Kumaran Ramamurthi
@ramamurthilab.bsky.social
Scientist studying protein localization in bacteria. We also design artificial bacteria to deliver chemotherapeutics to #cancer cells. All views are my own.
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=t9UM04YAAAAJ&hl=en
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=t9UM04YAAAAJ&hl=en
Pinned
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me
A major challenge in RNA delivery is overcoming poor loading efficiency into nanoparticles. F. Machinandiarena solves this by using "SSHELs", our particles inspired by bacterial spores, to deliver RNA specifically to HER2+ ovarian cancer cells.
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
Fer’s tour de force in B. anthracis is out! Fer got Tn-seq running, built an ordered knockout library, defined all essential sporulation genes, and found a peptidoglycan deacetylase inhibitor critical for engulfment. Including our first one-by-all Alphafold screen! journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Identification of sporulation genes in Bacillus anthracis highlights similarities and significant differences with Bacillus subtilis
How good is Bacillus subtilis as a model for the spore-forming pathogen Bacillus anthracis? Using high throughput genetics to identify B. anthracis sporulation genes and cytological analysis of the mu...
journals.plos.org
December 13, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Fer’s tour de force in B. anthracis is out! Fer got Tn-seq running, built an ordered knockout library, defined all essential sporulation genes, and found a peptidoglycan deacetylase inhibitor critical for engulfment. Including our first one-by-all Alphafold screen! journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
Registration is open for the 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Microbial Stress Response to be held on July 19-24 2026!! Submit your abstract by February 15th to be considered for a short talk. Apply now before it fills up!! Hope to see you there!! www.grc.org/microbial-st...
2026 Microbial Stress Response Conference GRC
The 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Microbial Stress Response will be held in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Apply today to reserve your spot.
www.grc.org
January 6, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Registration is open for the 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Microbial Stress Response to be held on July 19-24 2026!! Submit your abstract by February 15th to be considered for a short talk. Apply now before it fills up!! Hope to see you there!! www.grc.org/microbial-st...
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
Check out our exciting new paper out now in @plos.org where Dr Ahmad manipulated #peptidoglycan chemistry to understand Lyme disease and arthritis 👇👏
#Microsky
#glycotime
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
#Microsky
#glycotime
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
Peptidoglycan architecture dictates protein interactions, tissue tropism, and arthritis in the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi
Author summary Many of the pathogenic mechanisms by which Borrelia burgdorferi causes disease involve cell envelope interactions with host components. To further elucidate the role of peptidoglycan in...
journals.plos.org
January 20, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Check out our exciting new paper out now in @plos.org where Dr Ahmad manipulated #peptidoglycan chemistry to understand Lyme disease and arthritis 👇👏
#Microsky
#glycotime
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
#Microsky
#glycotime
journals.plos.org/plospathogen...
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
ALERT: Abstract submission deadline is tomorrow (21 January) for the ASM Applied & Environmental Microbiology Meeting within ASM Microbe 2026 in Washington, D.C. (4-7 June). @asm.org
asm.org/events/asm-m...
🧵 for more information including themes for Contributed Abstracts for In-Depth Sessions:
asm.org/events/asm-m...
🧵 for more information including themes for Contributed Abstracts for In-Depth Sessions:
ASM Microbe | Abstracts
ASM Microbe showcases the best microbial sciences in the world and provides a one-of-a-kind forum to explore everything from basic microbiology to translation and application.
asm.org
January 20, 2026 at 3:10 PM
ALERT: Abstract submission deadline is tomorrow (21 January) for the ASM Applied & Environmental Microbiology Meeting within ASM Microbe 2026 in Washington, D.C. (4-7 June). @asm.org
asm.org/events/asm-m...
🧵 for more information including themes for Contributed Abstracts for In-Depth Sessions:
asm.org/events/asm-m...
