Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social
Principal Investigator | Northwestern University Microbiology-Immunology | #RNA #ribosome #antibiotic resistance #AMR #MRSA | hails from 🇲🇾 by way of 🇹🇼 |Views are my own. 🧪 🧬🔬💉
Pinned
Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social
· Dec 1
Homepage | Yap Laboratory
sites.northwestern.edu
🚨The Yap Lab at Northwestern Univ is looking to fill 2 postdoc positions in 2026 to study aspects of Staphylococcus aureus antibiotic resistance and RNA synthesis-degradation. Please contact Frances Yap at frances.yap@northwestern.edu for details. sites.northwestern.edu/yaplab/. Pls repost #Microsky
Reposted by Frances Yap
This is a fascinating paper that reveals defined and clear mechanism for a phenomenon that for some seemed unbelievable- the up regulation of genes paralogous to those with specific types of inactivating mutations. This is called transcriptional adaptation 1/ www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Mechanisms linking cytoplasmic decay of translation-defective mRNA to transcriptional adaptation
Transcriptional adaptation (TA) is a genetic robustness mechanism through which mutant messenger RNA (mRNA) decay induces sequence-dependent up-regulation of so-called adapting genes. How cytoplasmica...
www.science.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:24 AM
This is a fascinating paper that reveals defined and clear mechanism for a phenomenon that for some seemed unbelievable- the up regulation of genes paralogous to those with specific types of inactivating mutations. This is called transcriptional adaptation 1/ www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Frances Yap
How could a simple self-replicating system emerge at the origins of life? RNA polymerase ribozymes can replicate RNA, but existing ones are so large that their self-replication seems impossible. Could they be smaller?
Excited to share our latest work in @science.org on a new small polymerase.
1/n
Excited to share our latest work in @science.org on a new small polymerase.
1/n
A small polymerase ribozyme that can synthesize itself and its complementary strand
The emergence of a chemical system capable of self-replication and evolution is a critical event in the origin of life. RNA polymerase ribozymes can replicate RNA, but their large size and structural ...
www.science.org
February 13, 2026 at 11:42 AM
How could a simple self-replicating system emerge at the origins of life? RNA polymerase ribozymes can replicate RNA, but existing ones are so large that their self-replication seems impossible. Could they be smaller?
Excited to share our latest work in @science.org on a new small polymerase.
1/n
Excited to share our latest work in @science.org on a new small polymerase.
1/n
Reposted by Frances Yap
The chief of NIAMS, Lindsey Criswell, has told her staff that her 5-year leadership appointment had not been renewed, meaning 16 out of 27 NIH institutes and centers will be operating without a permanent director. https://scim.ag/4cr5wHI
Another NIH institute loses its director
Health department declines to renew Lindsey Criswell, head of arthritis institute, to another 5-year term
scim.ag
February 13, 2026 at 10:32 PM
The chief of NIAMS, Lindsey Criswell, has told her staff that her 5-year leadership appointment had not been renewed, meaning 16 out of 27 NIH institutes and centers will be operating without a permanent director. https://scim.ag/4cr5wHI
Long in the making, but happy to present the Chlamydomonas chlororibosome!
Cryo-ET🔬reveals a large new domain on the small subunit, built from multiple extensions in conserved ribosomal proteins.
bioRxiv 📖: shorturl.at/q44tG
This suggests greater chlororibosome diversity than expected!
1/n 🧵
Cryo-ET🔬reveals a large new domain on the small subunit, built from multiple extensions in conserved ribosomal proteins.
bioRxiv 📖: shorturl.at/q44tG
This suggests greater chlororibosome diversity than expected!
1/n 🧵
February 10, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by Frances Yap
🧪🧬 New preprint!
What if the same biosensor could reveal how cysteine is regulated across life domains?
We introduce Cystector, a genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor for real-time cysteine monitoring in living cells.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
🧵A thread ⬇️
What if the same biosensor could reveal how cysteine is regulated across life domains?
We introduce Cystector, a genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor for real-time cysteine monitoring in living cells.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
🧵A thread ⬇️
February 9, 2026 at 11:56 AM
🧪🧬 New preprint!
