Peter Graystock
@pgraystock.bsky.social
Researcher of host-microbe interactions in animal systems with a focus on social insects & pollinators Imperial College London. #bees #wheat #holobiont #parasite #spillover #directed evolution
Reposted by Peter Graystock
🐝🦠 New paper: rdcu.be/eOf7A
Phages may drive microbial diversity, yet we often don’t even know how phages & bacteria correlate in nature. Our new study tackles this in the honeybee gut, thanks to the great work of PhD student @malickndiaye.bsky.social at @dmf-unil.bsky.social @fbm-unil.bsky.social
Phages may drive microbial diversity, yet we often don’t even know how phages & bacteria correlate in nature. Our new study tackles this in the honeybee gut, thanks to the great work of PhD student @malickndiaye.bsky.social at @dmf-unil.bsky.social @fbm-unil.bsky.social
Phage diversity mirrors bacterial strain diversity in the honey bee gut microbiota - Nature Communications
Authors analyse paired viral and bacterial shotgun metagenomics data from individual honeybee guts, revealing modular, nested phage–bacteria networks, with viral diversity mirroring bacterial strain c...
www.nature.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:36 PM
🐝🦠 New paper: rdcu.be/eOf7A
Phages may drive microbial diversity, yet we often don’t even know how phages & bacteria correlate in nature. Our new study tackles this in the honeybee gut, thanks to the great work of PhD student @malickndiaye.bsky.social at @dmf-unil.bsky.social @fbm-unil.bsky.social
Phages may drive microbial diversity, yet we often don’t even know how phages & bacteria correlate in nature. Our new study tackles this in the honeybee gut, thanks to the great work of PhD student @malickndiaye.bsky.social at @dmf-unil.bsky.social @fbm-unil.bsky.social
PLEASE SHARE. PhD advert: Predicting Pollinator Health and Disease Through Molecular and Sensor-Based Surveillance. tinyurl.com/559hjsm4 Rare opportunity at the intersection of molecular ecology, disease surveillance, modelling and precision apiculture. DEADLINE 24th OCTOBER!
Predicting Pollinator Health and Disease Through Molecular and Sensor-Based Surveillance at Imperial College London on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Predicting Pollinator Health and Disease Through Molecular and Sensor-Based Surveillance at Imperial College London, listed on FindAPhD.com
tinyurl.com
October 7, 2025 at 8:05 AM
PLEASE SHARE. PhD advert: Predicting Pollinator Health and Disease Through Molecular and Sensor-Based Surveillance. tinyurl.com/559hjsm4 Rare opportunity at the intersection of molecular ecology, disease surveillance, modelling and precision apiculture. DEADLINE 24th OCTOBER!
Reposted by Peter Graystock
#microsky 🧫🧪
We have some full length 16S data from isolates that we'd like to match to ASV-level V4-V5 microbiomes from the same samples. It's pretty messy, especially for strains with multiple copies of 16S rRNA genes.
Has anyone encountered this in their work, or in the lit? Any ideas how to approach this?
Has anyone encountered this in their work, or in the lit? Any ideas how to approach this?
September 19, 2025 at 4:24 PM
#microsky 🧫🧪
Reposted by Peter Graystock
Delighted to announce the launch of the BBSRC-funded UK-wide microbiome innovation network Microbiome-Net.
I'm looking forward to representing and furthering the East Midlands Microbiome Research Network's contributions to research, innovation and policy.
www.liverpool.ac.uk/microbiome-i...
I'm looking forward to representing and furthering the East Midlands Microbiome Research Network's contributions to research, innovation and policy.
www.liverpool.ac.uk/microbiome-i...
Stories - Microbiome Innovation Centre - University of Liverpool
www.liverpool.ac.uk
September 13, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Delighted to announce the launch of the BBSRC-funded UK-wide microbiome innovation network Microbiome-Net.
I'm looking forward to representing and furthering the East Midlands Microbiome Research Network's contributions to research, innovation and policy.
www.liverpool.ac.uk/microbiome-i...
I'm looking forward to representing and furthering the East Midlands Microbiome Research Network's contributions to research, innovation and policy.
www.liverpool.ac.uk/microbiome-i...
Monika Yordanova leads on this study exploring coexposure of pesticides & Enterococcus on the health of developing bee larvae 🐝. Often seen as a pathogen, small doses of the microbe may reduce some of the impacts of pesticide toxicity under some conditions.
doi.org/10.1093/fems...
doi.org/10.1093/fems...
