Mark Mandel
@markjmandel.bsky.social
Bacterial geneticist focused on microbe-animal communication. Professor UW-Madison. Messages are my personal views.
Congratulations to all of the new AAM Fellows! Many many friends & colleagues on the list, but especially excited for Patty Champion and JD Sauer! @sauerlab.bsky.social @uwmadisonmmi.bsky.social @uwmadisonmdtp.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/asm....
The American Academy of Microbiology proudly announces the election of 63 fellows to the Class of 2026. Over the past 50 years, the Academy has elected +2,700 distinguished scientists. This year, the new fellows hail from 14 countries. Read press release: asm.social/2OC
February 13, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Congratulations to all of the new AAM Fellows! Many many friends & colleagues on the list, but especially excited for Patty Champion and JD Sauer! @sauerlab.bsky.social @uwmadisonmmi.bsky.social @uwmadisonmdtp.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/asm....
Reposted by Mark Mandel
The American Academy of Microbiology proudly announces the election of 63 fellows to the Class of 2026. Over the past 50 years, the Academy has elected +2,700 distinguished scientists. This year, the new fellows hail from 14 countries. Read press release: asm.social/2OC
February 13, 2026 at 4:48 PM
The American Academy of Microbiology proudly announces the election of 63 fellows to the Class of 2026. Over the past 50 years, the Academy has elected +2,700 distinguished scientists. This year, the new fellows hail from 14 countries. Read press release: asm.social/2OC
Reposted by Mark Mandel
🚨🍄Nancy Keller Fungal Research Published in PNAS!
“What we hope people take away from this paper is that scientists are actively studying this serious issue. We’re working hard to understand why it’s happening.”
-Nancy Keller
mmi.wisc.edu/nancy-keller...
📸: Dr. Anna Pringle
“What we hope people take away from this paper is that scientists are actively studying this serious issue. We’re working hard to understand why it’s happening.”
-Nancy Keller
mmi.wisc.edu/nancy-keller...
📸: Dr. Anna Pringle
February 12, 2026 at 3:26 PM
🚨🍄Nancy Keller Fungal Research Published in PNAS!
“What we hope people take away from this paper is that scientists are actively studying this serious issue. We’re working hard to understand why it’s happening.”
-Nancy Keller
mmi.wisc.edu/nancy-keller...
📸: Dr. Anna Pringle
“What we hope people take away from this paper is that scientists are actively studying this serious issue. We’re working hard to understand why it’s happening.”
-Nancy Keller
mmi.wisc.edu/nancy-keller...
📸: Dr. Anna Pringle
Reposted by Mark Mandel
I am seeking a postdoc to join my group at UCLA -- ideally the candidate would have some experience in either population genetics or microbes/microbiome (computational background needed). We have a range of projects and are happy to tailer to your interests. Please dm/email me if interested.
February 12, 2026 at 7:18 PM
I am seeking a postdoc to join my group at UCLA -- ideally the candidate would have some experience in either population genetics or microbes/microbiome (computational background needed). We have a range of projects and are happy to tailer to your interests. Please dm/email me if interested.
Reposted by Mark Mandel
All you want for christmas is.... transposon mutagenesis!
Our new work at @cultivarium.bsky.social screening lots of transposon vectors in lots of bacteria, from @charliegilbert.bsky.social and team.
Transposon and promoter modular parts available on Addgene (pooled library will be there soon too)
Our new work at @cultivarium.bsky.social screening lots of transposon vectors in lots of bacteria, from @charliegilbert.bsky.social and team.
Transposon and promoter modular parts available on Addgene (pooled library will be there soon too)
December 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
All you want for christmas is.... transposon mutagenesis!
Our new work at @cultivarium.bsky.social screening lots of transposon vectors in lots of bacteria, from @charliegilbert.bsky.social and team.
Transposon and promoter modular parts available on Addgene (pooled library will be there soon too)
Our new work at @cultivarium.bsky.social screening lots of transposon vectors in lots of bacteria, from @charliegilbert.bsky.social and team.
Transposon and promoter modular parts available on Addgene (pooled library will be there soon too)
Reposted by Mark Mandel
Our new paper in @natcomms.nature.com is now online-early!
We describe independent evolution of bacterial genomes of only ~50–52 kb — the smallest known outside cellular organelles — revealing striking convergence toward minimal gene sets.
