Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social
Assoc. prof. at LUMC/@unileiden. Cdiff, DNA replication, AMR, microbiome, anaerobes. Clostpath Steering committee. Education officer ESGCD. Previously: @unigroningen and @mitofficial. https://sites.google.com/view/expbac-lumc/homepage
PolC inhibitors are new-to-nature; we saw no pre-existing resistance, and PolC inhibitors are active against drug resistant bacteria like VRE and MRSA. 7/9
November 6, 2025 at 10:34 AM
PolC inhibitors are new-to-nature; we saw no pre-existing resistance, and PolC inhibitors are active against drug resistant bacteria like VRE and MRSA. 7/9
We identify a key residue for susceptibility: a Phe, part of the induced binding pocket. The equivalent residue in #Cdiff also increases the MIC. Not all identified mutations have the same effects for all compounds or bacteria, suggesting that this is a feature that can be engineered. 6/9
November 6, 2025 at 10:33 AM
We identify a key residue for susceptibility: a Phe, part of the induced binding pocket. The equivalent residue in #Cdiff also increases the MIC. Not all identified mutations have the same effects for all compounds or bacteria, suggesting that this is a feature that can be engineered. 6/9
We generated structures of E. faecium PolC in the presence of DNA, with or without IBZ or ACX-801. The compounds sit where you would expect dGTP to be. Key finding: the inhibitors adopt a "hook" shape that slots into an induced pocket. 5/9
November 6, 2025 at 10:32 AM
We generated structures of E. faecium PolC in the presence of DNA, with or without IBZ or ACX-801. The compounds sit where you would expect dGTP to be. Key finding: the inhibitors adopt a "hook" shape that slots into an induced pocket. 5/9
Our work focuses on ibezapolstat (for treatment of #Cdifficile infections #CDI) and a novel compound from a series that is intended to target other pathogens, such as #VRE and #MRSA. This representative compound, ACX-801, was selected on the basis of excellent inhibition of PolC in vitro. 4/9
November 6, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Our work focuses on ibezapolstat (for treatment of #Cdifficile infections #CDI) and a novel compound from a series that is intended to target other pathogens, such as #VRE and #MRSA. This representative compound, ACX-801, was selected on the basis of excellent inhibition of PolC in vitro. 4/9
🌍 Today we celebrate #InternationalMicroorganismDay! 🦠 On this day in 1683, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek first described microorganisms—ushering in a new era of science. Thanks to #KNVM for the heads-up! www.internationalmicroorganismday.org
September 17, 2025 at 8:06 AM
🌍 Today we celebrate #InternationalMicroorganismDay! 🦠 On this day in 1683, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek first described microorganisms—ushering in a new era of science. Thanks to #KNVM for the heads-up! www.internationalmicroorganismday.org
Counting down to the #ESGCD webinar on #AMR of #Cdiff with contributions from Jane Freeman (U Leeds, UK), Taryn Eubank (U Houston, USA), Curtis Donskey (Cleveland VA Medical Center) and Andrea Brenciani (UnivPM, Italy) - Sept 30, 15-16h CET. Free to attend via us06web.zoom.us/j/8252782643...
September 12, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Counting down to the #ESGCD webinar on #AMR of #Cdiff with contributions from Jane Freeman (U Leeds, UK), Taryn Eubank (U Houston, USA), Curtis Donskey (Cleveland VA Medical Center) and Andrea Brenciani (UnivPM, Italy) - Sept 30, 15-16h CET. Free to attend via us06web.zoom.us/j/8252782643...
Caught a glimpse of the #lunareclipse between clouds.
September 7, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Caught a glimpse of the #lunareclipse between clouds.
Looking back at a great #clostpath2025, and ahead to #icds2026 (Bled) and #clostpath2027 (Rio de Janeiro).
September 5, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Looking back at a great #clostpath2025, and ahead to #icds2026 (Bled) and #clostpath2027 (Rio de Janeiro).
Wonderful display of #noctilucentclouds #nlc in Leiden, the Netherlands. Pictures from our balcony. June 29/30, 2025.
June 30, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Wonderful display of #noctilucentclouds #nlc in Leiden, the Netherlands. Pictures from our balcony. June 29/30, 2025.
Also with picture!
June 5, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Also with picture!
Now engineering phages with Anirudh Jakhmola from @robfagan.bsky.social lab at @sheffielduni.bsky.social #3cdf
June 5, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Now engineering phages with Anirudh Jakhmola from @robfagan.bsky.social lab at @sheffielduni.bsky.social #3cdf
Next up: Marion Saunier @univparissaclay.bsky.social on an abortive infection system AbiF in #cdiff #3cdf
June 5, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Next up: Marion Saunier @univparissaclay.bsky.social on an abortive infection system AbiF in #cdiff #3cdf
June 5, 2025 at 9:12 AM
June 5, 2025 at 9:09 AM
June 5, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Starting day 2 of #3cdf in Newcastle with Aurelie Lotoux @pasteur.fr
June 5, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Starting day 2 of #3cdf in Newcastle with Aurelie Lotoux @pasteur.fr
Now keynote Mónica Serrano @itqbnova.bsky.social - time for spores! #3cdf
June 4, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Now keynote Mónica Serrano @itqbnova.bsky.social - time for spores! #3cdf
June 4, 2025 at 2:58 PM
@pssalgado.bsky.social opening the #3cdf meeting in Newcastle
June 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM
@pssalgado.bsky.social opening the #3cdf meeting in Newcastle
May 12, 2025 at 11:05 PM
On the way back from two days of exciting talks on #LBPs www.dzif.de/en/event/2nd...
April 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
On the way back from two days of exciting talks on #LBPs www.dzif.de/en/event/2nd...
Extensive genome analyses showed that #clades of Rgnavus exist, and that some of these appear overrepresented in #Crohn's patients. Sam also showed that known #virulence factors do not appear to explain this.
January 30, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Extensive genome analyses showed that #clades of Rgnavus exist, and that some of these appear overrepresented in #Crohn's patients. Sam also showed that known #virulence factors do not appear to explain this.
Based on the curated dataset, we also looked at the #metadata, including #age, #health, #geography and #lifestyle and found associations with #Rgnavus - both previously described and novel ones.
January 30, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Based on the curated dataset, we also looked at the #metadata, including #age, #health, #geography and #lifestyle and found associations with #Rgnavus - both previously described and novel ones.