September 10, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Monika Yordanova leads on this study exploring coexposure of pesticides & Enterococcus on the health of developing bee larvae 🐝. Often seen as a pathogen, small doses of the microbe may reduce some of the impacts of pesticide toxicity under some conditions.
doi.org/10.1093/fems...
doi.org/10.1093/fems...
Experimenting with AI to make accessible summaries of research. What are peoples thoughts? Here is a summary of a paper looking at the role of flowers in parasite transmission.
Parasites in bloom: flowers aid dispersal and transmission
youtu.be/sGGHzrW0Lmc
@royalsocietypublishing.org
Parasites in bloom: flowers aid dispersal and transmission
youtu.be/sGGHzrW0Lmc
@royalsocietypublishing.org
Parasites in Bloom: The Secret Life of Flowers
YouTube video by Graystock Lab
youtu.be
August 21, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Experimenting with AI to make accessible summaries of research. What are peoples thoughts? Here is a summary of a paper looking at the role of flowers in parasite transmission.
Parasites in bloom: flowers aid dispersal and transmission
youtu.be/sGGHzrW0Lmc
@royalsocietypublishing.org
Parasites in bloom: flowers aid dispersal and transmission
youtu.be/sGGHzrW0Lmc
@royalsocietypublishing.org
Reposted by Peter Graystock
🌿 Over 1000 signed up to join us at #OurImperial Silwood Park for Bugs, Birds & Beasts Day - our biggest turnout yet at this lively day of science, nature & family fun! From falconry to butterfly hunts, from an orchestra to 3D insects, this was a day out to remember! Thank you everyone! 🦅🐛💧
July 31, 2025 at 1:25 PM
🌿 Over 1000 signed up to join us at #OurImperial Silwood Park for Bugs, Birds & Beasts Day - our biggest turnout yet at this lively day of science, nature & family fun! From falconry to butterfly hunts, from an orchestra to 3D insects, this was a day out to remember! Thank you everyone! 🦅🐛💧
Reposted by Peter Graystock
My 4th 'Bugs Day' at Imperial's Silwood campus. The boys (and I) had a wonderful time at an event that just gets better each year.
For Imperial team's interesting in public engagement with the natural world or environmental research, Bugs day is a wonderful resource to reach public audiences.
For Imperial team's interesting in public engagement with the natural world or environmental research, Bugs day is a wonderful resource to reach public audiences.
July 29, 2025 at 9:56 PM
My 4th 'Bugs Day' at Imperial's Silwood campus. The boys (and I) had a wonderful time at an event that just gets better each year.
For Imperial team's interesting in public engagement with the natural world or environmental research, Bugs day is a wonderful resource to reach public audiences.
For Imperial team's interesting in public engagement with the natural world or environmental research, Bugs day is a wonderful resource to reach public audiences.
Reposted by Peter Graystock
Glad to finally be able to share this paper! We found that epiphytes and their close relatives tend to have small range sizes, meaning a high proportion are likely to be at risk of extinction www.nature.com/articles/s41...
June 13, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Glad to finally be able to share this paper! We found that epiphytes and their close relatives tend to have small range sizes, meaning a high proportion are likely to be at risk of extinction www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Peter Graystock
For over 100 years, epiphytes - plants that grow on other plants such as orchids & bromeliads - were believed to be widespread and resilient 🌿
But our new study in Nature Plants tells a very different story 👇
But our new study in Nature Plants tells a very different story 👇
June 13, 2025 at 9:05 AM
For over 100 years, epiphytes - plants that grow on other plants such as orchids & bromeliads - were believed to be widespread and resilient 🌿
But our new study in Nature Plants tells a very different story 👇
But our new study in Nature Plants tells a very different story 👇
Reposted by Peter Graystock
🪴 Epiphytic plants, including popular houseplants and orchids, may be at high risk of extinction across the globe, according to new research by scientists at Imperial College London and @rbgkew.bsky.social 🧵
June 13, 2025 at 10:57 AM
🪴 Epiphytic plants, including popular houseplants and orchids, may be at high risk of extinction across the globe, according to new research by scientists at Imperial College London and @rbgkew.bsky.social 🧵
📣 Imperial College Research Fellowships!
