James Mason
@profjamesmason.bsky.social
Associate Dean Impact & Innovation Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London
Antimicrobials (mostly peptides), nucleic acid delivery, microbial metabolomics
Antimicrobials (mostly peptides), nucleic acid delivery, microbial metabolomics
Pinned
James Mason
@profjamesmason.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Emergent conformational and aggregation properties of synergistic antimicrobial peptide combinations
Synergy between antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) may be the key to their evolutionary success and could be exploited to develop more potent antibacterial agents. One of the factors thought to be essentia...
pubs.rsc.org
Final published version of Miruna and Chris' (and my) first study using machine learning to identify behaviour of #antimicrobialpeptides that only emerges when used in combinations. Is this a key property that keeps AMPs effective throughout evolutionary history? pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
Reposted by James Mason
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure. A really informative article, perfect for a weekend coffee read. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:21 AM
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure. A really informative article, perfect for a weekend coffee read. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by James Mason
What if ICU doctors could diagnose infections in hours, not days?
A new test, developed from a PhD project at King's, now makes this possible.🔬
🔗 www.kcl.ac.uk/metagenomics...
A new test, developed from a PhD project at King's, now makes this possible.🔬
🔗 www.kcl.ac.uk/metagenomics...
Metagenomics testing: From PhD project to the ICU
A new diagnostic test that can detect a broad range of microorganisms in a single sample and give same-day results has been shown to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with…
www.kcl.ac.uk
October 2, 2025 at 8:36 AM
What if ICU doctors could diagnose infections in hours, not days?
A new test, developed from a PhD project at King's, now makes this possible.🔬
🔗 www.kcl.ac.uk/metagenomics...
A new test, developed from a PhD project at King's, now makes this possible.🔬
🔗 www.kcl.ac.uk/metagenomics...
Reposted by James Mason
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.
Exciting to see what impact will come from this in how all cause lung injuries are treated in the future.
A widely available and affordable drug has been shown to be effective in treating seriously ill COVID-19 patients, according to a new international study led by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) in collaboration with King’s.
Read more: www.kcl.ac.uk/news/low-cos...
Read more: www.kcl.ac.uk/news/low-cos...
September 29, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Exciting to see what impact will come from this in how all cause lung injuries are treated in the future.
Reposted by James Mason
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 James Mason
Please share my 1 min video on the importance of maintaining NIH funding of infectious diseases and drug discovery research vs rising antibiotic resistance
Drastic budget cuts harm our health and imperil the next generation of scientists
More @UCSanDiego “Behind Every Breakthrough” bit.ly/3FlXQs3
Drastic budget cuts harm our health and imperil the next generation of scientists
More @UCSanDiego “Behind Every Breakthrough” bit.ly/3FlXQs3
August 7, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Please share my 1 min video on the importance of maintaining NIH funding of infectious diseases and drug discovery research vs rising antibiotic resistance
Drastic budget cuts harm our health and imperil the next generation of scientists
More @UCSanDiego “Behind Every Breakthrough” bit.ly/3FlXQs3
Drastic budget cuts harm our health and imperil the next generation of scientists
More @UCSanDiego “Behind Every Breakthrough” bit.ly/3FlXQs3
Reposted by James Mason
Impressive paper in 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦
Describes a new sensory modality: "𝙉𝙀𝙐𝙍𝙊𝘽𝙄𝙊𝙏𝙄𝘾 𝙎𝙀𝙉𝙎𝙀"
Links bacterial flagellin to appetite control
Gut-Brain Circuit: flagellin activates TLR5 on PYY+ neuropod cells that synapse onto vagal neurons → feeding suppressed independent of microbiota, immunity, or metabolism
Describes a new sensory modality: "𝙉𝙀𝙐𝙍𝙊𝘽𝙄𝙊𝙏𝙄𝘾 𝙎𝙀𝙉𝙎𝙀"
Links bacterial flagellin to appetite control
Gut-Brain Circuit: flagellin activates TLR5 on PYY+ neuropod cells that synapse onto vagal neurons → feeding suppressed independent of microbiota, immunity, or metabolism
A gut sense for a microbial pattern regulates feeding - Nature
A study reveals a gut–brain sensory pathway through which the microbial component flagellin activates neuropod cells in the colon to signal the brain and reduce feeding in mice.