What if the same biosensor could reveal how cysteine is regulated across life domains?
We introduce Cystector, a genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor for real-time cysteine monitoring in living cells.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
🧵A thread ⬇️
What if the same biosensor could reveal how cysteine is regulated across life domains?
We introduce Cystector, a genetically encoded fluorescent biosensor for real-time cysteine monitoring in living cells.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
🧵A thread ⬇️
Reposted by Frances Yap
OPM finalized its schedule F proposal — which could makes thousands of federal workers easier to fire
scientists are worried it could make federally funded science less ambitious and chase away top talent away from govt jobs
www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/n...
scientists are worried it could make federally funded science less ambitious and chase away top talent away from govt jobs
www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/n...
Scientists worry finalizing ‘Schedule F’ rule will further politicize NIH grant decisions
The Trump administration is moving forward with a personnel rule that critics say will subject a broader swath of the federal workforce to political pressure
www.statnews.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:04 AM
OPM finalized its schedule F proposal — which could makes thousands of federal workers easier to fire
scientists are worried it could make federally funded science less ambitious and chase away top talent away from govt jobs
www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/n...
scientists are worried it could make federally funded science less ambitious and chase away top talent away from govt jobs
www.statnews.com/2026/02/06/n...
Reposted by Frances Yap
BackToBack #PhageSky in @nature.com
A pore-forming antiphage defence is activated by oligomeric phage proteins
-from Maxwell & Norris
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Bacterial immune activation via supramolecular assembly with phage triggers
-from Laub & Ghanbarpour
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A pore-forming antiphage defence is activated by oligomeric phage proteins
-from Maxwell & Norris
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Bacterial immune activation via supramolecular assembly with phage triggers
-from Laub & Ghanbarpour
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
February 4, 2026 at 10:42 PM
BackToBack #PhageSky in @nature.com
A pore-forming antiphage defence is activated by oligomeric phage proteins
-from Maxwell & Norris
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Bacterial immune activation via supramolecular assembly with phage triggers
-from Laub & Ghanbarpour
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A pore-forming antiphage defence is activated by oligomeric phage proteins
-from Maxwell & Norris
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Bacterial immune activation via supramolecular assembly with phage triggers
-from Laub & Ghanbarpour
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Frances Yap
Our lab has a new review on beta-hairpin antimicrobial peptide diversity out in @pubs.acs.org as part of the special issue celebrating Robert E. W. Hancock. Please have a look and share!
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
β-Hairpin Antimicrobial Peptides: Class Diversity and Sequence Analysis
Interest in antimicrobial peptides has increased dramatically over the last few decades as researchers continue to explore their potential as alternatives to small molecules, as well as their applicat...
pubs.acs.org
February 2, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Our lab has a new review on beta-hairpin antimicrobial peptide diversity out in @pubs.acs.org as part of the special issue celebrating Robert E. W. Hancock. Please have a look and share!
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Reposted by Frances Yap
Very interesting observation on the ribosomes of our distant relatives!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Circularization of 23S rRNA but not 16S rRNA within archaeal ribosomes - Genome Biology
Background Processing of archaeal 16S and 23S rRNAs is believed to involve excision of individual rRNAs from polycistronic precursors, circularization of excised rRNAs, and re-linearization before the...
link.springer.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Very interesting observation on the ribosomes of our distant relatives!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Frances Yap
Our new preprint is out!
We describe the unusual wacky enzyme used by trypanosomes to initiate mRNA degradation😉
Funded DE/CZ/PL WEAVE-UNISONO @ncn.gov.pl
👉The trypanosome mRNA decapping enzyme ALPH1 prefers caps without m7G methylation and produces diphosphate-RNA doi.org/10.64898/202...
We describe the unusual wacky enzyme used by trypanosomes to initiate mRNA degradation😉
Funded DE/CZ/PL WEAVE-UNISONO @ncn.gov.pl
👉The trypanosome mRNA decapping enzyme ALPH1 prefers caps without m7G methylation and produces diphosphate-RNA doi.org/10.64898/202...
doi.org
January 30, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Our new preprint is out!
