Seth Bordenstein
@symbionticism.bsky.social
Scientist, Huck Professor: Microbiome, Virome, Symbiosis, Evolution, Genetics, Phylosymbiosis, Holobiont, Wolbachia, Phage | Director of One Health Microbiome Center @psumbiome.bsky.social | SciEd: @wolbachiaproj.bsky.social | @holobiontbiology.bsky.social
Pinned
The disciplinary matrix of holobiont biology
Uniting life’s seen and unseen realms guides a conceptual advance in research
www.science.org
Microbiomes are the foundation of the biosphere. Hosts such as humans, bees, and plants have never been just hosts. They are complex units of biological organization upon which various forces act to shape composition, form, and function. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
An incredibly deserved award, Thomas!! A true trailblazer!
Today we announce the launch of the MICROBIOME MEDAL, an annual recognition that embodies our commitment @psumbiome.bsky.social to honor a singular scholar or group of scholars who nobly extend excellence, acumen, and ingenuity in the microbiome sciences worldwide. www.psu.edu/news/huck-in...
Host-microbiome interaction biologist to receive inaugural Microbiome Medal | Penn State University
The One Health Microbiome Center will present the inaugural Microbiome Medal to Thomas Bosch on Dec 12. Bosch, a developmental biologist, zoologist and distinguished senior professor at Kiel Universit...
www.psu.edu
November 19, 2025 at 7:42 PM
An incredibly deserved award, Thomas!! A true trailblazer!
Today we announce the launch of the MICROBIOME MEDAL, an annual recognition that embodies our commitment @psumbiome.bsky.social to honor a singular scholar or group of scholars who nobly extend excellence, acumen, and ingenuity in the microbiome sciences worldwide. www.psu.edu/news/huck-in...
Host-microbiome interaction biologist to receive inaugural Microbiome Medal | Penn State University
The One Health Microbiome Center will present the inaugural Microbiome Medal to Thomas Bosch on Dec 12. Bosch, a developmental biologist, zoologist and distinguished senior professor at Kiel Universit...
www.psu.edu
November 19, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Today we announce the launch of the MICROBIOME MEDAL, an annual recognition that embodies our commitment @psumbiome.bsky.social to honor a singular scholar or group of scholars who nobly extend excellence, acumen, and ingenuity in the microbiome sciences worldwide. www.psu.edu/news/huck-in...
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
Submit your abstracts to @asm.org #ASMicrobe 2026.
I will be hosting a HUB session on #archaea!
"The Biology of Archaea: From Non-Models to Emerging Model Microbes".
Speakers will give a flash talk (5 minutes plus 2 minutes for questions). Speakers will be determined from abstract submissions.
I will be hosting a HUB session on #archaea!
"The Biology of Archaea: From Non-Models to Emerging Model Microbes".
Speakers will give a flash talk (5 minutes plus 2 minutes for questions). Speakers will be determined from abstract submissions.
November 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Submit your abstracts to @asm.org #ASMicrobe 2026.
I will be hosting a HUB session on #archaea!
"The Biology of Archaea: From Non-Models to Emerging Model Microbes".
Speakers will give a flash talk (5 minutes plus 2 minutes for questions). Speakers will be determined from abstract submissions.
I will be hosting a HUB session on #archaea!
"The Biology of Archaea: From Non-Models to Emerging Model Microbes".
Speakers will give a flash talk (5 minutes plus 2 minutes for questions). Speakers will be determined from abstract submissions.
The 2026 One Health Microbiome Symposium takes place May 13–14, 2026 in the tips of the Appalachia. The pencil of science is sharp for this gathering. Come help us write the script of the finished product. Best part is the implausible $60 registration. See you there! www.huck.psu.edu/institutes-a...
November 18, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The 2026 One Health Microbiome Symposium takes place May 13–14, 2026 in the tips of the Appalachia. The pencil of science is sharp for this gathering. Come help us write the script of the finished product. Best part is the implausible $60 registration. See you there! www.huck.psu.edu/institutes-a...
