Helmholtz Institute Würzburg
@helmholtz-hiri.bsky.social
The Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) in Würzburg, Germany is the first institution of its kind worldwide to combine ribonucleic acid (RNA) research with infection biology.
https://www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/imprint/
https://www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/imprint/
Reposted by Helmholtz Institute Würzburg
Join the HZI as a Junior Research Group Leader at @helmholtz-hiri.bsky.social or @helmholtzhips.bsky.social!
We’re seeking exceptional postdocs for the @helmholtz.de Investigator Groups program. Shape cutting-edge research in infection biology & apply by Feb 15!
jobs.helmholtz-hzi.de/job/Saarbr%C...
We’re seeking exceptional postdocs for the @helmholtz.de Investigator Groups program. Shape cutting-edge research in infection biology & apply by Feb 15!
jobs.helmholtz-hzi.de/job/Saarbr%C...
January 29, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Join the HZI as a Junior Research Group Leader at @helmholtz-hiri.bsky.social or @helmholtzhips.bsky.social!
We’re seeking exceptional postdocs for the @helmholtz.de Investigator Groups program. Shape cutting-edge research in infection biology & apply by Feb 15!
jobs.helmholtz-hzi.de/job/Saarbr%C...
We’re seeking exceptional postdocs for the @helmholtz.de Investigator Groups program. Shape cutting-edge research in infection biology & apply by Feb 15!
jobs.helmholtz-hzi.de/job/Saarbr%C...
Reposted by Helmholtz Institute Würzburg
🔔HIRI has opened a new call to recruit Group Leaders. If you are interested in opening an RNA Biology and Infection lab, join us! Deadline: February 15. More info here 👇
January 28, 2026 at 3:06 PM
🔔HIRI has opened a new call to recruit Group Leaders. If you are interested in opening an RNA Biology and Infection lab, join us! Deadline: February 15. More info here 👇
🚨 Group Leader Opportunity Alert! 🚀
Apply by February 15 and join us in Würzburg. ⬇️
Apply by February 15 and join us in Würzburg. ⬇️
We are looking for a junior group leader in RNA biology to join us in Würzburg at the @helmholtz-hiri.bsky.social !
A generous funding package, a great collaborative environment, and a beautiful city are all included :)
Deadline for application is Feb 15; more information below 👇
A generous funding package, a great collaborative environment, and a beautiful city are all included :)
Deadline for application is Feb 15; more information below 👇
January 28, 2026 at 11:52 AM
🚨 Group Leader Opportunity Alert! 🚀
Apply by February 15 and join us in Würzburg. ⬇️
Apply by February 15 and join us in Würzburg. ⬇️
Learn more: www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
Antibiotic resistance: Tracking intracellular pathogens
New HIRI group leader and JMU junior professor Camilla Ciolli Mattioli studies the survival strategies of bacteria in host cells
www.helmholtz-hiri.de
January 27, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Learn more: www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
At the same time, she holds a junior professorship at @uni-wuerzburg.de, for which she received her certificate of appointment today from JMU Vice President Anja Schlömerkemper. We wish her a great start and many exciting discoveries ahead! 🔬🧬
January 27, 2026 at 4:08 PM
At the same time, she holds a junior professorship at @uni-wuerzburg.de, for which she received her certificate of appointment today from JMU Vice President Anja Schlömerkemper. We wish her a great start and many exciting discoveries ahead! 🔬🧬
🎉 Welcome to HIRI! 🎉
@cciollimattioli.bsky.social will start her new research group “Systems Microbiology of Intracellular Pathogens” at HIRI in February. Together with her team, she will investigate the molecular mechanisms that shape interactions between intracellular pathogens & their host cells.
@cciollimattioli.bsky.social will start her new research group “Systems Microbiology of Intracellular Pathogens” at HIRI in February. Together with her team, she will investigate the molecular mechanisms that shape interactions between intracellular pathogens & their host cells.
January 27, 2026 at 4:08 PM
🎉 Welcome to HIRI! 🎉
@cciollimattioli.bsky.social will start her new research group “Systems Microbiology of Intracellular Pathogens” at HIRI in February. Together with her team, she will investigate the molecular mechanisms that shape interactions between intracellular pathogens & their host cells.
@cciollimattioli.bsky.social will start her new research group “Systems Microbiology of Intracellular Pathogens” at HIRI in February. Together with her team, she will investigate the molecular mechanisms that shape interactions between intracellular pathogens & their host cells.
