖💜💙
she/her
Views are my own ✨
🐶 mom 💖💜💙
she/her
Views are my own ✨
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
It's increasingly clear that commensal viruses play important roles in human health, but how do you study them?
Our review "Tools and approaches to study the human gut virome: from the bench to bioinformatics" is out today in mSystems! journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
@haleybiont.bsky.social
Our review "Tools and approaches to study the human gut virome: from the bench to bioinformatics" is out today in mSystems! journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
@haleybiont.bsky.social
February 4, 2026 at 4:05 PM
It's increasingly clear that commensal viruses play important roles in human health, but how do you study them?
Our review "Tools and approaches to study the human gut virome: from the bench to bioinformatics" is out today in mSystems! journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
@haleybiont.bsky.social
Our review "Tools and approaches to study the human gut virome: from the bench to bioinformatics" is out today in mSystems! journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
@haleybiont.bsky.social
Super excited to share my latest publication with Justin Malogan and @suez.bsky.social , my love letter to viromics! 🦠 Here, we discuss computational and wet lab methods to study the gut virome and how they can be used together
But why is this synergy so important?
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
But why is this synergy so important?
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Tools and approaches to study the human gut virome: from the bench to bioinformatics | mSystems
The human gut microbiome is a complex community of bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa,
and viruses that reside within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (1). Notably, much of the literature regarding the...
journals.asm.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Super excited to share my latest publication with Justin Malogan and @suez.bsky.social , my love letter to viromics! 🦠 Here, we discuss computational and wet lab methods to study the gut virome and how they can be used together
But why is this synergy so important?
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
But why is this synergy so important?
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
Born #OnThisDay in 1922, Esther Lederberg was the first to isolate the lambda phage in 1951. She characterised the lysogenic phase, whereby the phage are able to integrate into the bacterial genome, staying dormant. This discovery made them a model tool of study, leading to many more breakthroughs.
December 18, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Born #OnThisDay in 1922, Esther Lederberg was the first to isolate the lambda phage in 1951. She characterised the lysogenic phase, whereby the phage are able to integrate into the bacterial genome, staying dormant. This discovery made them a model tool of study, leading to many more breakthroughs.
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
Acting CDER Director Tracy Beth Høeg is not wasting any time ensuring that babies are as vulnerable as possible to preventable diseases that kill them.
Now she's going after preventive RSV meds based on unverified claims from an anti-vax blogger.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Now she's going after preventive RSV meds based on unverified claims from an anti-vax blogger.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Exclusive: US FDA launches fresh safety scrutiny of approved RSV therapies for infants
U.S. health regulators informed senior executives at Merck, Sanofi and AstraZeneca last week that their approved protective RSV treatments for infants would face fresh safety scrutiny following concer...
www.reuters.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Acting CDER Director Tracy Beth Høeg is not wasting any time ensuring that babies are as vulnerable as possible to preventable diseases that kill them.
Now she's going after preventive RSV meds based on unverified claims from an anti-vax blogger.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Now she's going after preventive RSV meds based on unverified claims from an anti-vax blogger.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
Excited to share new work from @cultivarium.bsky.social on genetic tools (plasmids, inducible promoters, transposases, + more) for Sporosarcina pasteurii.
S. pasteurii is used commercially for biocement, controlling road dust, and stabilizing soils, but had no prior published genetics:
S. pasteurii is used commercially for biocement, controlling road dust, and stabilizing soils, but had no prior published genetics:
December 8, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Excited to share new work from @cultivarium.bsky.social on genetic tools (plasmids, inducible promoters, transposases, + more) for Sporosarcina pasteurii.
S. pasteurii is used commercially for biocement, controlling road dust, and stabilizing soils, but had no prior published genetics:
S. pasteurii is used commercially for biocement, controlling road dust, and stabilizing soils, but had no prior published genetics:
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
Come for the compelling science, stay for the gorgeous pictures of assembly graphs.
(COI: I'm a co-author ;)
(COI: I'm a co-author ;)
100%, both ONT and PacBio (although most of what we do is not marine / streamlined genome). We just published a specific study of soil metag short- vs long-read, and we see that, among other things, long-reads assemble regions too complex for short reads academic.oup.com/nargab/artic...
Comparison of short-read and long-read metagenome assemblies in a natural soil community highlights systematic bias in recovery of high-diversity populations
Abstract. Comparisons of long-read and short-read (meta)genome assemblies typically show that short-read sequence assemblies are less error-prone, but stru
academic.oup.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Come for the compelling science, stay for the gorgeous pictures of assembly graphs.
