Julie A. K. McDonald
@julieakmcdonald.bsky.social
Associate Professor at the CBRB at Imperial College London. Studying how gut microbiota-mediated colonisation resistance protects the host against infections. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/people/julie.mcdonald
Pinned
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci utilise antibiotic-enriched nutrients for intestinal colonisation - Nature Communications
Here, the authors show that vancomycin-resistant enterococci grow in the antibiotic-treated gut microbiome by utilising enriched nutrients in the presence of reduced concentrations of inhibitory micro...
doi.org
So excited to share a new paper from my lab just published in Nature Communications! We showed that vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) occupied distinct intestinal niches in the antibiotic-treated intestine. doi.org/10.1038/s414... Amazing work by first author Olivia King and colleagues!
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
Now published! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Very nice collaboration with Hoogenboom ( @ucl.ac.uk ) and Bonev ( @uniofnottingham.bsky.social ) labs.
Very nice collaboration with Hoogenboom ( @ucl.ac.uk ) and Bonev ( @uniofnottingham.bsky.social ) labs.
September 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Now published! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Very nice collaboration with Hoogenboom ( @ucl.ac.uk ) and Bonev ( @uniofnottingham.bsky.social ) labs.
Very nice collaboration with Hoogenboom ( @ucl.ac.uk ) and Bonev ( @uniofnottingham.bsky.social ) labs.
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
I am looking for a motivated #Postdoctoral #Researcher to join my group at Imperial @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @imperiallifesci.bsky.social. The project focuses on #Antimicrobial #Materials & #Biomimetic #Interfaces
Please repost!
@imperialsci.bsky.social
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
Please repost!
@imperialsci.bsky.social
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
Description
Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities ment...
www.imperial.ac.uk
September 19, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I am looking for a motivated #Postdoctoral #Researcher to join my group at Imperial @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social @imperiallifesci.bsky.social. The project focuses on #Antimicrobial #Materials & #Biomimetic #Interfaces
Please repost!
@imperialsci.bsky.social
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
Please repost!
@imperialsci.bsky.social
www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
🎉 Delighted to share the first pre-print from my lab where we demonstrate that intergenic DNA repeats mediate phase variation of the mucoid phenotype in hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #klebclub
Simple Sequence Repeats Mediate Phase Variation of the Mucoid Phenotype in Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae
Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (HVKp) express a thick mucoid capsular polysaccharide which is essential for virulence and survival in the bloodstream but inhibits epithelial adhesion and invasion...
www.biorxiv.org
September 15, 2025 at 9:51 AM
🎉 Delighted to share the first pre-print from my lab where we demonstrate that intergenic DNA repeats mediate phase variation of the mucoid phenotype in hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #klebclub
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
If you are UK-based and working on any aspect of microbiomes (human, plant, insect, soil, animal, ...), please do sign up to Microbiome-Net for details of networking, funding and training opportunities.
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
September 13, 2025 at 6:31 AM
If you are UK-based and working on any aspect of microbiomes (human, plant, insect, soil, animal, ...), please do sign up to Microbiome-Net for details of networking, funding and training opportunities.
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
Honoured to speak on #FMT #LBPs at the #EHMSG meeting today in session with Nicolas Benech and Jens Walter. Thanks to Gianluca Ianiro for organising, and for even getting a @nobelprize.bsky.social winner for Physics to speak to us, Giorgio Parisi! @imperialmdr.bsky.social #microbiomeclinicians
September 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Honoured to speak on #FMT #LBPs at the #EHMSG meeting today in session with Nicolas Benech and Jens Walter. Thanks to Gianluca Ianiro for organising, and for even getting a @nobelprize.bsky.social winner for Physics to speak to us, Giorgio Parisi! @imperialmdr.bsky.social #microbiomeclinicians
Read about our recently published paper on vancomycin-resistant enterococci and the gut microbiome in this news article from @imperiallifesci.bsky.social
www.imperial.ac.uk/news/267313/...
www.imperial.ac.uk/news/267313/...
Gut bacteria could help block the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs | Imperial News | Imperial College London
New research shows antibiotics upset the gut microbiome, allowing drug-resistant pathogens to spread, but restoring microbial balance could stop them.
www.imperial.ac.uk
August 13, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Read about our recently published paper on vancomycin-resistant enterococci and the gut microbiome in this news article from @imperiallifesci.bsky.social
www.imperial.ac.uk/news/267313/...
www.imperial.ac.uk/news/267313/...