🧵 for more information including themes for Contributed Abstracts for In-Depth Sessions:
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
Candida albicans is usually hanging out with bacterial neighbors, so what happens to the fungus during co-culture?
The bacteria secrete metabolites that induce massive cell wall remodeling that change immune recognition and drug resistance. Read more in our new paper: www.cell.com/current-biol...
The bacteria secrete metabolites that induce massive cell wall remodeling that change immune recognition and drug resistance. Read more in our new paper: www.cell.com/current-biol...
January 20, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Candida albicans is usually hanging out with bacterial neighbors, so what happens to the fungus during co-culture?
The bacteria secrete metabolites that induce massive cell wall remodeling that change immune recognition and drug resistance. Read more in our new paper: www.cell.com/current-biol...
The bacteria secrete metabolites that induce massive cell wall remodeling that change immune recognition and drug resistance. Read more in our new paper: www.cell.com/current-biol...
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
Defining the order of assembly of the Clostridioides difficile divisome complex https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.19.700290v1
January 20, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Defining the order of assembly of the Clostridioides difficile divisome complex https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.19.700290v1
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
We’ve discovered how the superbug E. faecalis prevents chronic wounds from healing.
It’s not a toxin. It’s metabolism.
The bacteria use extracellular electron transport (EET) to electrochemically generate ROS, effectively "freezing" skin cells in place.
doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb5297
It’s not a toxin. It’s metabolism.
The bacteria use extracellular electron transport (EET) to electrochemically generate ROS, effectively "freezing" skin cells in place.
doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb5297
Enterococcus faecalis redox metabolism activates the unfolded protein response to impair wound healing
E. faecalis EET generates ROS, which induces the UPR in keratinocytes, inhibiting in vitro migration.
doi.org
January 17, 2026 at 1:26 AM
We’ve discovered how the superbug E. faecalis prevents chronic wounds from healing.
It’s not a toxin. It’s metabolism.
The bacteria use extracellular electron transport (EET) to electrochemically generate ROS, effectively "freezing" skin cells in place.
doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb5297
It’s not a toxin. It’s metabolism.
The bacteria use extracellular electron transport (EET) to electrochemically generate ROS, effectively "freezing" skin cells in place.
doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb5297
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
My first first-author paper is posted! Glad to have this out! 🦠🚨🕺
We show that pGpp production depletes GTP, inhibits translation, and remodels the transcriptome faster than (p)ppGpp.
...and more!
We show that pGpp production depletes GTP, inhibits translation, and remodels the transcriptome faster than (p)ppGpp.
...and more!
Starvation-independent alarmone production inhibits translation through GTP depletion https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.12.699007v1
January 13, 2026 at 2:09 AM
My first first-author paper is posted! Glad to have this out! 🦠🚨🕺
We show that pGpp production depletes GTP, inhibits translation, and remodels the transcriptome faster than (p)ppGpp.
...and more!
We show that pGpp production depletes GTP, inhibits translation, and remodels the transcriptome faster than (p)ppGpp.
...and more!
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
While everyone is hustling for the holidays, hopefully folks will have time to submit abstracts or register for #ASMMicrobe2026 in DC! Please repost!
Abstract portal is open for ASM Microbe 2026. New meeting format, same great science. Hope to see you in DC!
ASM Microbe | Abstracts
ASM Microbe showcases the best microbial sciences in the world and provides a one-of-a-kind forum to explore everything from basic microbiology to translation and application.
asm.org
December 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
While everyone is hustling for the holidays, hopefully folks will have time to submit abstracts or register for #ASMMicrobe2026 in DC! Please repost!
A major challenge in RNA delivery is overcoming poor loading efficiency into nanoparticles. F. Machinandiarena solves this by using "SSHELs", our particles inspired by bacterial spores, to deliver RNA specifically to HER2+ ovarian cancer cells.
