Rob Fagan
@robfagan.bsky.social
Lead for Molecular Microbiology @sheffielduni.bsky.social
@molmicrosheffield.bsky.social
#SEN parent, #AngelmanSyndrome
Clostridial cell biology, AMR & bacteriophage structure and function
He/Him
https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/fagan-lab/
@molmicrosheffield.bsky.social
#SEN parent, #AngelmanSyndrome
Clostridial cell biology, AMR & bacteriophage structure and function
He/Him
https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/fagan-lab/
Pinned
Rob Fagan
@robfagan.bsky.social
· Aug 22
A novel two-component system controls vancomycin resistance in epidemic Clostridioides difficile
The glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin is the frontline treatment for C. difficile infection in the UK. There have been only sporadic reports of resistance in the clinic but testing is rare so the tru...
www.biorxiv.org
New preprint from us! The latest part of our C. difficile vancomycin resistance story. We identified a new two-component system (VnrRS) that can control expression of the vanG pathway - just needs one amino acid change
@buddlejess.bsky.social @brockhurstlab.bsky.social @claireyt.bsky.social
@buddlejess.bsky.social @brockhurstlab.bsky.social @claireyt.bsky.social
Our puppy turned 1 today. I think I managed to tire her out on a muddy walk!
February 7, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Our puppy turned 1 today. I think I managed to tire her out on a muddy walk!
Reposted by Rob Fagan
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by Rob Fagan
Colleagues of mine @naomilpollock.bsky.social and @alice-rothnie.bsky.social are at a BBSRC event today and have been told that the RM call is paused, until maybe March, to allow them to transition to a open call rather than 3 deadlines a year. Nice that this is widely communicated 😉
February 4, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Colleagues of mine @naomilpollock.bsky.social and @alice-rothnie.bsky.social are at a BBSRC event today and have been told that the RM call is paused, until maybe March, to allow them to transition to a open call rather than 3 deadlines a year. Nice that this is widely communicated 😉
I know what they're getting at with the "could put jobs at risk" but can we focus on the immediate impact? Each suspended round at MRC and BBSRC means about 80 fewer postdoc jobs and the retrospective cuts at MRC add another 30 or so
Next, @isaacbarbosa1.bsky.social writes that researchers have warned that changes to applicant-led funding opportunities at the MRC and the BBSRC are hitting morale and could put jobs at risk.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
MRC and BBSRC grant uncertainty ‘deeply demoralising’ - Research Professional News
Researchers fear job losses, more bid competition and greater pain for smaller universities
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:27 PM
I know what they're getting at with the "could put jobs at risk" but can we focus on the immediate impact? Each suspended round at MRC and BBSRC means about 80 fewer postdoc jobs and the retrospective cuts at MRC add another 30 or so
Reposted by Rob Fagan
Leaks everywhere and finally we get an official statement, one that somehow manages to say a lot while; No timelines. No clarity. No acknowledgement of impact on ECRs whose careers depend UKRI funding.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Leaks everywhere and finally we get an official statement, one that somehow manages to say a lot while; No timelines. No clarity. No acknowledgement of impact on ECRs whose careers depend UKRI funding.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
“Later this year” isn’t a plan. And the sector deserves better than reassurance without detail.
Finally comms from UKRI - on a Sunday evening. No mention of the hundreds of ECRs who will see their careers ended by these decisions and notably no explanation for MRC retrospectively applying cuts and wasting all the work that went into writing, reviewing and scoring applications - £millions
Today, we're sharing an open letter from our Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, outlining changes to UKRI investment approach, and addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC. Read his letter here: www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
Open letter from Ian Chapman to research and innovation community
UKRI Chief Executive outlines changes to UKRI investment approach, addressing concerns about research funding and the financial position of STFC.
www.ukri.org
February 1, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Finally comms from UKRI - on a Sunday evening. No mention of the hundreds of ECRs who will see their careers ended by these decisions and notably no explanation for MRC retrospectively applying cuts and wasting all the work that went into writing, reviewing and scoring applications - £millions
Reposted by Rob Fagan
Dynamic DnaA–DnaB interactions at oriC coordinate the loading and coupled translocation of two DnaB helicases for bidirectional replication url: academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Dynamic DnaA–DnaB interactions at oriC coordinate the loading and coupled translocation of two DnaB helicases for bidirectional replication
Abstract. Bidirectional replication is a conserved principle requiring coordinated translocation of the two replicative helicases loaded at the origin. In
academic.oup.com
January 31, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Dynamic DnaA–DnaB interactions at oriC coordinate the loading and coupled translocation of two DnaB helicases for bidirectional replication url: academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Appalling news for the biosciences in the UK. I have three grants under review at the moment so the last week since I heard these rumours have been a definite career low point. Shifting priorities (read political interference) are bad enough
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Appalling news for the biosciences in the UK. I have three grants under review at the moment so the last week since I heard these rumours have been a definite career low point. Shifting priorities (read political interference) are bad enough
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Rob Fagan
I'm seeing relatively little chatter or outcry about what is happening at the MRC, the UK's biomedical research funder.
Before Christmas MRC paused the acceptance of many of its grants, including the standard applicant-led research grant. There has been no public information on what is happening 🧵
Before Christmas MRC paused the acceptance of many of its grants, including the standard applicant-led research grant. There has been no public information on what is happening 🧵
January 23, 2026 at 1:50 PM
I'm seeing relatively little chatter or outcry about what is happening at the MRC, the UK's biomedical research funder.