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
Very pleased to see this out in @cmijournal.bsky.social - what non-antimicrobial options are there for recurrent #UTI, and what might be the role for #FMT? www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S119... @rohmaghani.bsky.social @imperialmdr.bsky.social @imperialbrc.bsky.social #MicroSky
https://clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S1198-…
July 29, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Very pleased to see this out in @cmijournal.bsky.social - what non-antimicrobial options are there for recurrent #UTI, and what might be the role for #FMT? www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S119... @rohmaghani.bsky.social @imperialmdr.bsky.social @imperialbrc.bsky.social #MicroSky
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
New paper from my amazing lab, led by my incredible postdoc, @bdmicro.bsky.social
A Canadian study that is highly relevant to beekeepers everywhere. Check it out! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A Canadian study that is highly relevant to beekeepers everywhere. Check it out! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Impacts of antibiotic use, air pollution and climate on managed honeybees in Canada - Nature Sustainability
Antibiotic use in managed bee populations prevents losses from infectious diseases but can lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Here the authors study the impact of recent regulatory restri...
www.nature.com
July 29, 2025 at 7:24 PM
New paper from my amazing lab, led by my incredible postdoc, @bdmicro.bsky.social
A Canadian study that is highly relevant to beekeepers everywhere. Check it out! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A Canadian study that is highly relevant to beekeepers everywhere. Check it out! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In case you missed it, check out our latest paper describing how vancomycin-resistant enterococci exploit antibiotic-mediated killing of gut commensals to grow in nutrient-enriched and metabolite-depleted intestines: doi.org/10.1038/s414... #AMR #GutMicrobiome
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci utilise antibiotic-enriched nutrients for intestinal colonisation - Nature Communications
Here, the authors show that vancomycin-resistant enterococci grow in the antibiotic-treated gut microbiome by utilising enriched nutrients in the presence of reduced concentrations of inhibitory micro...
doi.org
July 22, 2025 at 9:12 AM
In case you missed it, check out our latest paper describing how vancomycin-resistant enterococci exploit antibiotic-mediated killing of gut commensals to grow in nutrient-enriched and metabolite-depleted intestines: doi.org/10.1038/s414... #AMR #GutMicrobiome
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
Great to see this work from Shiv Radhakrishnan and colleagues out in #GutMicrobes - using network analysis to explore #microbiome #metabolome interactions in an #IBD inception cohort: doi.org/10.1080/1949... @imperialmdr.bsky.social @imperialhepatology.bsky.social #IBDSky #GISky
doi.org
July 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Great to see this work from Shiv Radhakrishnan and colleagues out in #GutMicrobes - using network analysis to explore #microbiome #metabolome interactions in an #IBD inception cohort: doi.org/10.1080/1949... @imperialmdr.bsky.social @imperialhepatology.bsky.social #IBDSky #GISky
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
V nice study this. VRE growth in gut microbiome relies on different short chain fatty acids, which are themselves modulated by antibiotic exposure.
Complex but important to understand how antibiotic resistant bacteria persist in microbiome
@natcomms.nature.com 🧪 #AMR #ClinMicro #IDSky #UTISky
Complex but important to understand how antibiotic resistant bacteria persist in microbiome
@natcomms.nature.com 🧪 #AMR #ClinMicro #IDSky #UTISky
July 11, 2025 at 5:38 AM
V nice study this. VRE growth in gut microbiome relies on different short chain fatty acids, which are themselves modulated by antibiotic exposure.
Complex but important to understand how antibiotic resistant bacteria persist in microbiome
@natcomms.nature.com 🧪 #AMR #ClinMicro #IDSky #UTISky
Complex but important to understand how antibiotic resistant bacteria persist in microbiome
@natcomms.nature.com 🧪 #AMR #ClinMicro #IDSky #UTISky
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
Vancomycin-resistant 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙤𝙘𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙪𝙢 (VRE) thrives in the antibiotic-perturbed gut
VRE gobbles up enriched sugars and amino acids, and loss of short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, butyrate) eliminates natural growth brakes
Therapeutic angle: Prebiotic SCFA mixtures block VRE growth!
VRE gobbles up enriched sugars and amino acids, and loss of short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, butyrate) eliminates natural growth brakes
Therapeutic angle: Prebiotic SCFA mixtures block VRE growth!
