Vera Vollenweider
@veraeva.bsky.social
siderophores, antimicrobial resistance, novel treatments.
Postdoc at the University of Zurich | Rolf Kümmerli Lab
Msc @ethzurich.bsky.social
Postdoc at the University of Zurich | Rolf Kümmerli Lab
Msc @ethzurich.bsky.social
Pinned
Researchers are hoping to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria by harnessing other microbes that are experts at stealing iron.
https://buff.ly/4grpj97
https://buff.ly/4grpj97
Starving microbes of iron
Pyoverdines, iron-trapping molecules found in certain microbes, can help in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can cause incurable infections.
buff.ly
Thanks for the digest, @elife.bsky.social 💥
How to combat pathogenic bacteria through iron starvation:
Read more ⬇️
#AMR #Siderophore
How to combat pathogenic bacteria through iron starvation:
Read more ⬇️
#AMR #Siderophore
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Can we leverage bacterial competition for targeted replacement of harmful strains? Maybe! Our recent piece in @natmicrobiol.nature.com provides a theoretical framework and a set of experiments to show what it might take: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Strain displacement in microbiomes via ecological competition - Nature Microbiology
Mathematical modelling and experimental tests reveal principles that govern displacement of a resident strain by an invader in microbial communities.
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Can we leverage bacterial competition for targeted replacement of harmful strains? Maybe! Our recent piece in @natmicrobiol.nature.com provides a theoretical framework and a set of experiments to show what it might take: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
New(ish!) paper on how within-host competition and antibiotic resistance shape the fitness of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes, out in August in Plos Biology. journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Quantifying the effects of antibiotic resistance and within-host competition on strain fitness in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Competition significantly influences bacterial population dynamics, particularly in how strains interact within and between hosts. This study shows that within-host competition in Streptococcus pneumo...
journals.plos.org
October 31, 2025 at 3:05 PM
New(ish!) paper on how within-host competition and antibiotic resistance shape the fitness of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes, out in August in Plos Biology. journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Check out @julielebris.bsky.social’s thread on our latest manuscript describing phenotypic heterogeneity in capsule production in Klebsiella & Acinetobacter @klebclub.bsky.social
This work started when I was still in @pasteur.fr & got finished in @cbitoulouse.bsky.social
#microsky #phagesky
This work started when I was still in @pasteur.fr & got finished in @cbitoulouse.bsky.social
#microsky #phagesky
Delighted to share our recently published work!
Ever wondered how Klebsiella (and others) deals with capsule production’s costs ?
The paper: journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Thread👇
Ever wondered how Klebsiella (and others) deals with capsule production’s costs ?
The paper: journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Thread👇
Phenotypic heterogeneity of capsule production across opportunistic pathogens | mBio
The polysaccharidic capsule is present in ~50% of species across the bacterial phylogeny, including all ESKAPE microorganisms, the six most significant multidrug-resistant (MDR) nosocomial pathogens. It is also an important virulence factor and a major ...
journals.asm.org
September 9, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Check out @julielebris.bsky.social’s thread on our latest manuscript describing phenotypic heterogeneity in capsule production in Klebsiella & Acinetobacter @klebclub.bsky.social
This work started when I was still in @pasteur.fr & got finished in @cbitoulouse.bsky.social
#microsky #phagesky
This work started when I was still in @pasteur.fr & got finished in @cbitoulouse.bsky.social
#microsky #phagesky
Slightly diminish a band:
System Of A Clown
System Of A Clown
Slightly diminish a band:
Pearl Jelly
Pearl Jelly
Slightly diminish a band:
Moyen Jovi
Moyen Jovi
August 13, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Slightly diminish a band:
System Of A Clown
System Of A Clown
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
📢 Announcing a Research Fellowship for Clinicians
🥼 The fellowship supports career development in academic medicine in areas relevant to infection and treatment.
🕶️ The call will open in October - watch this space!
👉https://www.nccr-antiresist.ch/education/research-fellowship-for-clinicians/
🥼 The fellowship supports career development in academic medicine in areas relevant to infection and treatment.
🕶️ The call will open in October - watch this space!
👉https://www.nccr-antiresist.ch/education/research-fellowship-for-clinicians/
August 13, 2025 at 9:14 AM
📢 Announcing a Research Fellowship for Clinicians
🥼 The fellowship supports career development in academic medicine in areas relevant to infection and treatment.