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
"As HOLOBIONTS, insects are associated with diverse microbiota (Bacteria, Archaea, eucaryotic microorganisms, and viruses) that affect their fitness (positively or negatively)." Sidenote: microbes that do not impact fitness are also part of the holobiont www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Bacteria associated with the cereal leaf beetle act as the insect’s allies in adapting to protease inhibitors, but impair its development in laboratory condition - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Bacteria associated with the cereal leaf beetle act as the insect’s allies in adapting to protease inhibitors, but impair its development in laboratory condition
www.nature.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:07 PM
"As HOLOBIONTS, insects are associated with diverse microbiota (Bacteria, Archaea, eucaryotic microorganisms, and viruses) that affect their fitness (positively or negatively)." Sidenote: microbes that do not impact fitness are also part of the holobiont www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
Starting this week, I set aside one hour each week to meet ECRs outside my group who want to discuss career development, mentorship, or any non-technical professional questions.
Here is a blog that explains my motivation for this and how to schedule a meeting:
merenlab.org/2025/11/16/E...
Here is a blog that explains my motivation for this and how to schedule a meeting:
merenlab.org/2025/11/16/E...
ECR connection: Meet Meren when you need to
A means for ECRs to get advice from a senior scientist outside of their support network
merenlab.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Starting this week, I set aside one hour each week to meet ECRs outside my group who want to discuss career development, mentorship, or any non-technical professional questions.
Here is a blog that explains my motivation for this and how to schedule a meeting:
merenlab.org/2025/11/16/E...
Here is a blog that explains my motivation for this and how to schedule a meeting:
merenlab.org/2025/11/16/E...
Invaluable moments spent with the Curtis Huttenhower and @psumbiome.bsky.social this week, solidifying collaborative paths over Brazilian dinner (priorities) and One Health Microbiome Science. Curtis charts the microbiome and virome maps for many. Hat tip to @erika-ganda.bsky.social for commanding.
November 16, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Invaluable moments spent with the Curtis Huttenhower and @psumbiome.bsky.social this week, solidifying collaborative paths over Brazilian dinner (priorities) and One Health Microbiome Science. Curtis charts the microbiome and virome maps for many. Hat tip to @erika-ganda.bsky.social for commanding.
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
Nice write up of our paper here, thanks! 🧫🦠
dailyneuron.com/how-gut-micr...
dailyneuron.com/how-gut-micr...
How Gut Microbes Transmit Behavior Across Generations - Daily Neuron
A new study reveals how gut microbes transmit behavior, showing microbes alone can pass traits like activity levels between generations.
dailyneuron.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Nice write up of our paper here, thanks! 🧫🦠
dailyneuron.com/how-gut-micr...
dailyneuron.com/how-gut-micr...
Wowza, there it is @jlsteenwyk.bsky.social! Creative study.
NEW pub in @science.org 🥳
Is it sponges (panels A & B) or comb jellies (C & D) that root the animal tree of life?
For over 15 years, #phylogenomic studies have been divided.
We provide new evidence suggesting that...
🔗: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Is it sponges (panels A & B) or comb jellies (C & D) that root the animal tree of life?
For over 15 years, #phylogenomic studies have been divided.
We provide new evidence suggesting that...
🔗: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
November 14, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Wowza, there it is @jlsteenwyk.bsky.social! Creative study.
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
NSF is open again!
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
November 13, 2025 at 5:58 PM
NSF is open again!
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
A few comments:
*Please be patient.
During a shutdown NSF employees cannot open computers or respond to emails.
*Merit review will continue. However panels won’t resume until after Dec 8th.
*POs remain excited and committed to advancing science and the scientific workforce.
A few weeks ago, I got to hike the Vallunga Trail in the Italian dolomites with my friend and colleague @momedinamunoz.bsky.social. It’s a 6 mile valley hike with autumn peak foliage in an area that escaped most of the tourists. Locals were trailing with their kids and cameras. Still soaking it in.