Reposted by Helmholtz Institute Würzburg
#NewResearch
Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) can cause bacterial prostatitis, a prevalent and recurrent infection with high morbidity in men. Here they show that UPEC invades luminal prostate cells via a bacterial FimH and host PPAP receptor interaction
#microsky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) can cause bacterial prostatitis, a prevalent and recurrent infection with high morbidity in men. Here they show that UPEC invades luminal prostate cells via a bacterial FimH and host PPAP receptor interaction
#microsky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
January 9, 2026 at 11:29 AM
#NewResearch
Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) can cause bacterial prostatitis, a prevalent and recurrent infection with high morbidity in men. Here they show that UPEC invades luminal prostate cells via a bacterial FimH and host PPAP receptor interaction
#microsky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) can cause bacterial prostatitis, a prevalent and recurrent infection with high morbidity in men. Here they show that UPEC invades luminal prostate cells via a bacterial FimH and host PPAP receptor interaction
#microsky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Helmholtz Institute Würzburg
Our first paper is out today in @natmicrobiol.nature.com!
We introduce a prostate organoid model and show that UPEC invades prostate cells via FimH binding to the prostate-specific protein PAPP. A step toward targeted therapies against bacterial prostatitis. 🎉
#UTI #UPEC #Organoids #AMR
We introduce a prostate organoid model and show that UPEC invades prostate cells via FimH binding to the prostate-specific protein PAPP. A step toward targeted therapies against bacterial prostatitis. 🎉
#UTI #UPEC #Organoids #AMR
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli invade luminal prostate cells via FimH–PPAP receptor binding - Nature Microbiology
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli infection of a murine prostate organoid model reveals a bacterial FimH–host prostatic acid phosphatase adhesin-receptor interaction enabling invasion and replication wit...
www.nature.com
January 8, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Our first paper is out today in @natmicrobiol.nature.com!
We introduce a prostate organoid model and show that UPEC invades prostate cells via FimH binding to the prostate-specific protein PAPP. A step toward targeted therapies against bacterial prostatitis. 🎉
#UTI #UPEC #Organoids #AMR
We introduce a prostate organoid model and show that UPEC invades prostate cells via FimH binding to the prostate-specific protein PAPP. A step toward targeted therapies against bacterial prostatitis. 🎉
#UTI #UPEC #Organoids #AMR
Check out the latest paper by @carmen-aguilar.bsky.social, which also involved our #HIRI group leader @emmanuel-saliba.bsky.social and his lab. It was recently published in @natmicrobiol.nature.com: doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Congratulations to all authors! 👏🎉
Congratulations to all authors! 👏🎉
January 15, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Check out the latest paper by @carmen-aguilar.bsky.social, which also involved our #HIRI group leader @emmanuel-saliba.bsky.social and his lab. It was recently published in @natmicrobiol.nature.com: doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Congratulations to all authors! 👏🎉
Congratulations to all authors! 👏🎉
⏰ Last call! Deadline: Jan 11, 2026
We are #HIRIng! Open positions range from scientific coordinator to PhD & postdoc roles in various research areas. 🧬🦠
Interested in being part of the international & interdisciplinary research environment at HIRI?
👉 Apply now: www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/jobs-tale...
We are #HIRIng! Open positions range from scientific coordinator to PhD & postdoc roles in various research areas. 🧬🦠
Interested in being part of the international & interdisciplinary research environment at HIRI?
👉 Apply now: www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/jobs-tale...
Working at HIRI
At the HIRI, we do not just value excellent research. Short distances, an open door policy, and a good working atmosphere—this is what distinguishes us from others. Have a look at our current job…
www.helmholtz-hiri.de
January 9, 2026 at 1:31 PM
⏰ Last call! Deadline: Jan 11, 2026
We are #HIRIng! Open positions range from scientific coordinator to PhD & postdoc roles in various research areas. 🧬🦠
Interested in being part of the international & interdisciplinary research environment at HIRI?
👉 Apply now: www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/jobs-tale...
We are #HIRIng! Open positions range from scientific coordinator to PhD & postdoc roles in various research areas. 🧬🦠
Interested in being part of the international & interdisciplinary research environment at HIRI?
👉 Apply now: www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/jobs-tale...
Reposted by Helmholtz Institute Würzburg
A fantastic achievement from Carmen's lab. Very happy to have supported the study.
Our first paper is out today in @natmicrobiol.nature.com!
We introduce a prostate organoid model and show that UPEC invades prostate cells via FimH binding to the prostate-specific protein PAPP. A step toward targeted therapies against bacterial prostatitis. 🎉
#UTI #UPEC #Organoids #AMR
We introduce a prostate organoid model and show that UPEC invades prostate cells via FimH binding to the prostate-specific protein PAPP. A step toward targeted therapies against bacterial prostatitis. 🎉
#UTI #UPEC #Organoids #AMR
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli invade luminal prostate cells via FimH–PPAP receptor binding - Nature Microbiology
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli infection of a murine prostate organoid model reveals a bacterial FimH–host prostatic acid phosphatase adhesin-receptor interaction enabling invasion and replication wit...
www.nature.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:46 AM
A fantastic achievement from Carmen's lab. Very happy to have supported the study.