Before Christmas MRC paused the acceptance of many of its grants, including the standard applicant-led research grant. There has been no public information on what is happening 🧵
Before Christmas MRC paused the acceptance of many of its grants, including the standard applicant-led research grant. There has been no public information on what is happening 🧵
Been working flat out since Christmas so decided to take today off. Afternoon plans out the window after a call from Mr4's school. Never work with children or animals 🤣
January 12, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Been working flat out since Christmas so decided to take today off. Afternoon plans out the window after a call from Mr4's school. Never work with children or animals 🤣
A quick mental health break before the final grant submission push. Never too cold for a dip if you're a Labrador!
January 9, 2026 at 10:47 AM
A quick mental health break before the final grant submission push. Never too cold for a dip if you're a Labrador!
Reposted by Rob Fagan
orcas have the chance to do the funniest thing
December 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM
orcas have the chance to do the funniest thing
Some Lego fun with Mr4 on New Year's Eve!
December 31, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Some Lego fun with Mr4 on New Year's Eve!
I did some actual science this week - like actual handled some bacteria! Not sure I can make sense of the results or if they will ever see the light of day but I still feel like I did something
December 18, 2025 at 10:10 PM
I did some actual science this week - like actual handled some bacteria! Not sure I can make sense of the results or if they will ever see the light of day but I still feel like I did something
Eventful Thursday! Pip cut her paw on something in our house, leading to a quick trip to the vets for some super glue. So she's had to come into the office with me. Apologies to everyone I've talked to today for the barking Labrador in the background!
December 18, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Eventful Thursday! Pip cut her paw on something in our house, leading to a quick trip to the vets for some super glue. So she's had to come into the office with me. Apologies to everyone I've talked to today for the barking Labrador in the background!
Reposted by Rob Fagan
I had an amazing time at my viva! It was a privilege to work in such an amazing lab and my examiners were so friendly and knowledgeable which led to a great discussion!
Congratulations to the new Dr @bexx-menday.bsky.social! And huge thanks to fantastic examiners Peter Rosenthal and Ellie Harrison
December 12, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I had an amazing time at my viva! It was a privilege to work in such an amazing lab and my examiners were so friendly and knowledgeable which led to a great discussion!
Congratulations to the new Dr @bexx-menday.bsky.social! And huge thanks to fantastic examiners Peter Rosenthal and Ellie Harrison
December 5, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Congratulations to the new Dr @bexx-menday.bsky.social! And huge thanks to fantastic examiners Peter Rosenthal and Ellie Harrison
Reposted by Rob Fagan
Our paper with @robfagan.bsky.social @jasonwils.bsky.social and Louis-Charles Fortier on #phage has been included in this year's LSA special collection.
www.life-science-alliance.org/content/cell...
www.life-science-alliance.org/content/cell...
Cell Biology 2025
We are pleased to present a special collection of cell biology research that most captivated readers of LSA over the past year. These articles offer exciting new perspectives on how cells carry out ba...
www.life-science-alliance.org
December 4, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Our paper with @robfagan.bsky.social @jasonwils.bsky.social and Louis-Charles Fortier on #phage has been included in this year's LSA special collection.
www.life-science-alliance.org/content/cell...
www.life-science-alliance.org/content/cell...
Reposted by Rob Fagan
Kate Willett pass her viva yesterday, congrats Dr Willett! Huge thanks to @robfagan.bsky.social @ @jeremykeown.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Kate Willett pass her viva yesterday, congrats Dr Willett! Huge thanks to @robfagan.bsky.social @ @jeremykeown.bsky.social
The deadline for the first of our three fully funded PhD studentships is tomorrow! Determining the role of the dual-function VanT in C. diff vancomycin resistance. Collab with @gavinhthomas.bsky.social and Marjan van der Woude
MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership: Doubling down: determining the dual function of VanT in C. difficile antibiotic resistance. at University of Sheffield on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership: Doubling down: determining the dual function of VanT in C. difficile antibiotic resistance. at University of Sheffield, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The deadline for the first of our three fully funded PhD studentships is tomorrow! Determining the role of the dual-function VanT in C. diff vancomycin resistance. Collab with @gavinhthomas.bsky.social and Marjan van der Woude
It's time for our annual lab hike and Christmas dinner - so of course there's torrential rain. I hope the pub has the fires lit!
December 1, 2025 at 9:26 AM
It's time for our annual lab hike and Christmas dinner - so of course there's torrential rain. I hope the pub has the fires lit!
There's just over 2 weeks left to apply for a fully funded PhD studentship with us working on C. difficile vancomycin resistance. Two more studentships - linked in the thread below - close in early January
November 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
There's just over 2 weeks left to apply for a fully funded PhD studentship with us working on C. difficile vancomycin resistance. Two more studentships - linked in the thread below - close in early January
Reposted by Rob Fagan
Absolutely delighted (and proud) that @freyaallen.bsky.social passed her viva with minor corrections today.
Thanks very much @jessicamablair.bsky.social @robfagan.bsky.social for examining!
Thanks very much @jessicamablair.bsky.social @robfagan.bsky.social for examining!
November 6, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Absolutely delighted (and proud) that @freyaallen.bsky.social passed her viva with minor corrections today.
Thanks very much @jessicamablair.bsky.social @robfagan.bsky.social for examining!
Thanks very much @jessicamablair.bsky.social @robfagan.bsky.social for examining!