🕶️ The call will open in October - watch this space!
👉https://www.nccr-antiresist.ch/education/research-fellowship-for-clinicians/
🥼 The fellowship supports career development in academic medicine in areas relevant to infection and treatment.
🕶️ The call will open in October - watch this space!
👉https://www.nccr-antiresist.ch/education/research-fellowship-for-clinicians/
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Plasmids promote antimicrobial resistance through Insertion Sequence-mediated gene inactivation https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.12.669853v1
August 13, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Plasmids promote antimicrobial resistance through Insertion Sequence-mediated gene inactivation https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.12.669853v1
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
New paper with @rwheatley8.bsky.social and Cedric Lood
Actual title: Chromosomal capture of beneficial genes drives plasmids towards ecological redundancy.
Sensationalist title: Plasmids carry useless genes
academic.oup.com/ismej/articl...
Actual title: Chromosomal capture of beneficial genes drives plasmids towards ecological redundancy.
Sensationalist title: Plasmids carry useless genes
academic.oup.com/ismej/articl...
Chromosomal capture of beneficial genes drives plasmids toward ecological redundancy
Abstract. Plasmids are a ubiquitous feature of bacterial genomes, but the forces driving genes and phenotypes to become associated with plasmids are poorly
academic.oup.com
July 16, 2025 at 9:17 AM
New paper with @rwheatley8.bsky.social and Cedric Lood
Actual title: Chromosomal capture of beneficial genes drives plasmids towards ecological redundancy.
Sensationalist title: Plasmids carry useless genes
academic.oup.com/ismej/articl...
Actual title: Chromosomal capture of beneficial genes drives plasmids towards ecological redundancy.
Sensationalist title: Plasmids carry useless genes
academic.oup.com/ismej/articl...
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
We are looking for a PhD student for a project on chloronitramide in drinking water. Please spread the word!
jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...
jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...
July 17, 2025 at 9:46 AM
We are looking for a PhD student for a project on chloronitramide in drinking water. Please spread the word!
jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...
jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/JOP...
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Happy to share this detective work by Rune Overlund Stannius now published in #mSystems
phenotype+genomes▶️GWAS▶️gene cluster for pigment production
Identification of widely conserved biosynthetic gene cluster involved in pigment production of Bacillus subtilis
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
phenotype+genomes▶️GWAS▶️gene cluster for pigment production
Identification of widely conserved biosynthetic gene cluster involved in pigment production of Bacillus subtilis
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
July 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Happy to share this detective work by Rune Overlund Stannius now published in #mSystems
phenotype+genomes▶️GWAS▶️gene cluster for pigment production
Identification of widely conserved biosynthetic gene cluster involved in pigment production of Bacillus subtilis
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
phenotype+genomes▶️GWAS▶️gene cluster for pigment production
Identification of widely conserved biosynthetic gene cluster involved in pigment production of Bacillus subtilis
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Using an experimental evolution platform @farhanrc.bsky.social & @chemtips.bsky.social show that tripartite antibiotic loops - sequential regimens involving three antibiotics - can resensitize bacteria to the 1st drug as multidrug resistance evolves
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf115
#evobio #molbio
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf115
#evobio #molbio
June 16, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Using an experimental evolution platform @farhanrc.bsky.social & @chemtips.bsky.social show that tripartite antibiotic loops - sequential regimens involving three antibiotics - can resensitize bacteria to the 1st drug as multidrug resistance evolves
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf115
#evobio #molbio
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaf115
#evobio #molbio
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Postdoc alert!! Rolf is an amazing advisor and Zurich is a great place to live. Send your best students this way! ⬇️📢 #MicroSky 🦠❤️
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoc to work on pathogen interactions. Please send in your application via
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
UZH: Postdoctoral researcher in microbiology
The Department of Quantitative Biomedicine is an interdisciplinary biomedical research unit that combines basic science with biotechnological and medical research, using both experimental and computat...
jobs.uzh.ch
June 11, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Postdoc alert!! Rolf is an amazing advisor and Zurich is a great place to live. Send your best students this way! ⬇️📢 #MicroSky 🦠❤️
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
‼️ Great Postdoc opportunity ‼️
In pathogen interactions with Rolf Kümmerli at the University of Zurich
In pathogen interactions with Rolf Kümmerli at the University of Zurich
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoc to work on pathogen interactions. Please send in your application via
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
UZH: Postdoctoral researcher in microbiology
The Department of Quantitative Biomedicine is an interdisciplinary biomedical research unit that combines basic science with biotechnological and medical research, using both experimental and computat...