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me
December 20, 2025 at 4:11 PM
A major challenge in RNA delivery is overcoming poor loading efficiency into nanoparticles. F. Machinandiarena solves this by using "SSHELs", our particles inspired by bacterial spores, to deliver RNA specifically to HER2+ ovarian cancer cells.
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
Accepted!
Stay tuned to read about what (large) molecule Federico Machinandiarena was able to deliver to specific tumor cells using our SSHEL nanoparticle technology (inspired by the construction of bacterial spores)...
Stay tuned to read about what (large) molecule Federico Machinandiarena was able to deliver to specific tumor cells using our SSHEL nanoparticle technology (inspired by the construction of bacterial spores)...
December 18, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Accepted!
Stay tuned to read about what (large) molecule Federico Machinandiarena was able to deliver to specific tumor cells using our SSHEL nanoparticle technology (inspired by the construction of bacterial spores)...
Stay tuned to read about what (large) molecule Federico Machinandiarena was able to deliver to specific tumor cells using our SSHEL nanoparticle technology (inspired by the construction of bacterial spores)...
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
Reposting because it’s Sunday and maybe people have time for a podcast today. It was really fun to with @markowenmartin.bsky.social about my group’s concrete project! (with bonus road salt content)
@sunyesf.bsky.social #microsky #concrete #builtenvironment
@sunyesf.bsky.social #microsky #concrete #builtenvironment
It’s Friday: a new episode of #MattersMicrobial! This week, Dr. Julie Maresca joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss microbes and concrete and road salt! Please spread the #GoodMicrobialWord? @ASMicrobiology @univpugetsound @microbe.tv
youtu.be/3JpbySeOO20?...
youtu.be/3JpbySeOO20?...
November 16, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Reposting because it’s Sunday and maybe people have time for a podcast today. It was really fun to with @markowenmartin.bsky.social about my group’s concrete project! (with bonus road salt content)
@sunyesf.bsky.social #microsky #concrete #builtenvironment
@sunyesf.bsky.social #microsky #concrete #builtenvironment
ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20...
Pretty cool high school project
Pretty cool high school project
The Integration of eVTOL Aircraft and Infrastructure into San Jose Mineta International Airport - NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
With the average American spending around 43 hours a year sitting in traffic1, and automobile emissions in the US accounting for 57% of all transportation emissions2, traditional transportation infras...
ntrs.nasa.gov
November 15, 2025 at 8:16 PM
ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20...
Pretty cool high school project
Pretty cool high school project
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
For the first time, scientists have documented an unusual defense: Some species of arachnids build giant doppelgängers on their webs, creating a frightening deception that scares off would-be killers. https://scim.ag/487Myn0
November 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
For the first time, scientists have documented an unusual defense: Some species of arachnids build giant doppelgängers on their webs, creating a frightening deception that scares off would-be killers. https://scim.ag/487Myn0
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
#MicrobiologyMonday: Bacteria swarm, but DYK they also "swash"? This flagella-independent movement is tied to fermentation: as cells ferment sugars, they create local osmolarity gradients, which generate a wave of fluid driving expansion. #JBacteriology: asm.social/2Gh
November 10, 2025 at 5:03 PM
#MicrobiologyMonday: Bacteria swarm, but DYK they also "swash"? This flagella-independent movement is tied to fermentation: as cells ferment sugars, they create local osmolarity gradients, which generate a wave of fluid driving expansion. #JBacteriology: asm.social/2Gh
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
My reviewing style has changed over time. Rather than litigate every little thing, and pushing my own ideas, I focus only on 2 things:
(1) Are the claims interesting/important?
(2) Does the evidence support the claims?
Most of my reviews these days are short and focused.
(1) Are the claims interesting/important?
(2) Does the evidence support the claims?
Most of my reviews these days are short and focused.
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 AM
My reviewing style has changed over time. Rather than litigate every little thing, and pushing my own ideas, I focus only on 2 things:
(1) Are the claims interesting/important?
(2) Does the evidence support the claims?
Most of my reviews these days are short and focused.