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci utilise antibiotic-enriched nutrients for intestinal colonisation - Nature Communications
Here, the authors show that vancomycin-resistant enterococci grow in the antibiotic-treated gut microbiome by utilising enriched nutrients in the presence of reduced concentrations of inhibitory micro...
www.nature.com
July 11, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Vancomycin-resistant 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙤𝙘𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙪𝙢 (VRE) thrives in the antibiotic-perturbed gut
VRE gobbles up enriched sugars and amino acids, and loss of short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, butyrate) eliminates natural growth brakes
Therapeutic angle: Prebiotic SCFA mixtures block VRE growth!
VRE gobbles up enriched sugars and amino acids, and loss of short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, butyrate) eliminates natural growth brakes
Therapeutic angle: Prebiotic SCFA mixtures block VRE growth!
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
A great privilege to work with @julieakmcdonald.bsky.social lab on this new paper, now out in @natureportfolio.nature.com Communications - how #antibiotic-related changes in gut #nutrients and #metabolites promote #VRE colonisation: doi.org/10.1038/s414... @imperialmdr.bsky.social
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467…
July 10, 2025 at 8:57 PM
A great privilege to work with @julieakmcdonald.bsky.social lab on this new paper, now out in @natureportfolio.nature.com Communications - how #antibiotic-related changes in gut #nutrients and #metabolites promote #VRE colonisation: doi.org/10.1038/s414... @imperialmdr.bsky.social
So excited to share a new paper from my lab just published in Nature Communications! We showed that vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) occupied distinct intestinal niches in the antibiotic-treated intestine. doi.org/10.1038/s414... Amazing work by first author Olivia King and colleagues!
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci utilise antibiotic-enriched nutrients for intestinal colonisation - Nature Communications
Here, the authors show that vancomycin-resistant enterococci grow in the antibiotic-treated gut microbiome by utilising enriched nutrients in the presence of reduced concentrations of inhibitory micro...
doi.org
July 14, 2025 at 9:11 AM
So excited to share a new paper from my lab just published in Nature Communications! We showed that vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) occupied distinct intestinal niches in the antibiotic-treated intestine. doi.org/10.1038/s414... Amazing work by first author Olivia King and colleagues!
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
Today, Professor Donal Wall, @uofglasgow.bsky.social attended a pitch session as part of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's 'Under the Microscope' inquiry to explain why they should be interested in microbiomes.
July 1, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Today, Professor Donal Wall, @uofglasgow.bsky.social attended a pitch session as part of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's 'Under the Microscope' inquiry to explain why they should be interested in microbiomes.
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
Newly published study by Prof Lindsay Hall @halllab.bsky.social and Prof Willem van Schaik @wvschaik.bsky.social finding that antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus bacteria are common in premature babies
www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/wi...
www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/wi...
June 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Newly published study by Prof Lindsay Hall @halllab.bsky.social and Prof Willem van Schaik @wvschaik.bsky.social finding that antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus bacteria are common in premature babies
www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/wi...
www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2025/wi...
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
We are looking for a new postdoctoral fellow to join our team at NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, near Research Triangle Park. If you are interested please DM me and or also apply here: jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/219...
PostDoc Research Fellow - Gut Microbiology - Theriot Lab
A postdoctoral scientist position (1+ years) is available in Prof. Casey Theriot’s group at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSU CVM).Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe suc...
jobs.ncsu.edu
June 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
We are looking for a new postdoctoral fellow to join our team at NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, near Research Triangle Park. If you are interested please DM me and or also apply here: jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/219...
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
🔬🦠 How to make sense of the taxonomic complexity & interpersonal variability of the gut microbiota? We propose that beneath this complexity lies a hierarchy of factors that control gut microbiota assembly. Read more! #Microbiome #GutHealth
authors.elsevier.com/a/1km32_,2Ci...
authors.elsevier.com/a/1km32_,2Ci...
March 14, 2025 at 5:40 PM
🔬🦠 How to make sense of the taxonomic complexity & interpersonal variability of the gut microbiota? We propose that beneath this complexity lies a hierarchy of factors that control gut microbiota assembly. Read more! #Microbiome #GutHealth
authors.elsevier.com/a/1km32_,2Ci...
authors.elsevier.com/a/1km32_,2Ci...