(COI: I'm a co-author ;)
(COI: I'm a co-author ;)
What is your favorite gut microbiome paper that started with a simple question but ended with super cool results? Drop them below 🥰
December 8, 2025 at 2:52 PM
What is your favorite gut microbiome paper that started with a simple question but ended with super cool results? Drop them below 🥰
The tension between me and this chocolate chip sourdough i stress baked is 👀🥵
December 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The tension between me and this chocolate chip sourdough i stress baked is 👀🥵
and there it is
Oof, a brutal exchange for the defense.
The judge asks if they can point out a single grant that is used to "support unlawful discrimination," as the NIH alleges in its termination letters.
The defense says it can't.
The judge asks if they can point out a single grant that is used to "support unlawful discrimination," as the NIH alleges in its termination letters.
The defense says it can't.
June 16, 2025 at 5:46 PM
and there it is
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
🧬🌽 Happy Transposon Day! 🌽🧬
Today we celebrate the birthday of Barbara McClintock - scientist extraordinaire and discoverer of jumping genes. Still the only woman to have an unshared Nobel Prize in the biomedical sciences #TransposonDay2025
Today we celebrate the birthday of Barbara McClintock - scientist extraordinaire and discoverer of jumping genes. Still the only woman to have an unshared Nobel Prize in the biomedical sciences #TransposonDay2025
June 16, 2025 at 3:14 PM
🧬🌽 Happy Transposon Day! 🌽🧬
Today we celebrate the birthday of Barbara McClintock - scientist extraordinaire and discoverer of jumping genes. Still the only woman to have an unshared Nobel Prize in the biomedical sciences #TransposonDay2025
Today we celebrate the birthday of Barbara McClintock - scientist extraordinaire and discoverer of jumping genes. Still the only woman to have an unshared Nobel Prize in the biomedical sciences #TransposonDay2025
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
Habemus paper! Our story on integron-encoded anti-phage defenses is now out in @science.org! 16 new systems, small versions of known ones, and a lot more in this highly-collaborative study.
Many thanks to everyone involved, especially my supervisor @epcrocha.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/bapt...
Many thanks to everyone involved, especially my supervisor @epcrocha.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/bapt...
White smoke, we have a new pope and also 16 new anti-phages systems in sedentary integrons (SCIs) !
In collaboration with the Rocha lab, we show in our new paper that cassettes of these large platforms encode many known anti-phage defenses, and uncovered 16 new ones.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
In collaboration with the Rocha lab, we show in our new paper that cassettes of these large platforms encode many known anti-phage defenses, and uncovered 16 new ones.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Sedentary chromosomal integrons as biobanks of bacterial antiphage defense systems
Integrons are genetic systems that drive bacterial adaptation by acquiring, expressing, and shuffling gene cassettes. While mobile integrons are well known for spreading antibiotic resistance genes, t...
www.science.org
May 9, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Habemus paper! Our story on integron-encoded anti-phage defenses is now out in @science.org! 16 new systems, small versions of known ones, and a lot more in this highly-collaborative study.
Many thanks to everyone involved, especially my supervisor @epcrocha.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/bapt...
Many thanks to everyone involved, especially my supervisor @epcrocha.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/bapt...
Needless to say my lab will never allow me to miss a group photo 💚 😂 @suez.bsky.social
May 9, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Needless to say my lab will never allow me to miss a group photo 💚 😂 @suez.bsky.social
Pls enjoy this little Prothonotary warbler that was showing off this morning 🐤
May 4, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Pls enjoy this little Prothonotary warbler that was showing off this morning 🐤
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
"That telomere phages are so prevalent means that they are a selective force, one that we know little about. We now want to understand how the telomere-toxin is secreted and also understand how this ‘telocin’ wheedles its way into unsuspecting bacterial neighbors”
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Telomere bacteriophages are widespread and equip their bacterial hosts with potent interbacterial weapons
Klebsiella host strains infected with telomere phages can grow to be the dominant lineage in mixed populations.
www.science.org
May 1, 2025 at 10:04 PM
"That telomere phages are so prevalent means that they are a selective force, one that we know little about. We now want to understand how the telomere-toxin is secreted and also understand how this ‘telocin’ wheedles its way into unsuspecting bacterial neighbors”
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
A phage therapy using naturally occurring bacteryophages that not only kill but also selects for less resistant bacteria, shows promise in Cystic Fibrosis patients infected with drug resistant Pseudomonas. Kudos Dr. Chen, Stanley, Turner and Koff!!!
#ScienceMatters
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#ScienceMatters
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Personalized inhaled bacteriophage therapy for treatment of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis - Nature Medicine
A novel personalized phage therapy strategy that selects phages for a predicted evolutionary trade-off may represent a viable alternative approach for the treatment of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria...
www.nature.com
April 30, 2025 at 12:53 AM
A phage therapy using naturally occurring bacteryophages that not only kill but also selects for less resistant bacteria, shows promise in Cystic Fibrosis patients infected with drug resistant Pseudomonas. Kudos Dr. Chen, Stanley, Turner and Koff!!!