(1) Are the claims interesting/important?
(2) Does the evidence support the claims?
Most of my reviews these days are short and focused.
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
"Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives."
― Carl Sagan, born 9 November 1934
Video Credit: @planetarysociety.bsky.social
#PaleBlueDot 🔭 🧪 #CarlSagan
― Carl Sagan, born 9 November 1934
Video Credit: @planetarysociety.bsky.social
#PaleBlueDot 🔭 🧪 #CarlSagan
November 9, 2025 at 6:21 PM
"Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives."
― Carl Sagan, born 9 November 1934
Video Credit: @planetarysociety.bsky.social
#PaleBlueDot 🔭 🧪 #CarlSagan
― Carl Sagan, born 9 November 1934
Video Credit: @planetarysociety.bsky.social
#PaleBlueDot 🔭 🧪 #CarlSagan
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
Ray: Just a note to say STC is officially back up and running!! You can view our new home via smallthingsconsidered.blog
November 3, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Ray: Just a note to say STC is officially back up and running!! You can view our new home via smallthingsconsidered.blog
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
both are right: the best is marine microbiology
November 2, 2025 at 5:47 PM
both are right: the best is marine microbiology
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
The stringent response does not influence ribosome pausing in Bacillus subtilis
@narjournal.bsky.social from Leendert Hamoen
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
@narjournal.bsky.social from Leendert Hamoen
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
The stringent response does not influence ribosome pausing in Bacillus subtilis
Abstract. The stringent response represses translation and is activated when cells enter the stationary phase and intracellular amino acid levels drop. Bac
academic.oup.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:42 AM
The stringent response does not influence ribosome pausing in Bacillus subtilis
@narjournal.bsky.social from Leendert Hamoen
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
@narjournal.bsky.social from Leendert Hamoen
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
These were the dinosaurs that faced the asteroid.
Some of the last survivors. They lived in New Mexico, 66 million years ago. Among them was Alamosaurus, the size of a jetplane.
We unveiled them, and their true age, today in a new paper in
@science.org !
Some of the last survivors. They lived in New Mexico, 66 million years ago. Among them was Alamosaurus, the size of a jetplane.
We unveiled them, and their true age, today in a new paper in
@science.org !
October 23, 2025 at 6:32 PM
These were the dinosaurs that faced the asteroid.
Some of the last survivors. They lived in New Mexico, 66 million years ago. Among them was Alamosaurus, the size of a jetplane.
We unveiled them, and their true age, today in a new paper in
@science.org !
Some of the last survivors. They lived in New Mexico, 66 million years ago. Among them was Alamosaurus, the size of a jetplane.
We unveiled them, and their true age, today in a new paper in
@science.org !
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
Come be my chair at The University of Arizona! We have great bike riding, hiking, and of course, science! arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Department Head, Department of Immunobiology
Strategic LeadershipDevelop and execute a bold
vision for the Department of Immunobiology that advances understanding of
how immune and micr...
arizona.csod.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Come be my chair at The University of Arizona! We have great bike riding, hiking, and of course, science! arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Reposted by Kumaran Ramamurthi
With the functional link!
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
New in JB: Bhattacharya, Zhang, & Yu review the current state of knowledge around protein trafficking across the membrane by gram-positive bacteria with a focus on the model organisms Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
@asm.org
#JBacteriology
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
@asm.org
#JBacteriology
October 21, 2025 at 2:04 PM
With the functional link!
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Mandatory viewing for microbiologists...
Episode 112 of #MattersMicrobial! Dr. Petra Levin joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss bacterial cell size, pH, and antibiotic sensitivity. PLEASE spread the #GoodMicrobialWord. Petra is inspirational. @univpugetsound @asmicrobiology @microbe.tv
youtu.be/YPNAvJYAq-s?...
youtu.be/YPNAvJYAq-s?...
October 17, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Mandatory viewing for microbiologists...