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
New pre print! We establish an ex vivo blood vessel model to investigate the effect of infection on vascular physiology in real time. We show Klebsiella inhibits vasodilation in a T6SS-dependent manner by targeting eNOs. Superb work by @safimicro.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Klebsiella pneumoniae disrupts vasodilation by targeting eNOS post translational modifications via the type VI secretion system and the capsule polysaccharide
Vasodilation is a crucial protective response to inflammation and infection. Endothelial cells control vasodilation through the bioavailability of eNOS-produced nitric oxide (NO), and the generation o...
www.biorxiv.org
February 6, 2025 at 9:15 AM
New pre print! We establish an ex vivo blood vessel model to investigate the effect of infection on vascular physiology in real time. We show Klebsiella inhibits vasodilation in a T6SS-dependent manner by targeting eNOs. Superb work by @safimicro.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
9 more days to apply to the #PostDoc position to join our @microclockerc.bsky.social ERC Synergy project if you have background in high throughput cloning and genetic modification of model bacteria
Expertise with liquid handling robots, HTP screening, cloning is preferred!
tinyurl.com/2d2c8fe5
Expertise with liquid handling robots, HTP screening, cloning is preferred!
tinyurl.com/2d2c8fe5
January 8, 2025 at 1:24 PM
9 more days to apply to the #PostDoc position to join our @microclockerc.bsky.social ERC Synergy project if you have background in high throughput cloning and genetic modification of model bacteria
Expertise with liquid handling robots, HTP screening, cloning is preferred!
tinyurl.com/2d2c8fe5
Expertise with liquid handling robots, HTP screening, cloning is preferred!
tinyurl.com/2d2c8fe5
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
Great to work with the lab of @julieakmcdonald.bsky.social and see this preprint out on @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social, looking at how nutrient availability and microbial #metabolites impact #VRE colonisation in the #antibiotic treated gut: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #MicroSky #GastroSky
December 13, 2024 at 3:27 PM
Great to work with the lab of @julieakmcdonald.bsky.social and see this preprint out on @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social, looking at how nutrient availability and microbial #metabolites impact #VRE colonisation in the #antibiotic treated gut: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #MicroSky #GastroSky
I’m excited to share a new preprint from our lab! We showed that vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonise antibiotic-treated intestines by occupying distinct nutrient- and metabolite-defined intestinal niches. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus colonise the antibiotic-treated intestine by occupying distinct nutrient- and metabolite-defined intestinal niches
Antibiotic treatment significantly disrupts the gut microbiome and promotes vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) intestinal colonisation. These disruptions lead to the intestine acting as a reservo...
www.biorxiv.org
December 13, 2024 at 11:37 AM
I’m excited to share a new preprint from our lab! We showed that vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonise antibiotic-treated intestines by occupying distinct nutrient- and metabolite-defined intestinal niches. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
Feel like this paper slipped under the radar on ‘the other platform’ so giving it another airing here. Phage can significantly remodel the bacteriome in faecal samples - yet another confounder 🙄 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Dynamic nature of viral and bacterial communities in human faeces
Bacteriophages are a major component of the gut microbiome and are believed to play a role in establishment and stabilization of microbial communities…
www.sciencedirect.com
December 4, 2024 at 1:29 PM
Feel like this paper slipped under the radar on ‘the other platform’ so giving it another airing here. Phage can significantly remodel the bacteriome in faecal samples - yet another confounder 🙄 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
Job Fairy
Our MRC UK-China AMR project DETECTIVE-II needs a post doc. Please reach out if you are interested
edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Our MRC UK-China AMR project DETECTIVE-II needs a post doc. Please reach out if you are interested
edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Research Fellow - Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes - 104952 - Grade 7
To take a lead role in the development and delivery of an MRC funded UK-China research network on antimicrobial resistance epidemiology
edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
November 29, 2024 at 4:20 PM
Job Fairy
Our MRC UK-China AMR project DETECTIVE-II needs a post doc. Please reach out if you are interested
edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Our MRC UK-China AMR project DETECTIVE-II needs a post doc. Please reach out if you are interested
edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Reposted by Julie A. K. McDonald
Please Share. Postdoc available with me on Pollinator Microbiomes. To develop/engineer microbial communities that protect bees from stressors. Collaborating with Quinn McFrederick (UCR) & Marc-Emmanuel Dumas (Imperial). www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-jobs/description/index.php?jobId=21816
Description
Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities ment...
www.imperial.ac.uk
November 14, 2024 at 11:23 AM
Please Share. Postdoc available with me on Pollinator Microbiomes. To develop/engineer microbial communities that protect bees from stressors. Collaborating with Quinn McFrederick (UCR) & Marc-Emmanuel Dumas (Imperial). www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-jobs/description/index.php?jobId=21816