Reposted by Helmholtz Institute Würzburg
#CRISPR kann mehr als gedacht: Ein Team des @helmholtz-hiri.bsky.social hat mit Forschenden des HZI & aus den USA eine neue Nuklease entschlüsselt: In @nature.com zeigen sie, dass Cas12a3 Transfer-Ribonukleinsäuren schneidet, um infizierte Zellen lahmzulegen. www.helmholtz-hzi.de/media-center...
January 7, 2026 at 4:20 PM
#CRISPR kann mehr als gedacht: Ein Team des @helmholtz-hiri.bsky.social hat mit Forschenden des HZI & aus den USA eine neue Nuklease entschlüsselt: In @nature.com zeigen sie, dass Cas12a3 Transfer-Ribonukleinsäuren schneidet, um infizierte Zellen lahmzulegen. www.helmholtz-hzi.de/media-center...
Reposted by Helmholtz Institute Würzburg
Our paper is out! Hiding in plain sight among Cas12a nucleases, Cas12a3 cleaves not its RNA target but the 3′ ends of tRNA. Huge thanks to all who made this possible, especially the Beisel lab, Biao & Dirk for the structure, & @sebastianglatt.bsky.social for all things tRNA. doi.org/10.1038/s415...
RNA-triggered Cas12a3 cleaves tRNA tails to execute bacterial immunity - Nature
Cas12a3 nucleases constitute a distinct clade of type V CRISPR–Cas bacterial immune systems that preferentially cleave the 3′ tails of tRNAs after recognition of target RNA to induce growth arres...
www.nature.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Our paper is out! Hiding in plain sight among Cas12a nucleases, Cas12a3 cleaves not its RNA target but the 3′ ends of tRNA. Huge thanks to all who made this possible, especially the Beisel lab, Biao & Dirk for the structure, & @sebastianglatt.bsky.social for all things tRNA. doi.org/10.1038/s415...
The team published its findings today in the journal @nature.com: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Congrats to all authors! 👏🎉
Congrats to all authors! 👏🎉
RNA-triggered Cas12a3 cleaves tRNA tails to execute bacterial immunity - Nature
Cas12a3 nucleases constitute a distinct clade of type V CRISPR–Cas bacterial immune systems that preferentially cleave the 3′ tails of tRNAs after recognition of target RNA to induce growth arrest…
www.nature.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:12 PM
The team published its findings today in the journal @nature.com: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Congrats to all authors! 👏🎉
Congrats to all authors! 👏🎉
In cooperation with @helmholtzhzi.bsky.social & @utahstate.bsky.social, the team discovered a novel CRISPR defense mechanism: Unlike known nucleases, Cas12a3 specifically destroys transfer ribonucleic acids that are vital for protein production to shut down infected cells.
January 7, 2026 at 4:12 PM
In cooperation with @helmholtzhzi.bsky.social & @utahstate.bsky.social, the team discovered a novel CRISPR defense mechanism: Unlike known nucleases, Cas12a3 specifically destroys transfer ribonucleic acids that are vital for protein production to shut down infected cells.
The #CRISPR “gene scissors” have become an important basis for genome-editing technologies in many fields. 🧬✂️ A team from the #HIRI in Würzburg has now demonstrated that these CRISPR-Cas systems are even more versatile than previously thought. Read more: www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
Beyond gene scissors: New CRISPR mechanism discovered
Team from Würzburg, Braunschweig, and the US identifies Cas12a3 nuclease showing precise activity | Study just published in Nature
www.helmholtz-hiri.de
January 7, 2026 at 4:12 PM
The #CRISPR “gene scissors” have become an important basis for genome-editing technologies in many fields. 🧬✂️ A team from the #HIRI in Würzburg has now demonstrated that these CRISPR-Cas systems are even more versatile than previously thought. Read more: www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
Time is running out... ⌛
Don’t miss your chance and apply by January 11! ⬇️
Don’t miss your chance and apply by January 11! ⬇️
New Year, New Career Opportunities: Join the #HIRI in 2026! 🍀
📢 We’re #HIRIng a #ScientificCoordinator. If you’re looking for an exciting role at the intersection of science and management, apply by January 11, 2026. ⬇️
www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/jobs-tale...
📢 We’re #HIRIng a #ScientificCoordinator. If you’re looking for an exciting role at the intersection of science and management, apply by January 11, 2026. ⬇️
www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/jobs-tale...