🔗 doi.org/10.1038/s414...
We describe independent evolution of bacterial genomes of only ~50–52 kb — the smallest known outside cellular organelles — revealing striking convergence toward minimal gene sets.
🔗 doi.org/10.1038/s414...
February 11, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Our new paper in @natcomms.nature.com is now online-early!
We describe independent evolution of bacterial genomes of only ~50–52 kb — the smallest known outside cellular organelles — revealing striking convergence toward minimal gene sets.
🔗 doi.org/10.1038/s414...
We describe independent evolution of bacterial genomes of only ~50–52 kb — the smallest known outside cellular organelles — revealing striking convergence toward minimal gene sets.
🔗 doi.org/10.1038/s414...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
Postdoc position available in my lab! Project will focus on how the microbiome-derived metabolite butyrate shapes C. difficile fitness and pathogenesis & will build on our previous/ongoing work in this space. Apply here:
hr.wisc.edu/postdoc-and-...
hr.wisc.edu/postdoc-and-...
Postdoc, Postgrad, and Research Intern Vacancies
Browse Postoc and Research Intern vacancies at UW–Madison.
hr.wisc.edu
February 6, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Postdoc position available in my lab! Project will focus on how the microbiome-derived metabolite butyrate shapes C. difficile fitness and pathogenesis & will build on our previous/ongoing work in this space. Apply here:
hr.wisc.edu/postdoc-and-...
hr.wisc.edu/postdoc-and-...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
Seema Mattoo on Bordetella pertussis and whooping cough!
Matters Microbial,
@mattoolab.bsky.social
@markowenmartin.bsky.social
#MicroSky
Matters Microbial,
@mattoolab.bsky.social
@markowenmartin.bsky.social
#MicroSky
New from Matters Microbial— episode 123: What Whooping Cough Can Teach Us
Dr. Seema Mattoo joins @markowenmartin.bsky.social to discuss the fascinating molecular genetics of the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which can cause the human disease whooping cough. 🔗⬇️
Dr. Seema Mattoo joins @markowenmartin.bsky.social to discuss the fascinating molecular genetics of the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which can cause the human disease whooping cough. 🔗⬇️
Matters Microbial #123: What Whooping Cough Can Teach US
YouTube video by MicrobeTV
youtu.be
February 6, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Seema Mattoo on Bordetella pertussis and whooping cough!
Matters Microbial,
@mattoolab.bsky.social
@markowenmartin.bsky.social
#MicroSky
Matters Microbial,
@mattoolab.bsky.social
@markowenmartin.bsky.social
#MicroSky
Reposted by Mark Mandel
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
.@uwmadison.bsky.social’s famous version of the Statue of Liberty—appearing to be semi-submerged in Lake Mendota—is now an annual fixture of the UW Winter Carnival, running through Feb 7. Learn about the sculpture’s origins in a classic 1979 student prank.
onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/statue-of-li...
onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/statue-of-li...
Statue of Liberty 3.0 | On Wisconsin
The rise, fall, and rise of a beloved UW tradition
onwisconsin.uwalumni.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:33 PM
.@uwmadison.bsky.social’s famous version of the Statue of Liberty—appearing to be semi-submerged in Lake Mendota—is now an annual fixture of the UW Winter Carnival, running through Feb 7. Learn about the sculpture’s origins in a classic 1979 student prank.
onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/statue-of-li...
onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/statue-of-li...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
Please share: we're hiring a new tenure-track faculty member to our Department of Genetics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
faculty-einstein.icims.com/jobs/17847/a...
faculty-einstein.icims.com/jobs/17847/a...
Albert Einstein College of Medicine | Medical Education | Biomedical Research
faculty-einstein.icims.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Please share: we're hiring a new tenure-track faculty member to our Department of Genetics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
faculty-einstein.icims.com/jobs/17847/a...
faculty-einstein.icims.com/jobs/17847/a...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
Hey all, excited to share this collab w/
@shaunmckinnie.bsky.social
TL;DR we combined our expertise to develop and validate a MALDI-tims platform for screening the production of isomeric small molecules (~212 Da) directly from E coli colonies in high throughput
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
@shaunmckinnie.bsky.social
TL;DR we combined our expertise to develop and validate a MALDI-tims platform for screening the production of isomeric small molecules (~212 Da) directly from E coli colonies in high throughput
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
A high-throughput biocatalytic platform for screening isomeric kainoid natural products
Shepherd and Ramachandra et al. present a fast, chromatography-free method for resolving
isomeric products from engineered enzymes. This platform enables large-scale screening
and identifies improved ...