We describe the unusual wacky enzyme used by trypanosomes to initiate mRNA degradation😉
Funded DE/CZ/PL WEAVE-UNISONO @ncn.gov.pl
👉The trypanosome mRNA decapping enzyme ALPH1 prefers caps without m7G methylation and produces diphosphate-RNA doi.org/10.64898/202...
We describe the unusual wacky enzyme used by trypanosomes to initiate mRNA degradation😉
Funded DE/CZ/PL WEAVE-UNISONO @ncn.gov.pl
👉The trypanosome mRNA decapping enzyme ALPH1 prefers caps without m7G methylation and produces diphosphate-RNA doi.org/10.64898/202...
Reposted by Frances Yap
now online:
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Structures of naked mole-rat, tuco-tuco, and guinea pig ribosomes—is rRNA fragmentation linked to translational fidelity?
Abstract. Ribosomes are central to protein synthesis in all organisms. In mammals, the ribosome functional core is highly conserved. Remarkably, two rodent
academic.oup.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:47 PM
now online:
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Reposted by Frances Yap
Phage Portal Proteins Suppress Bacterial Stringent Response to Promote Infection https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.27.700999v1
January 28, 2026 at 2:18 AM
Phage Portal Proteins Suppress Bacterial Stringent Response to Promote Infection https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.27.700999v1
Reposted by Frances Yap
Strep/Enterococcal colleagues!
Streptococcal Biology GRC/GRS are open for applications. Acceptances are underway and the meeting is on track to fill up.
If you’re aiming for a short talk (lots of slots), registering early matters for full consideration.
Share widely!
www.grc.org/streptococca...
Streptococcal Biology GRC/GRS are open for applications. Acceptances are underway and the meeting is on track to fill up.
If you’re aiming for a short talk (lots of slots), registering early matters for full consideration.
Share widely!
www.grc.org/streptococca...
2026 Streptococcal Biology Conference GRC
The 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Streptococcal Biology will be held in Lucca (Barga), Lucca Italy. Apply today to reserve your spot.
www.grc.org
January 21, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Strep/Enterococcal colleagues!
Streptococcal Biology GRC/GRS are open for applications. Acceptances are underway and the meeting is on track to fill up.
If you’re aiming for a short talk (lots of slots), registering early matters for full consideration.
Share widely!
www.grc.org/streptococca...
Streptococcal Biology GRC/GRS are open for applications. Acceptances are underway and the meeting is on track to fill up.
If you’re aiming for a short talk (lots of slots), registering early matters for full consideration.
Share widely!
www.grc.org/streptococca...
Reposted by Frances Yap
Antitoxin-induced auto-phosphorylation neutralizes the nucleotidyltransferase toxin AbiEii from Streptococcus agalactiae to safeguard global translation https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.19.700257v1
January 21, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Antitoxin-induced auto-phosphorylation neutralizes the nucleotidyltransferase toxin AbiEii from Streptococcus agalactiae to safeguard global translation https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.19.700257v1
SBIT & STTR small business grants have gone dark. 🧪 . seed.nih.gov/small-busine...
January 20, 2026 at 8:41 PM
SBIT & STTR small business grants have gone dark. 🧪 . seed.nih.gov/small-busine...
Archaeal Arc-P & Arc-A ribosome hibernation factors from deep-sea methanogen Methanolobus #ribosome #RNASky
A dual-factor complex governs archaeal ribosome hibernation by sensing energy status https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.19.700304v1
January 19, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Archaeal ribosome hibernation factors on the roll lately, check out the SriA, C; SirB, D with distinct ribosome binding #ribosome #RNASky
A family of archaeal hibernation factors that bind in tandem and protect ribosomes in dormant cells https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.19.700200v1
January 19, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Reposted by Frances Yap
We are looking for a postdoc to work on mechanisms of #RNA decay in cancer using #cryoEM with #nanobodies and #minibinders! Please RT
January 18, 2026 at 2:30 PM
We are looking for a postdoc to work on mechanisms of #RNA decay in cancer using #cryoEM with #nanobodies and #minibinders! Please RT
Reposted by Frances Yap
Transformative discoveries, such as restriction enzymes, yeast cell-cycle mutants and CRISPR–Cas9, were once considered simply oddities of nature.