jobs.uzh.ch
June 11, 2025 at 2:36 PM
‼️ Great Postdoc opportunity ‼️
In pathogen interactions with Rolf Kümmerli at the University of Zurich
In pathogen interactions with Rolf Kümmerli at the University of Zurich
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoc to work on pathogen interactions. Please send in your application via
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
UZH: Postdoctoral researcher in microbiology
The Department of Quantitative Biomedicine is an interdisciplinary biomedical research unit that combines basic science with biotechnological and medical research, using both experimental and computat...
jobs.uzh.ch
June 10, 2025 at 2:14 PM
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoc to work on pathogen interactions. Please send in your application via
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie...
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Our opinion piece on the role of microbial siderophores for One Health is now out
with Zhong Wei, Shaohua Gu, Yuanmei Zuo, Zhiyuan Li and @veraeva.bsky.social
www.cell.com/trends/micro...
with Zhong Wei, Shaohua Gu, Yuanmei Zuo, Zhiyuan Li and @veraeva.bsky.social
www.cell.com/trends/micro...
Microbial siderophores for One Health
One Health is an integrative concept striving for healthy environments, animals, and
humans. Microbes play a fundamental role for this concept as they are key drivers
of ecosystem stability and host h...
www.cell.com
June 5, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Our opinion piece on the role of microbial siderophores for One Health is now out
with Zhong Wei, Shaohua Gu, Yuanmei Zuo, Zhiyuan Li and @veraeva.bsky.social
www.cell.com/trends/micro...
with Zhong Wei, Shaohua Gu, Yuanmei Zuo, Zhiyuan Li and @veraeva.bsky.social
www.cell.com/trends/micro...
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Microbial siderophores for One Health
Microbial siderophores for One Health
One Health is an integrative concept striving for healthy environments, animals, and humans. Microbes play a fundamental role for this concept as they are key drivers of ecosystem stability and host health. A central microbial feature across various environments is the secretion of siderophores, low-molecular-weight metabolites that chelate ferric iron (Fe3+) with high affinity. We propose that, by steering iron and metal availability, siderophores can be important for One Health in four key areas via: (i) enhancing crop yield, (ii) mitigating heavy metal pollution, (iii) preventing pathogen colonization, and (iv) serving as potential treatments for established infections. Collectively, siderophores are attractive molecules to complement our efforts in increasing human, animal, and environmental health.
dlvr.it
June 3, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Microbial siderophores for One Health
Opinion article out now: Microbial siderophores for One Health
We explore how siderophores can help:
🌱 boost crop yield
🌍 detoxify polluted environments
🦠 block pathogen colonization
💊 inspire new anti-infectives
#MicroSky #OneHealth #ScienceSky #Siderophores
We explore how siderophores can help:
🌱 boost crop yield
🌍 detoxify polluted environments
🦠 block pathogen colonization
💊 inspire new anti-infectives
#MicroSky #OneHealth #ScienceSky #Siderophores
Microbial siderophores for One Health
#Pseudomonas
@cp-trendsmicrobiol.bsky.social Opinion by Zhong Wei et al with @rkmicrobes.bsky.social @veraeva.bsky.social
www.cell.com/trends/micro...
#Pseudomonas
@cp-trendsmicrobiol.bsky.social Opinion by Zhong Wei et al with @rkmicrobes.bsky.social @veraeva.bsky.social
www.cell.com/trends/micro...
Microbial siderophores for One Health
One Health is an integrative concept striving for healthy environments, animals, and
humans. Microbes play a fundamental role for this concept as they are key drivers
of ecosystem stability and host h...
www.cell.com
June 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Opinion article out now: Microbial siderophores for One Health
We explore how siderophores can help:
🌱 boost crop yield
🌍 detoxify polluted environments
🦠 block pathogen colonization
💊 inspire new anti-infectives
#MicroSky #OneHealth #ScienceSky #Siderophores
We explore how siderophores can help:
🌱 boost crop yield
🌍 detoxify polluted environments
🦠 block pathogen colonization
💊 inspire new anti-infectives
#MicroSky #OneHealth #ScienceSky #Siderophores
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
🎉 Fantastic News 🎉
Our CMFI Cluster of Excellence @unituebingen.bsky.social receives funding extension for the next seven years.