Prestigious 4yr fellowship
✔️ Salary from £48k
✔️ Up to £45k for research
✔️ A supportive, inclusive research environment
✔️ UK or international
✔️ <4 yrs post-PhD
Drop me a pm if you are interested in bee/microbe related research! tinyurl.com/mr3k5a93
Prestigious 4yr fellowship
✔️ Salary from £48k
✔️ Up to £45k for research
✔️ A supportive, inclusive research environment
✔️ UK or international
✔️ <4 yrs post-PhD
Drop me a pm if you are interested in bee/microbe related research! tinyurl.com/mr3k5a93
May 5, 2025 at 1:17 PM
📣 Imperial College Research Fellowships!
Prestigious 4yr fellowship
✔️ Salary from £48k
✔️ Up to £45k for research
✔️ A supportive, inclusive research environment
✔️ UK or international
✔️ <4 yrs post-PhD
Drop me a pm if you are interested in bee/microbe related research! tinyurl.com/mr3k5a93
Prestigious 4yr fellowship
✔️ Salary from £48k
✔️ Up to £45k for research
✔️ A supportive, inclusive research environment
✔️ UK or international
✔️ <4 yrs post-PhD
Drop me a pm if you are interested in bee/microbe related research! tinyurl.com/mr3k5a93
Women at Imperial celebrates the achievements of our staff, students and alumni, and raises awareness of support and initiatives across the university. Join us for Women at Imperial Week from 10–14 March 2025 with a series of events and workshops.
www.imperial.ac.uk/women-at-imp...
www.imperial.ac.uk/women-at-imp...
Women at Imperial
Women at Imperial is an annual event that takes place around International Women’s Day (8 March). Over the course of a week we celebrate female staff and students, past and present, and raise awarenes...
www.imperial.ac.uk
March 8, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Women at Imperial celebrates the achievements of our staff, students and alumni, and raises awareness of support and initiatives across the university. Join us for Women at Imperial Week from 10–14 March 2025 with a series of events and workshops.
www.imperial.ac.uk/women-at-imp...
www.imperial.ac.uk/women-at-imp...
Looking for a masters (MRes/Msci) in Ecological sciences? @imperiallifesci.bsky.social youtu.be/b9HAZsvBpm8?...
Postgraduate Study at Imperial | Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
YouTube video by Imperial College London
youtu.be
March 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Looking for a masters (MRes/Msci) in Ecological sciences? @imperiallifesci.bsky.social youtu.be/b9HAZsvBpm8?...
Reposted by Peter Graystock
Please don't turn your lawn into plastic. Plastic grass reduces food & shelter for wildlife such as bees & butterflies; has a high carbon footprint; sheds micro-plastics which wash into our rivers and seas. Create a wildlife-friendly space instead. More bit.ly/3wE67P8 🐝
December 4, 2024 at 8:08 AM
Please don't turn your lawn into plastic. Plastic grass reduces food & shelter for wildlife such as bees & butterflies; has a high carbon footprint; sheds micro-plastics which wash into our rivers and seas. Create a wildlife-friendly space instead. More bit.ly/3wE67P8 🐝
Funded PhD opportunity in the Graystock lab! If you are interested in pollinators, microbes, parasites and machine learning, please get in touch! - only a few days left to let me know! Whilst a project using the above is planned, im happy to adapt to the strengths of a candidate
January 3, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Funded PhD opportunity in the Graystock lab! If you are interested in pollinators, microbes, parasites and machine learning, please get in touch! - only a few days left to let me know! Whilst a project using the above is planned, im happy to adapt to the strengths of a candidate
Reposted by Peter Graystock
"Ants solving a geometric problem and it's amazing."
This is a great example of 'emergent phenomenon':
- None of the ants understand the problem they're solving.
- None of them can see the whole shape.
- A series of small decisions or rules add up to something with a new layer of complexity.
This is a great example of 'emergent phenomenon':
- None of the ants understand the problem they're solving.
- None of them can see the whole shape.
- A series of small decisions or rules add up to something with a new layer of complexity.
Son hormigas resolviendo un problema geométrico y es para flipar en colores.
December 25, 2024 at 5:54 PM
"Ants solving a geometric problem and it's amazing."
This is a great example of 'emergent phenomenon':
- None of the ants understand the problem they're solving.
- None of them can see the whole shape.