Let’s adopt more humility about predicting impact, which can truly be known only in retrospect.
Let’s adopt more humility about predicting impact, which can truly be known only in retrospect.
This view resonates deeply with me:
⬛ Publish fewer claims and more proof
Papers need to include fewer claims and more proof to make the scientific literature more reliable
What is driving today’s ‘claims inflation’?
1/3
⬛ Publish fewer claims and more proof
Papers need to include fewer claims and more proof to make the scientific literature more reliable
What is driving today’s ‘claims inflation’?
1/3
January 9, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Transformative discoveries, such as restriction enzymes, yeast cell-cycle mutants and CRISPR–Cas9, were once considered simply oddities of nature.
Let’s adopt more humility about predicting impact, which can truly be known only in retrospect.
Let’s adopt more humility about predicting impact, which can truly be known only in retrospect.
Reposted by Frances Yap
Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Microbiology
Come and join great students and colleagues at Hofstra Biology. Please apply using the link below and/or spread the word!
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
Come and join great students and colleagues at Hofstra Biology. Please apply using the link below and/or spread the word!
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
December 12, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Microbiology
Come and join great students and colleagues at Hofstra Biology. Please apply using the link below and/or spread the word!
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
Come and join great students and colleagues at Hofstra Biology. Please apply using the link below and/or spread the word!
hofstra.peopleadmin.com/postings/6542
Hypoxia-induced D(5S)m2449 and Cm(5S)m2498 modifications in the 23S rRNA promotes protein synthesis #MicroSky #RNASky 🧪 www.cell.com/molecular-ce...
Hypoxia-induced ribosomal RNA modifications in the peptidyl-transferase center contribute to anaerobic growth of bacteria
Ishiguro et al. identify stereoselective ribose-backbone methylations in the peptidyl-transferase
center of E. coli ribosomes, installed by the cobalamin-dependent enzyme RlmX. These
methylations, tog...
www.cell.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Hypoxia-induced D(5S)m2449 and Cm(5S)m2498 modifications in the 23S rRNA promotes protein synthesis #MicroSky #RNASky 🧪 www.cell.com/molecular-ce...
🔽 !!??? #RNASky 🧪
3' to 5' Translation of Circular RNAs? https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.08.692888v1
December 10, 2025 at 12:06 AM
🔽 !!??? #RNASky 🧪
Colibactin-DNA interstrand crosslinks structure reveals DNA-damaging acitivity of colibactin that is linked to colorectal cancer #MicroSky www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The specificity and structure of DNA cross-linking by the gut bacterial genotoxin colibactin
Accumulating evidence has connected the chemically unstable, DNA-damaging gut bacterial natural product colibactin to colorectal cancer, including the identification of mutational signatures that are ...
www.science.org
December 4, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Colibactin-DNA interstrand crosslinks structure reveals DNA-damaging acitivity of colibactin that is linked to colorectal cancer #MicroSky www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
🚨The Yap Lab at Northwestern Univ is looking to fill 2 postdoc positions in 2026 to study aspects of Staphylococcus aureus antibiotic resistance and RNA synthesis-degradation. Please contact Frances Yap at frances.yap@northwestern.edu for details. sites.northwestern.edu/yaplab/. Pls repost #Microsky
Homepage | Yap Laboratory
sites.northwestern.edu
December 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
🚨The Yap Lab at Northwestern Univ is looking to fill 2 postdoc positions in 2026 to study aspects of Staphylococcus aureus antibiotic resistance and RNA synthesis-degradation. Please contact Frances Yap at frances.yap@northwestern.edu for details. sites.northwestern.edu/yaplab/. Pls repost #Microsky
Structure of the Hibernating Francisella tularensis Ribosome and Mechanistic Insights into Its Inhibition by Antibiotics https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.25.690415v1
November 26, 2025 at 2:33 AM