www.nature.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Impressive paper in 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦
Describes a new sensory modality: "𝙉𝙀𝙐𝙍𝙊𝘽𝙄𝙊𝙏𝙄𝘾 𝙎𝙀𝙉𝙎𝙀"
Links bacterial flagellin to appetite control
Gut-Brain Circuit: flagellin activates TLR5 on PYY+ neuropod cells that synapse onto vagal neurons → feeding suppressed independent of microbiota, immunity, or metabolism
Describes a new sensory modality: "𝙉𝙀𝙐𝙍𝙊𝘽𝙄𝙊𝙏𝙄𝘾 𝙎𝙀𝙉𝙎𝙀"
Links bacterial flagellin to appetite control
Gut-Brain Circuit: flagellin activates TLR5 on PYY+ neuropod cells that synapse onto vagal neurons → feeding suppressed independent of microbiota, immunity, or metabolism
Reposted by James Mason
If high quality treatment is provided to everyone with bacterial infections + innovative new antibiotics funded ...
By 2050:
Health costs ⬇️ $97 billion
The economy ⬆️ $960 billion
Generated health benefits 🟰 $680 billion to countries
Return on Investment 🟰 28 to 1
www.cgdev.org/publication/...
By 2050:
Health costs ⬇️ $97 billion
The economy ⬆️ $960 billion
Generated health benefits 🟰 $680 billion to countries
Return on Investment 🟰 28 to 1
www.cgdev.org/publication/...
July 21, 2025 at 4:45 PM
If high quality treatment is provided to everyone with bacterial infections + innovative new antibiotics funded ...
By 2050:
Health costs ⬇️ $97 billion
The economy ⬆️ $960 billion
Generated health benefits 🟰 $680 billion to countries
Return on Investment 🟰 28 to 1
www.cgdev.org/publication/...
By 2050:
Health costs ⬇️ $97 billion
The economy ⬆️ $960 billion
Generated health benefits 🟰 $680 billion to countries
Return on Investment 🟰 28 to 1
www.cgdev.org/publication/...
Reposted by James Mason
It is time to improve diagnostics of Urinary Tract Infections! We developed a new technology that can work out which antibiotic would be best suited to treat UTIs in 40 hours that it currently takes.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Rapid impedance-based Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (iFAST) of Enterobacterales in urinary tract infections
Evidence-based antibiotic prescribing for urinary tract infections (UTIs) would increase treatment success and improve antibiotic stewardship. Current…
www.sciencedirect.com
July 21, 2025 at 8:40 AM
It is time to improve diagnostics of Urinary Tract Infections! We developed a new technology that can work out which antibiotic would be best suited to treat UTIs in 40 hours that it currently takes.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by James Mason
Excited to see this trial published & related BBC feature
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I was very peripherally involved, but it could be huge for antimicrobial resistance
Amazing work Blair Merrick & Simon Goldenberg @gstt-nhs.bsky.social @kingslsm.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I was very peripherally involved, but it could be huge for antimicrobial resistance
Amazing work Blair Merrick & Simon Goldenberg @gstt-nhs.bsky.social @kingslsm.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
Doctors use poo pills to flush out dangerous superbugs
Can a dose of good bacteria clear superbugs from their hiding place in the bowels?
www.bbc.co.uk
June 8, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Excited to see this trial published & related BBC feature
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I was very peripherally involved, but it could be huge for antimicrobial resistance
Amazing work Blair Merrick & Simon Goldenberg @gstt-nhs.bsky.social @kingslsm.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I was very peripherally involved, but it could be huge for antimicrobial resistance
Amazing work Blair Merrick & Simon Goldenberg @gstt-nhs.bsky.social @kingslsm.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
Reposted by James Mason
We are pleased to announce a new clinical research fellowship at King’s to advance the nation’s metabolic health in honour of British broadcaster, author, and science journalist Dr Michael Mosley.
@kingslsm.bsky.social | @kclalumni.bsky.social
@kingslsm.bsky.social | @kclalumni.bsky.social
May 31, 2025 at 8:16 AM
We are pleased to announce a new clinical research fellowship at King’s to advance the nation’s metabolic health in honour of British broadcaster, author, and science journalist Dr Michael Mosley.
@kingslsm.bsky.social | @kclalumni.bsky.social
@kingslsm.bsky.social | @kclalumni.bsky.social
Reposted by James Mason
A new report has found that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) feel like ‘second class citizens’.
Launched today at the House of Commons, the report sets out the stark reality people with COPD face in securing diagnosis & accessing care.
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/people-...
Launched today at the House of Commons, the report sets out the stark reality people with COPD face in securing diagnosis & accessing care.
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/people-...