#ScienceMatters
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#ScienceMatters
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
Do non-nutritive sweeteners alter the human microbiome? And why is this question important?
Check out our new review in Immunometabolism, spearheaded by @kcrakes.bsky.social, Lauren Questell & @subah.bsky.social and quick 🧵👇:
journals.lww.com/immunometabo...
Check out our new review in Immunometabolism, spearheaded by @kcrakes.bsky.social, Lauren Questell & @subah.bsky.social and quick 🧵👇:
journals.lww.com/immunometabo...
April 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Do non-nutritive sweeteners alter the human microbiome? And why is this question important?
Check out our new review in Immunometabolism, spearheaded by @kcrakes.bsky.social, Lauren Questell & @subah.bsky.social and quick 🧵👇:
journals.lww.com/immunometabo...
Check out our new review in Immunometabolism, spearheaded by @kcrakes.bsky.social, Lauren Questell & @subah.bsky.social and quick 🧵👇:
journals.lww.com/immunometabo...
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
Just signed up to be a mentor for the National Summer Undergraduate Research Project #NSURP2025 #nolabnoproblem www.nsurp.org - if matched, this will be the third year we host a @nsurp.bsky.social scholar in the lab and @haleybiont.bsky.social and I are excited to meet them!
NSURP.org
National Summer Undergraduate Research Project
www.nsurp.org
April 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Just signed up to be a mentor for the National Summer Undergraduate Research Project #NSURP2025 #nolabnoproblem www.nsurp.org - if matched, this will be the third year we host a @nsurp.bsky.social scholar in the lab and @haleybiont.bsky.social and I are excited to meet them!
Maybe because I'm still early in my career, but I feel *so honored* when someone i mentor asks me to write a letter for them!
March 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Maybe because I'm still early in my career, but I feel *so honored* when someone i mentor asks me to write a letter for them!
Had so much presenting at @camri-igs.bsky.social this year! Featuring some phree phage swag!! 🦠
March 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Had so much presenting at @camri-igs.bsky.social this year! Featuring some phree phage swag!! 🦠
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
Super proud of our postdocs @kcrakes.bsky.social & @haleybiont.bsky.social for their outstanding talks at @camri-igs.bsky.social Mid-Atlantic #Microbiome Meeting, featuring exciting science from all over the region + keynotes by Sue Lynch (UCSF) & @benwolfe.bsky.social (Tufts) + phage swag! 😎 🦠
March 21, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Super proud of our postdocs @kcrakes.bsky.social & @haleybiont.bsky.social for their outstanding talks at @camri-igs.bsky.social Mid-Atlantic #Microbiome Meeting, featuring exciting science from all over the region + keynotes by Sue Lynch (UCSF) & @benwolfe.bsky.social (Tufts) + phage swag! 😎 🦠
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
I try to maintain a professional presence on this app and keep personal updates to a minimum, but I'm proud to announce @haleybiont.bsky.social and I became Discus grandparents over the weekend!
March 17, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I try to maintain a professional presence on this app and keep personal updates to a minimum, but I'm proud to announce @haleybiont.bsky.social and I became Discus grandparents over the weekend!
Im so proud of you Annie for using your voice! It matters! 🩵
My op-ed about the importance of NIH funding was published in my hometown newspaper last week! @sciencehomecoming.bsky.social
Check it out 👇🏻
www.knoxnews.com/story/opinio...
Check it out 👇🏻
www.knoxnews.com/story/opinio...
Federal funding for research saves lives. Let’s not stop now | Opinion
The author highlights the real-life impacts on the residents of Knoxville and East Tennessee from Trump administration cuts to the NIH.
www.knoxnews.com
March 9, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Im so proud of you Annie for using your voice! It matters! 🩵
Reposted by Dr. Haley Hallowell
Big article about the protests tomorrow, which mentions that they were organized on Bluesky!
Hit by ‘Gut Punches,’ Scientists Band Together to Protest Trump (Gift Article)
Stand Up for Science aims to revive a movement that started in 2017, but with an all-new team and a more focused vision.
www.nytimes.com
March 6, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Big article about the protests tomorrow, which mentions that they were organized on Bluesky!
The way I watched the same men who said a woman was too emotional to be president throw absolute *temper tantrums* in the Oval Office yesterday 🪦
so anyway happy Women’s history month 👩🏻🔬
so anyway happy Women’s history month 👩🏻🔬
March 1, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The way I watched the same men who said a woman was too emotional to be president throw absolute *temper tantrums* in the Oval Office yesterday 🪦
so anyway happy Women’s history month 👩🏻🔬
so anyway happy Women’s history month 👩🏻🔬