Working at HIRI
At the HIRI, we do not just value excellent research. Short distances, an open door policy, and a good working atmosphere—this is what distinguishes us from others. Have a look at our current job…
www.helmholtz-hiri.de
January 7, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Time is running out... ⌛
Don’t miss your chance and apply by January 11! ⬇️
Don’t miss your chance and apply by January 11! ⬇️
Congrats to all authors! 👏
January 7, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Congrats to all authors! 👏
Check out the latest publication from the @westermannlab.bsky.social. Just out in @narjournal.bsky.social! 🔥👇
3′UTR-derived small RNA couples acid resistance to metabolic reprogramming of Salmonella within macrophages url: academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
3′UTR-derived small RNA couples acid resistance to metabolic reprogramming of Salmonella within macrophages
Abstract. Acid resistance is crucial for enterobacteria to withstand host acidic environments during infection, including the gastrointestinal tract and ma
academic.oup.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Check out the latest publication from the @westermannlab.bsky.social. Just out in @narjournal.bsky.social! 🔥👇
Reposted by Helmholtz Institute Würzburg
RIL-seq boosts the study of sRNAs. Here comes its first application to intracellular bacteria. Plus, 10 years after its characterization, we now present an RNA sponge of Salmonella PinT.
Congrats to @kooshapour.bsky.social & great collaboration w/ @jorg-vogel-lab.bsky.social!
doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
Congrats to @kooshapour.bsky.social & great collaboration w/ @jorg-vogel-lab.bsky.social!
doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
Intramacrophage RIL-seq uncovers an RNA antagonist of the Salmonella virulence-associated small RNA PinT
Abstract. Salmonella virulence chiefly relies upon two major pathogenicity islands, SPI-1 and SPI-2, which enable host cell invasion and intracellular surv
doi.org
December 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
RIL-seq boosts the study of sRNAs. Here comes its first application to intracellular bacteria. Plus, 10 years after its characterization, we now present an RNA sponge of Salmonella PinT.
Congrats to @kooshapour.bsky.social & great collaboration w/ @jorg-vogel-lab.bsky.social!
doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
Congrats to @kooshapour.bsky.social & great collaboration w/ @jorg-vogel-lab.bsky.social!
doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
Hooray! 🎉 We are celebrating Shazeb Ahmad from Redmond Smyth's laboratory, who defended his doctoral dissertation today. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement, @shazebahmad.bsky.social! Read more: www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
December 19, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Hooray! 🎉 We are celebrating Shazeb Ahmad from Redmond Smyth's laboratory, who defended his doctoral dissertation today. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement, @shazebahmad.bsky.social! Read more: www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
Congratulations to @elisebor.bsky.social, who successfully defended her doctoral dissertation today. In the @westermannlab.bsky.social, she investigated the morphological heterogeneity of B. theta using a low-input RNA-seq protocol. Well done, Elise! 👏🎓
www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
December 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Congratulations to @elisebor.bsky.social, who successfully defended her doctoral dissertation today. In the @westermannlab.bsky.social, she investigated the morphological heterogeneity of B. theta using a low-input RNA-seq protocol. Well done, Elise! 👏🎓
www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
Experts increasingly use machine learning to predict antibiotic resistance from pathogen genomes, but results need caution: @lbarquist.bsky.social, @yanyingyu.bsky.social & @nwheeler443.bsky.social showed that these models are often less reliable than assumed.🦠💊 www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
Data Bias Reduces Reliability of AI Models Predicting Antimicrobial Resistance
HIRI research team demonstrates overoptimism of common methods and presents more realistic approach | Current study in PLOS Biology
www.helmholtz-hiri.de
December 18, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Experts increasingly use machine learning to predict antibiotic resistance from pathogen genomes, but results need caution: @lbarquist.bsky.social, @yanyingyu.bsky.social & @nwheeler443.bsky.social showed that these models are often less reliable than assumed.🦠💊 www.helmholtz-hiri.de/en/newsroom/...
Reposted by Helmholtz Institute Würzburg
Our preprint on predicting drug resistance in bacteria is now out in @plosbiology.org. We show ignoring phylogenetic structure in genome collections leads to overly optimistic evaluations of machine learning methods for AMR prediction. Work from @yanyingyu.bsky.social with @nwheeler443.bsky.social.
Biased sampling driven by bacterial population structure confounds machine learning prediction of antimicrobial resistance
Machine learning methods have emerged as promising tools to predict antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and uncover resistance determinants from genomic data. This study shows that sampling biases driven b...
journals.plos.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Our preprint on predicting drug resistance in bacteria is now out in @plosbiology.org. We show ignoring phylogenetic structure in genome collections leads to overly optimistic evaluations of machine learning methods for AMR prediction. Work from @yanyingyu.bsky.social with @nwheeler443.bsky.social.