People with COPD feel like 'second class citizens', finds new report
A report from King’s College London sets out the stark reality people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) face in securing diagnosis and accessing care.
www.kcl.ac.uk
May 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
A new report has found that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) feel like ‘second class citizens’.
Launched today at the House of Commons, the report sets out the stark reality people with COPD face in securing diagnosis & accessing care.
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/people-...
Launched today at the House of Commons, the report sets out the stark reality people with COPD face in securing diagnosis & accessing care.
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/people-...
Reposted by James Mason
Two thirds of adults were able to eat peanuts without an allergic reaction after taking part in ‘groundbreaking research’ at @kingslsm.bsky.social and @gstt-nhs.bsky.social.
The study used daily doses of peanuts to desensitise patients with life-long allergy.
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/daily-d...
The study used daily doses of peanuts to desensitise patients with life-long allergy.
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/daily-d...
Daily doses of peanuts tackle allergic reactions in adults
The first clinical trial to test whether adults allergic to peanuts can be desensitised has shown great success with two thirds of the cohort consuming the equivalent of four peanuts without reacting.
www.kcl.ac.uk
April 24, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Two thirds of adults were able to eat peanuts without an allergic reaction after taking part in ‘groundbreaking research’ at @kingslsm.bsky.social and @gstt-nhs.bsky.social.
The study used daily doses of peanuts to desensitise patients with life-long allergy.
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/daily-d...
The study used daily doses of peanuts to desensitise patients with life-long allergy.
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/daily-d...
Some important ground work for studying metabolism of the vaginal microbiota
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Metabolism of Lactobacillus and Gardnerella vaginalis in vaginal defined media
Lactobacilli and Gardnerella vaginalis are key bacteria within the vaginal microbiota, significantly impacting its chemical environment. Accurately reproducing vaginal bacteria metabolism in vitro is ...
www.biorxiv.org
April 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Some important ground work for studying metabolism of the vaginal microbiota
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by James Mason
Polymyxin B lethality requires energy-dependent outer membrane disruption
New preprint in collaboration with colleagues @ucl.ac.uk and @uniofnottingham.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
New preprint in collaboration with colleagues @ucl.ac.uk and @uniofnottingham.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Polymyxin B lethality requires energy-dependent outer membrane disruption
www.biorxiv.org
April 17, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Polymyxin B lethality requires energy-dependent outer membrane disruption
New preprint in collaboration with colleagues @ucl.ac.uk and @uniofnottingham.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
New preprint in collaboration with colleagues @ucl.ac.uk and @uniofnottingham.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We are recruiting again - 20 AI+ Academic Fellowships www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/role/ki...
King's AI+ Academic Fellowships (leading to an open-ended academic post)
King’s is making a major strategic investment into driving AI activity across our nine academic Faculties. Our ambition is to accelerate growth in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven research...
www.kcl.ac.uk
March 26, 2025 at 5:02 PM
We are recruiting again - 20 AI+ Academic Fellowships www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/role/ki...
Arguably the impact agenda driven by REF (which determines QR funding) is one of the more important levers for driving the benefits to the economy and the NHS that government desires.
UK research council leaders are bracing for cuts to quality-related (QR) research funding of up to £100 million a year ahead of next week’s Spring Statement – a move likely to lead to a fresh round of redundancies at UK universities, reports @jgro-the.bsky.social
#AcademicSky #EduSky
#AcademicSky #EduSky
Job fears grow as Research England models £100 million QR cut
Loss of almost 8 per cent of mainstream quality-related funding feared amid concerns that Spring Statement will deepen sector funding crisis
www.timeshighereducation.com
March 19, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Arguably the impact agenda driven by REF (which determines QR funding) is one of the more important levers for driving the benefits to the economy and the NHS that government desires.
Applications are open now for the King's Prize Fellowship. These provide salary and up to £30k consumables for up to 24 months. @kingslsm.bsky.social is one of the best places in the world to start your independent biomedical or health-related research career. www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/108525-...
www.kcl.ac.uk
March 2, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Applications are open now for the King's Prize Fellowship. These provide salary and up to £30k consumables for up to 24 months. @kingslsm.bsky.social is one of the best places in the world to start your independent biomedical or health-related research career. www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/108525-...
Substantial academic recruitment @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social in AI (up to 7 positions) and in physical sciences of life and/or engineering biology (up to 4 positions)
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/interdi...
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/interdi...