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
A few weeks ago, I got to hike the Vallunga Trail in the Italian dolomites with my friend and colleague @momedinamunoz.bsky.social. It’s a 6 mile valley hike with autumn peak foliage in an area that escaped most of the tourists. Locals were trailing with their kids and cameras. Still soaking it in.
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
Expressions of interest are now open to host the @isvm-society.bsky.social #VOM28 conference.
Let us know if you'd like to host the world's leading conference on viruses of microbes!
isvm.org
#phagesky #virus
Let us know if you'd like to host the world's leading conference on viruses of microbes!
isvm.org
#phagesky #virus
ISVM – International Society for Viruses of Microorganisms
isvm.org
November 3, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Expressions of interest are now open to host the @isvm-society.bsky.social #VOM28 conference.
Let us know if you'd like to host the world's leading conference on viruses of microbes!
isvm.org
#phagesky #virus
Let us know if you'd like to host the world's leading conference on viruses of microbes!
isvm.org
#phagesky #virus
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
Paradoxical role of new endosymbiotic associations: they facilitate the emergence of new partnerships, but inhibit deeper integration between hosts and guests (by favoring uncoordinated reproduction over synchronized ones). That is, easy come, easy go. #Endosymbiosis doi.org/10.1101/2025...
October 29, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Paradoxical role of new endosymbiotic associations: they facilitate the emergence of new partnerships, but inhibit deeper integration between hosts and guests (by favoring uncoordinated reproduction over synchronized ones). That is, easy come, easy go. #Endosymbiosis doi.org/10.1101/2025...
🎙️ Arturo is a leading scholar and thought leader in medical microbiology and infectious disease research. Please join us at the One Health Microbiome Symposium. He is in a league of professors who have long championed the "One Health" concept — which makes his perspective indispensable.
November 3, 2025 at 2:56 PM
🎙️ Arturo is a leading scholar and thought leader in medical microbiology and infectious disease research. Please join us at the One Health Microbiome Symposium. He is in a league of professors who have long championed the "One Health" concept — which makes his perspective indispensable.
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
Happy One Health Day from the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State! #OneHealthDay
November 3, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Happy One Health Day from the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State! #OneHealthDay
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
Bring on the programs 👩💻
HoloSimR allows the user to explore the effect of the microbiota on the phenotypic response to selection and the effects of the environment, host genetics and symbiosis between microbial species on the composition of the microbiota.
doi.org/10.1093/jas/...
HoloSimR allows the user to explore the effect of the microbiota on the phenotypic response to selection and the effects of the environment, host genetics and symbiosis between microbial species on the composition of the microbiota.
doi.org/10.1093/jas/...
HoloSimR: a comprehensive framework for simulating breeding programs including the hologenome scenario
Abstract. Including microbiome information in breeding schemes may be helpful to improve the selection response of livestock populations. However, the comp
doi.org
October 28, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Bring on the programs 👩💻
HoloSimR allows the user to explore the effect of the microbiota on the phenotypic response to selection and the effects of the environment, host genetics and symbiosis between microbial species on the composition of the microbiota.
doi.org/10.1093/jas/...
HoloSimR allows the user to explore the effect of the microbiota on the phenotypic response to selection and the effects of the environment, host genetics and symbiosis between microbial species on the composition of the microbiota.
doi.org/10.1093/jas/...
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
We are really proud of this report from our 3 colloquia convened by the AAM and supported by the Moore Foundation. A few experts even said they would use it as their introductory textbook for this area. Please check it out!
How did life begin, and why does it matter? Scientists are tracing early microbial life–from LUCA to multicellularity–to unlock insights for biotech, climate science and even space exploration. Read the article: asm.org/articles/202...
Early Microbial Evolution | ASM.org
How did life begin, and why does it matter? Scientists are tracing early microbial life—from LUCA to multicellularity—to unlock insights for biotech, climate science and even space exploration.
asm.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
We are really proud of this report from our 3 colloquia convened by the AAM and supported by the Moore Foundation. A few experts even said they would use it as their introductory textbook for this area. Please check it out!
The global connection fostered by science and its gatherings—through thought, knowledge, application, & inspiration—is unparalleled to many professional fields. Just a shout out to appreciate this perk and unique unifying force (yes, quite biased since I just returned from an Italia conference).