www.cell.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Hey all, excited to share this collab w/
@shaunmckinnie.bsky.social
TL;DR we combined our expertise to develop and validate a MALDI-tims platform for screening the production of isomeric small molecules (~212 Da) directly from E coli colonies in high throughput
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
@shaunmckinnie.bsky.social
TL;DR we combined our expertise to develop and validate a MALDI-tims platform for screening the production of isomeric small molecules (~212 Da) directly from E coli colonies in high throughput
www.cell.com/cell-reports...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
🎉Congratulations to Professor JD Sauer on Receiving the Vilas Associates Award!
mmi.wisc.edu/professor-jd...
mmi.wisc.edu/professor-jd...
February 3, 2026 at 3:47 PM
🎉Congratulations to Professor JD Sauer on Receiving the Vilas Associates Award!
mmi.wisc.edu/professor-jd...
mmi.wisc.edu/professor-jd...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
“What she told me is that (the grant) was terminated for violating guidelines that don’t exist...She told me she doesn’t even know if anyone’s working on developing the guidelines.” dailyillini.com/news-stories...
#governmentefficiency
#governmentefficiency
UI researcher loses grant funding amid NIH shakeup - The Daily Illini
A University influenza research lab lost its NIH funding after shifting federal rules on gain-of-function studies.
dailyillini.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:43 AM
“What she told me is that (the grant) was terminated for violating guidelines that don’t exist...She told me she doesn’t even know if anyone’s working on developing the guidelines.” dailyillini.com/news-stories...
#governmentefficiency
#governmentefficiency
Reposted by Mark Mandel
Why rename Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to P. alloputida🦠?
This is an excellent example of why taxonomic changes require caution. We shouldn't blindly follow rules while ignoring decades of established practice.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#microbiology @asm.org @microbiologysociety.org
This is an excellent example of why taxonomic changes require caution. We shouldn't blindly follow rules while ignoring decades of established practice.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#microbiology @asm.org @microbiologysociety.org
The disputed identity of Pseudomonas putida KT2440: when taxonomists rename your favorite microbe | mBio
Names matter; they are not mere labels. They operate as anchors of memory, social coordinates, and references of collective identity. When a name becomes established through long-term
use and broad ad...
journals.asm.org
January 27, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Why rename Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to P. alloputida🦠?
This is an excellent example of why taxonomic changes require caution. We shouldn't blindly follow rules while ignoring decades of established practice.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#microbiology @asm.org @microbiologysociety.org
This is an excellent example of why taxonomic changes require caution. We shouldn't blindly follow rules while ignoring decades of established practice.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#microbiology @asm.org @microbiologysociety.org
Congratulations to the @uwmadison.bsky.social Badgers Women's Hockey athletes headed to the Olympics! Representing multiple countries, this is the best of the USA and of Wisconsin.
January 25, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Congratulations to the @uwmadison.bsky.social Badgers Women's Hockey athletes headed to the Olympics! Representing multiple countries, this is the best of the USA and of Wisconsin.
Reposted by Mark Mandel
Excited to announce the upcoming 2026 Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity GRC and GRS meeting taking place July 12 - 17, 2026 at Waterville Valley in New Hampshire. This meeting will be chaired by yours truly and co-chaired by
@sunnyshinlab.bsky.social www.grc.org/microbial-to...
@sunnyshinlab.bsky.social www.grc.org/microbial-to...
2026 Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity Conference GRC
The 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity will be held in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. Apply today to reserve your spot.
www.grc.org
January 24, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Excited to announce the upcoming 2026 Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity GRC and GRS meeting taking place July 12 - 17, 2026 at Waterville Valley in New Hampshire. This meeting will be chaired by yours truly and co-chaired by
@sunnyshinlab.bsky.social www.grc.org/microbial-to...
@sunnyshinlab.bsky.social www.grc.org/microbial-to...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
We just released #anvio v9, "eunice" 🎉
This version represents over 2,000 changes in the codebase since v8, increasing the total number of programs in the anvi'o ecosystem to 176.