Academic opportunities in interdisciplinary sciences
We are delighted to announce exciting new opportunities to join our dynamic and interdisciplinary scientific community, as part of a major expansion of science across King’s.
www.kcl.ac.uk
February 25, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Substantial academic recruitment @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social in AI (up to 7 positions) and in physical sciences of life and/or engineering biology (up to 4 positions)
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/interdi...
www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/interdi...
Reposted by James Mason
New online! The role of bacterial metabolism in antimicrobial resistance
The role of bacterial metabolism in antimicrobial resistance
Nature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 20 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41579-025-01155-0In this Review, Ahmad et al. examine how antibiotics influence bacterial metabolism and how metabolism, in turn, affects drug efficacy and the emergence and…
www.nature.com
February 20, 2025 at 3:12 PM
New online! The role of bacterial metabolism in antimicrobial resistance
Reposted by James Mason
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝗠𝗥
Staphylococcus aureus evolves antibiotic resistance rapidly in diabetic mice, as hyperglycemia aids the expansion and takeover of resistant mutants
VISA strains have a large fitness defect in control mice but not in diabetic mice
➡️ www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Staphylococcus aureus evolves antibiotic resistance rapidly in diabetic mice, as hyperglycemia aids the expansion and takeover of resistant mutants
VISA strains have a large fitness defect in control mice but not in diabetic mice
➡️ www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Diabetes potentiates the emergence and expansion of antibiotic resistance
Diabetic infections are a reservoir for the emergence and proliferation of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus.
www.science.org
February 13, 2025 at 5:09 AM
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝗠𝗥
Staphylococcus aureus evolves antibiotic resistance rapidly in diabetic mice, as hyperglycemia aids the expansion and takeover of resistant mutants
VISA strains have a large fitness defect in control mice but not in diabetic mice
➡️ www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Staphylococcus aureus evolves antibiotic resistance rapidly in diabetic mice, as hyperglycemia aids the expansion and takeover of resistant mutants
VISA strains have a large fitness defect in control mice but not in diabetic mice
➡️ www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by James Mason
Two new positions for group leaders working on #AMR at the Ineos Oxford Institute.
my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...
my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...
Job Details
my.corehr.com
February 5, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Two new positions for group leaders working on #AMR at the Ineos Oxford Institute.
my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...
my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...
Reposted by James Mason
Our latest manuscript is now available in Biochemistry @acs.org (bit.ly/3Ct1PSm) In it we show that C-terminal amidation of an antimicrobial peptide increases its conformational flexibility, which improves membrane penetration, leads to faster bacterial killing & better selectivity for pathogens.
January 29, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Our latest manuscript is now available in Biochemistry @acs.org (bit.ly/3Ct1PSm) In it we show that C-terminal amidation of an antimicrobial peptide increases its conformational flexibility, which improves membrane penetration, leads to faster bacterial killing & better selectivity for pathogens.
Reposted by James Mason
Tonight, we’re celebrating the Inaugural Lectures of Professor Maya Thanou and Professor Tomoki Arichi 🎓
Full details of the upcoming events in the series, along with recordings of previous lectures, can be found here: www.kcl.ac.uk/events/serie...
Full details of the upcoming events in the series, along with recordings of previous lectures, can be found here: www.kcl.ac.uk/events/serie...
January 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Tonight, we’re celebrating the Inaugural Lectures of Professor Maya Thanou and Professor Tomoki Arichi 🎓
Full details of the upcoming events in the series, along with recordings of previous lectures, can be found here: www.kcl.ac.uk/events/serie...
Full details of the upcoming events in the series, along with recordings of previous lectures, can be found here: www.kcl.ac.uk/events/serie...
Reposted by James Mason
Congratulations to Prof Tomoki Arichi, Deanne Naula, Kaat De Backer and Dr Abigail Easter from our Faculty who were winners at the 2025 King's Engaged Research Awards last week 👏
Follow the link to read more about their awards and public and community engagement work ⬇️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/winners...
Follow the link to read more about their awards and public and community engagement work ⬇️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/winners...
Winners announced for the 2025 King's Engaged Research Awards
The King’s Engaged Research Awards ceremony brought together staff, students and community partners to celebrate public and community engagement with research at King’s.
www.kcl.ac.uk
January 23, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Congratulations to Prof Tomoki Arichi, Deanne Naula, Kaat De Backer and Dr Abigail Easter from our Faculty who were winners at the 2025 King's Engaged Research Awards last week 👏
Follow the link to read more about their awards and public and community engagement work ⬇️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/winners...
Follow the link to read more about their awards and public and community engagement work ⬇️ www.kcl.ac.uk/news/winners...