VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
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vibmicrobes.bsky.social
VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
@vibmicrobes.bsky.social
➡️ http://jobs.vib.be

Home of the labs of @masscheleinlab, @michielslab, @raeslab, @verstrepenlab, Sibylle Vonesch and the lab of @sammy-pontrelli
✨ Day two, another round of brilliant science at #Microbes25! The second poster session brought more exciting discoveries and thoughtful discussions. Huge kudos to all researchers from our six labs for sharing their research!
@vibtrainconf.bsky.social, @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
How do you find new antibiotics hidden in plain sight? 🔬🧩
At #Microbes25, Hanne Vande Capelle of @vibmicrobes.bsky.social shares how she is engineering and screening sactipeptides — underexplored RiPPs with big antimicrobial potential.
🎥 Watch her pitch! #Microbes25 #Biotech
November 7, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
What if yeast could make the solvents of the future? 🧫✨
At #Microbes25, Quinten Deparis of @vibmicrobes.bsky.social shares how he and his colleagues are reprogramming microbes to build a greener chemistry — blending enzyme engineering, AI, and sustainability.
🎥 Watch his pitch! #SynBio #Biotech
November 6, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The start of the final plenary session of today #Microbes25 with a selected, beautiful talk by Fatima El Arnouki Belhaji (@masscheleinlab.bsky.social). She focused on charting the biosynthetic landscape and expanding the catalogue of bioactive specialized lipids.

📰 Read more here: lnkd.in/g_qqaJxg
November 6, 2025 at 4:06 PM
✨ What a wonderful first poster session today at #Microbes25!
Proud to see so many researchers from across our six labs showcasing their innovative and impactful science.

@vibtrainconf.bsky.social, @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social, @viblifesciences.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
🦠 Microbes are transforming our world — from sustainable foods to smart materials! At the 3rd #VIBconf on Emerging Applications of Microbes, we kick off with Colin Hill on bacteriophages & the microbiome. Tiny partnerships, huge impact. #Microbes25 #Microbiology #PhageBiology vibbio.tech/4hOqqBm
November 6, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Final week to register for the #Microbes25 conference! 🚀 Our OC members are buzzing with excitement!

Today, Prof. @masscheleinlab.bsky.social shares one of her top picks!

⏳ Final deadline to register is 23 Oct 2025 !
🌐 vibbio.tech/Microbes25

@vibtrainconf.bsky.social
October 17, 2025 at 11:41 AM
We are entering the final week to register for the #Microbes25 conference! 🚀 Our Organizing Committee members are already buzzing with excitement-and we asked them what they’re most looking forward to. A sneak peek at what’s in store!
⏳ Final deadline is 23 Oct 2025-don’t miss it!
🌐 lnkd.in/e2ywpSED
October 15, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
🍺 Explore the science of malting and brewing, take virtual tours of iconic Belgian breweries and learn from experts with our free online edX course!
📅 New run starts Nov 16 – perfect for students, professionals, or anyone passionate about brewing science.
🔗 Enroll now: www.edx.org/learn/beer/k...
KULeuvenX: Beer: the science of brewing | edX
Ever wondered why your beer tastes the way it does? Learn how the ingredients, different biochemical reactions and process parameters in beer brewing influence the taste and aroma of beer.
www.edx.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
Huge congratulations to our colleague @arnauvich.bsky.social for presenting his research on FODMAP restriction and gut microbiota in IBS patients at United European Gastroenterology Week 2025 in Berlin🇩🇪👏! #UEGWeek @myueg.bsky.social @vibmicrobes.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
Another great day at #UEGWeek 2025! 🎉Congratulations to our colleague Jorge Vazquez Castellanos for presenting his exciting work on microbial dysbiosis, inflammation, and the gut–brain axis in IBS at the United European Gastroenterology Week in Berlin🇩🇪 @myueg.bsky.social @vibmicrobes.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 10:01 AM
🎉 Congratulations to Joost and Laura on being awarded a @fwovlaanderen.bsky.social PhD fellowship!

✨ We wish them both a successful and inspiring PhD journey!

🔬 @verstrepenlab.bsky.social,
@masscheleinlab.bsky.social, @viblifesciences.bsky.social, @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social, UGhent
October 9, 2025 at 9:01 AM
🌍 Celebrating #InternationalMicroorganismDay with a spotlight on BIOPET 🐾🌱 — part of @viblifesciences.bsky.social Grand Challenges program.
🔬 Great to see the labs of @verstrepenlab.bsky.social and Sibylle Vonesch explore Yarrowia yeast to help create more sustainable pet food!
🔗 lnkd.in/g_qbUXbR
September 17, 2025 at 1:22 PM
🥳 Congrats to Hans Gerstmans (@masscheleinlab, @viblifesciences, @kuleuvenuniversity) on receiving the EQT Foundation 2025 Women’s Health Grant to develop a bacterial biosensor targeting BRCA1/2 breast cancer!
🔗 eqtgroup.com/news/eqt-foundation-announces-2025-womens-health-grant-recipients
EQT Foundation announces 2025 Women’s Health Grant recipients
EQT Foundation funds 11 breakthrough projects advancing women’s health in diagnostics, therapies, fertility, maternal care, and cancer.
eqtgroup.com
September 16, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
Proud to share our comprehensive literature review on application potential, chemical synthesis and microbial production of α-ketoglutaric acid @chemsocrev.rsc.org

pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
α-Ketoglutaric acid as a promising platform chemical for sustainable bio-based industries
The chemical industry is gradually shifting from fossil-derived resources to more sustainable bio-based processes. Natural bio-molecules such as succinic, lactic, and itaconic acid are promising platf...
pubs.rsc.org
September 2, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
Exams = stress. 📚 Our new study shows that a probiotic strain (L. rhamnosus CNCM I-3690) modulated the gut microbiome during academic stress, with ties to lower anxiety.

🔗 Vázquez-Castellanos et al. doi.org/10.1038/s415...
Probiotic-mediated modulation of gut microbiome in students exposed to academic stress: a randomized controlled trial - npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
npj Biofilms and Microbiomes - Probiotic-mediated modulation of gut microbiome in students exposed to academic stress: a randomized controlled trial
doi.org
September 1, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
Interested in improving microbes for sustainable food and biofuel production? Or keen on studying evolution and gene regulation using yeast?

🚨 We are seeking two enthusiastic lab technicians to join our dynamic, international team!
More info & to apply, here 👇
www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo...
Laboratoriumtechnoloog – Microbiologie/Biotechnologie
Laboratoriumtechnoloog Microbiologie
www.kuleuven.be
August 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
Calling all #Microbes25 enthusiasts, it’s time to show off your finest science. Do not leave it trapped in your lab. Submit your abstract by September 4 & have a chance to win the Nature Microbiology Poster Prize: vibbio.tech/3UQkrkN.

@natmicrobiol.nature.com

#MicrobialBiotech #MicrobialEcology
August 19, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
Want to attend #Microbes25, but travel costs are holding you back? Our travel grants are here to help, but the deadline is today.

🧳Join your colleagues by applying before it’s too late and attend without the financial stress: vibbio.tech/46z4Tco

#MicrobialBiotech #microbes #MicrobialEcology
August 13, 2025 at 7:30 AM
🎉 Congratulations to Luca Tiraboschi on being awarded an @embo.org scientific exchange grant, joining the group of Sibylle Vonesch to collaborate on developing novel gene editing techniques! (@kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social, @viblifesciences.bsky.social)
August 8, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
Want to join us at #Microbes25, but worried about travel costs? We’ve got you covered.
Next week is your last chance to apply for a travel grant. Don’t let this opportunity slip away.
🛬Final boarding call for a front row seat, apply here: vibbio.tech/40Rno8b #MicrobialBiotech #microbes #VIBConf
August 5, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
🚀📄 Our lab is making the most of summer—another paper published! In this one, Sasha and the team managed to valorize a byproduct stream in bioethanol fermentation, laying the groundwork toward sustainable, high-value bioproduction.
Read all about it here👇: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for co-production of ethanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol from sugarcane molasses
3-Methyl-1-butanol (3MB) is a promising renewable solvent, drop-in fuel, and precursor for various industrial products, including flavors, fragrances, and surfactants. Due to the myriad of intertwined...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
August 7, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
We're hiring a postdoc!🚨

Study human-associated microbial communities in health & disease.

🔬Requirements:
- PhD in bioinformatics, microbiology, or related field
- Expertise in omics data analysis
- Micro & molecular bio techniques are a plus!

Apply now!🌟
jobs.vib.be/j/119682/pos...
Postdoctoral position in human gut microbiome and bioinformatics - VIB
About the Lab Thelab of JeroenRaes(VIB, KU Leuven) is home to a vibrant, dynamic and international group of researchers in the field of gut microbial ecology and its
jobs.vib.be
July 23, 2025 at 6:43 AM
🚨 We're hiring at the Vonesch lab!
Excited about CRISPR technology development, HT genetic screens, and exploring fundamental questions in genetics? Apply here!

🔬 Postdoctoral Researcher
jobs.vib.be/j/117184/pos...
🧪 Research Technician
jobs.vib.be/j/117186/res...
August 5, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Reposted by VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology
📃🥳 Excited to share our new paper! Jolien and colleagues highlight the power of combining biodiversity with precision metabolic engineering for sustainable microbial bioproduction.
Read all about it 👇: microbialcellfactories.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
#Kluyveromyces #LacticAcid #Bioplastics
Metabolic engineering and adaptive laboratory evolution of Kluyveromyces Marxianus for lactic acid production - Microbial Cell Factories
Background Poly lactic acid (PLA) is one of the most promising bioplastics due to its interesting mechanical and physical properties, low carbon footprint, and biodegradability. PLA is produced from l...
microbialcellfactories.biomedcentral.com
August 5, 2025 at 8:32 AM