Read the release notes:
github.com/merenlab/anv...
Visit our up-to-date web page:
anvio.org
This version represents over 2,000 changes in the codebase since v8, increasing the total number of programs in the anvi'o ecosystem to 176.
Read the release notes:
github.com/merenlab/anv...
Visit our up-to-date web page:
anvio.org
January 20, 2026 at 11:48 AM
We just released #anvio v9, "eunice" 🎉
This version represents over 2,000 changes in the codebase since v8, increasing the total number of programs in the anvi'o ecosystem to 176.
Read the release notes:
github.com/merenlab/anv...
Visit our up-to-date web page:
anvio.org
This version represents over 2,000 changes in the codebase since v8, increasing the total number of programs in the anvi'o ecosystem to 176.
Read the release notes:
github.com/merenlab/anv...
Visit our up-to-date web page:
anvio.org
Save the date... The Symbiosis Gordon Conference is headed back to Tuscany June 20-25, 2027 with @ngerardo.bsky.social as Chair! www.grc.org/animal-micro...
January 21, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Save the date... The Symbiosis Gordon Conference is headed back to Tuscany June 20-25, 2027 with @ngerardo.bsky.social as Chair! www.grc.org/animal-micro...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
very sad news. Peer Bork was one of the leaders of our field, a wonderful scientist, and he's much too young to be gone. www.embl.org/news/embl-an...
In remembrance of Peer Bork | EMBL
EMBL and its community are deeply saddened by the death of Peer Bork, the organisation’s Interim Director General.
www.embl.org
January 16, 2026 at 6:33 PM
very sad news. Peer Bork was one of the leaders of our field, a wonderful scientist, and he's much too young to be gone. www.embl.org/news/embl-an...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
Thrilled to share that my first-author paper is now published in Nature Communications! 🎉 Huge thanks to my PI, Dr. Drew Bridges (@bridgesbio.bsky.social), my collaborators, and all the incredible lab members for their support throughout this project
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A small periplasmic protein governs broad physiological adaptations in Vibrio cholerae via regulation of the DbfRS two-component system - Nature Communications
A two-component system, DbfRS, regulates biofilm formation in Vibrio cholerae. Here, Nguyen et al. identify a small periplasmic protein that controls the activity of the system’s receptor, and show th...
www.nature.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Thrilled to share that my first-author paper is now published in Nature Communications! 🎉 Huge thanks to my PI, Dr. Drew Bridges (@bridgesbio.bsky.social), my collaborators, and all the incredible lab members for their support throughout this project
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
Grinnell College has openings for two 1-year term positionsto teach microbiology and immunology. More information here:
apply.interfolio.com/179939
apply.interfolio.com/179939
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Grinnell College has openings for two 1-year term positionsto teach microbiology and immunology. More information here:
apply.interfolio.com/179939
apply.interfolio.com/179939
Reposted by Mark Mandel
We are hiring new faculty!! Come join our amazing community in the Department of Molecular Microbiology at Washington University School of Medicine! The deadline for applications is 2/21, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. facultyopportunities.wustl.edu/Posting/Deta...
Opportunity Details - Faculty Opportunities
facultyopportunities.wustl.edu
January 8, 2026 at 9:05 PM
We are hiring new faculty!! Come join our amazing community in the Department of Molecular Microbiology at Washington University School of Medicine! The deadline for applications is 2/21, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. facultyopportunities.wustl.edu/Posting/Deta...
Reposted by Mark Mandel
The final form of my 2nd postdoc paper with the Bassler Lab! Turns out our favorite quorum-sensing phage isn’t a one-off, but rather a member of a globally dispersed family of phages that sense a universal autoinducer.
#phagesky #microsky
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#phagesky #microsky
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
A family of linear plasmid phages that detect a quorum-sensing autoinducer exists in multiple bacterial species | mBio
The discovery of quorum-sensing responsive linear plasmid phages has transformed understanding
of phage-bacterial interactions by demonstrating inter-domain chemical communication.
To date, however, e...
journals.asm.org
December 21, 2025 at 4:19 PM
The final form of my 2nd postdoc paper with the Bassler Lab! Turns out our favorite quorum-sensing phage isn’t a one-off, but rather a member of a globally dispersed family of phages that sense a universal autoinducer.
#phagesky #microsky
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
#phagesky #microsky
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...