October 30, 2025 at 12:36 AM
The global connection fostered by science and its gatherings—through thought, knowledge, application, & inspiration—is unparalleled to many professional fields. Just a shout out to appreciate this perk and unique unifying force (yes, quite biased since I just returned from an Italia conference).
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
We selected the laziest mouse at each round to inoculate the next batch of germfree mice: over rounds of selection and passaging, behavior shifted without changes to the mouse genome: rdcu.be/eM3rO
🦠🧫
🦠🧫
Selection and transmission of the gut microbiome alone can shift mammalian behavior
Nature Communications - Here, the authors present evidence that the gut microbiome alone, without changes in the host genome, can shape how animals respond to selection, identifying a bacterium and...
rdcu.be
October 28, 2025 at 7:51 AM
We selected the laziest mouse at each round to inoculate the next batch of germfree mice: over rounds of selection and passaging, behavior shifted without changes to the mouse genome: rdcu.be/eM3rO
🦠🧫
🦠🧫
October 28, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
📢 We have an open position for a postdoc to join my lab. It's a great position @animecol-uu.bsky.social, fully salaried for 2.5 years with all benefits.
www.uu.se/en/about-uu/...
The project is about transmission patterns of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic insects. 🧬🦠 (1/3)
www.uu.se/en/about-uu/...
The project is about transmission patterns of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic insects. 🧬🦠 (1/3)
Postdoctoral researcher in molecular ecology - Uppsala University
Postdoctoral researcher in molecular ecology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University
www.uu.se
October 27, 2025 at 7:43 AM
📢 We have an open position for a postdoc to join my lab. It's a great position @animecol-uu.bsky.social, fully salaried for 2.5 years with all benefits.
www.uu.se/en/about-uu/...
The project is about transmission patterns of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic insects. 🧬🦠 (1/3)
www.uu.se/en/about-uu/...
The project is about transmission patterns of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquatic insects. 🧬🦠 (1/3)
Italy was memorable; Happy Valley won with the warmest welcome.
October 26, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Italy was memorable; Happy Valley won with the warmest welcome.
Live from the Italian Dolce Vita at the Trends in Marine Host-Microbe Symbiosis Conference hosted by the illustrious @memartino.bsky.social and @raquelpeixoto.bsky.social with the best scholars/friends @momedinamunoz.bsky.social @sabinallarosa.bsky.social @jcamthrash.bsky.social et al.
October 24, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Live from the Italian Dolce Vita at the Trends in Marine Host-Microbe Symbiosis Conference hosted by the illustrious @memartino.bsky.social and @raquelpeixoto.bsky.social with the best scholars/friends @momedinamunoz.bsky.social @sabinallarosa.bsky.social @jcamthrash.bsky.social et al.
Thanks Carl for sharing this important milestone and path forward to give the microbes their overwhelming due.
The base of the biosphere has to be a priority.
The base of the biosphere has to be a priority.
Pandas, snow leopards...and bacteria. A newly formed team of scientists is setting out to conserve the world's diversity of microbes. Here's my story: nyti.ms/47vEfRC
October 17, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Thanks Carl for sharing this important milestone and path forward to give the microbes their overwhelming due.
The base of the biosphere has to be a priority.
The base of the biosphere has to be a priority.
Reposted by Seth Bordenstein
I think people adjacent to science (but who now find themselves deciding the fate of US science somehow) undervalue humility, valuing braggadocios hubris instead.
Yes it’s true that some scientific discoveries are complete paradigm changers, and we celebrate these. 1/
Yes it’s true that some scientific discoveries are complete paradigm changers, and we celebrate these. 1/
October 16, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I think people adjacent to science (but who now find themselves deciding the fate of US science somehow) undervalue humility, valuing braggadocios hubris instead.
Yes it’s true that some scientific discoveries are complete paradigm changers, and we celebrate these. 1/
Yes it’s true that some scientific discoveries are complete paradigm changers, and we celebrate these. 1/