- A series of small decisions or rules add up to something with a new layer of complexity.
This is a great example of 'emergent phenomenon':
- None of the ants understand the problem they're solving.
- None of them can see the whole shape.
- A series of small decisions or rules add up to something with a new layer of complexity.
Nice to catch up with everyone at the #IUSSI conference in London today. A good representation from the lab too with some excellent student posters! With @nesbit-sci.bsky.social, Charlotte and Monika - I think it's also safe to say my phone camera has seen better days!
December 16, 2024 at 10:27 PM
Nice to catch up with everyone at the #IUSSI conference in London today. A good representation from the lab too with some excellent student posters! With @nesbit-sci.bsky.social, Charlotte and Monika - I think it's also safe to say my phone camera has seen better days!
Reposted by Peter Graystock
PhD studentships now available in all areas of Life Sciences at Imperial College London
www.findaphd.com/phds/program...
www.findaphd.com/phds/program...
FindAPhD : Department of Life Sciences funded PhD studentships at Imperial College London
Apply for a PhD: Department of Life Sciences funded PhD studentships at Imperial College London
www.findaphd.com
November 28, 2024 at 12:19 PM
PhD studentships now available in all areas of Life Sciences at Imperial College London
www.findaphd.com/phds/program...
www.findaphd.com/phds/program...
Reposted by Peter Graystock
This Edinburgh Botanics light show installation is designed to illustrate mycelium networks. It’s almost as impressive in daylight as when lit up!
November 28, 2024 at 11:48 AM
This Edinburgh Botanics light show installation is designed to illustrate mycelium networks. It’s almost as impressive in daylight as when lit up!
Reposted by Peter Graystock
Wondered how pollinator learning affects pollination for 🌺🌻🌼? More complex flowers 🌺🌻🌼 require more learning, and learning ⬆️pollen collection, but has NO effect on pollen transfer! New Behavioral Ecology pub from #RussellLab grad & undergrads; collab w/ Ashman Lab academic.oup.com/beheco/advan...
Learning to handle flowers increases pollen collection for bees but does not affect pollination success for plants
Pollinator learning often increases flower handling efficiency and food collection (e.g. pollen or nectar), but whether learning thereby reduces pollinatio
academic.oup.com
October 24, 2024 at 3:53 AM
Wondered how pollinator learning affects pollination for 🌺🌻🌼? More complex flowers 🌺🌻🌼 require more learning, and learning ⬆️pollen collection, but has NO effect on pollen transfer! New Behavioral Ecology pub from #RussellLab grad & undergrads; collab w/ Ashman Lab academic.oup.com/beheco/advan...
Reposted by Peter Graystock
Did you know we can track the movements of bumble bees using radio technology? This research reveals fascinating insights into their behaviour across different landscapes and helps guide vital conservation efforts. 🧪🌎🐝
November 15, 2024 at 7:03 PM
Did you know we can track the movements of bumble bees using radio technology? This research reveals fascinating insights into their behaviour across different landscapes and helps guide vital conservation efforts. 🧪🌎🐝
There's just something about bee mites that makes me feel uneasy! anyway - here's a picture of some poor bees at the end of a field experiment we ran (we hadn't considered mites in the design but they became an interesting part of the study!). Its amazing how many mites a single bee can carry!
November 15, 2024 at 6:10 PM
There's just something about bee mites that makes me feel uneasy! anyway - here's a picture of some poor bees at the end of a field experiment we ran (we hadn't considered mites in the design but they became an interesting part of the study!). Its amazing how many mites a single bee can carry!
In the lab we have been enjoying learning and optimising methods to rear bumblebee larvae in the lab. Its more involved than rearing honey bees but just a cute to see then consume the diet!
November 15, 2024 at 6:02 PM
In the lab we have been enjoying learning and optimising methods to rear bumblebee larvae in the lab. Its more involved than rearing honey bees but just a cute to see then consume the diet!
In 2015 i helped document the oldest known wasp individual (atleast 506 days old). Will this get me on to the #wasplove starter pack @waspwoman.bsky.social ?
peerj.com/articles/848/
peerj.com/articles/848/
November 15, 2024 at 5:50 PM
In 2015 i helped document the oldest known wasp individual (atleast 506 days old). Will this get me on to the #wasplove starter pack @waspwoman.bsky.social ?
peerj.com/articles/848/
peerj.com/articles/848/