Spokesperson Andreas Peschel @andreaspeschel.bsky.social: "We can now advance our research into resistance mechanisms and new antimicrobial agents!"
shorturl.at/rcK1A
Our CMFI Cluster of Excellence @unituebingen.bsky.social receives funding extension for the next seven years.
Spokesperson Andreas Peschel @andreaspeschel.bsky.social: "We can now advance our research into resistance mechanisms and new antimicrobial agents!"
shorturl.at/rcK1A
CMFI Enters Second Funding Period | CMFI News
The members of CMFI can breathe a sigh of relief: On January 1, 2026, the Tübingen Cluster of Excellence will enter its second funding period with a duration of seven years. This was announced by the ...
www.cmfi.uni-tuebingen.de
May 22, 2025 at 3:37 PM
🎉 Fantastic News 🎉
Our CMFI Cluster of Excellence @unituebingen.bsky.social receives funding extension for the next seven years.
Spokesperson Andreas Peschel @andreaspeschel.bsky.social: "We can now advance our research into resistance mechanisms and new antimicrobial agents!"
shorturl.at/rcK1A
Our CMFI Cluster of Excellence @unituebingen.bsky.social receives funding extension for the next seven years.
Spokesperson Andreas Peschel @andreaspeschel.bsky.social: "We can now advance our research into resistance mechanisms and new antimicrobial agents!"
shorturl.at/rcK1A
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
#Bacteria use weapons to outcompete rivals, but what happens if they're transferred? @prokaryota.bsky.social @jdpal.bsky.social &co show that HGT of toxin #plasmids is rare but recipients can thrive under relaxed nutrient competition, reshaping bacterial warfare @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/43vC3X7
May 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#Bacteria use weapons to outcompete rivals, but what happens if they're transferred? @prokaryota.bsky.social @jdpal.bsky.social &co show that HGT of toxin #plasmids is rare but recipients can thrive under relaxed nutrient competition, reshaping bacterial warfare @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/43vC3X7
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
🛠️Toolbox 🛠️ out to modulate gene expression & protein secretion in a predatory bacterium.
📑Preprint from my group below.
Many thanks to L. Mihajlovic @ljmihajlovic.bsky.social, L. Hofacker, F. Lindner, P. Jayakumar & A. Diepold @diepold-lab.bsky.social! #MicroSky #SyntheticBiology #PredatoryBacteria
📑Preprint from my group below.
Many thanks to L. Mihajlovic @ljmihajlovic.bsky.social, L. Hofacker, F. Lindner, P. Jayakumar & A. Diepold @diepold-lab.bsky.social! #MicroSky #SyntheticBiology #PredatoryBacteria
May 19, 2025 at 5:37 AM
🛠️Toolbox 🛠️ out to modulate gene expression & protein secretion in a predatory bacterium.
📑Preprint from my group below.
Many thanks to L. Mihajlovic @ljmihajlovic.bsky.social, L. Hofacker, F. Lindner, P. Jayakumar & A. Diepold @diepold-lab.bsky.social! #MicroSky #SyntheticBiology #PredatoryBacteria
📑Preprint from my group below.
Many thanks to L. Mihajlovic @ljmihajlovic.bsky.social, L. Hofacker, F. Lindner, P. Jayakumar & A. Diepold @diepold-lab.bsky.social! #MicroSky #SyntheticBiology #PredatoryBacteria
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Modulating gene expression and protein secretion in the bacterial predator Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.17.654431v1
May 18, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Modulating gene expression and protein secretion in the bacterial predator Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.17.654431v1
An excellent and insightful review! Congratulations to all authors!
ICYMI: CRISPR–Cas therapies targeting bacteria
May 15, 2025 at 8:01 AM
An excellent and insightful review! Congratulations to all authors!
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Delighted to announce the @keystonesymposia.bsky.social meeting: Beyond #Antibiotics: Emerging Strategies Combating #BacterialInfection. Join us in Breckenridge in May 2026!!
You can check out the program and amazing lineup of speakers below: keysym.us/KSAntibiotics26
#KSAntibiotics26
You can check out the program and amazing lineup of speakers below: keysym.us/KSAntibiotics26
#KSAntibiotics26
Beyond Antibiotics: Emerging Strategies for Combating Bacterial Infection | Keystone Symposia
Join us at the Keystone Symposia on Beyond Antibiotics: Emerging Strategies for Combating Bacterial Infection, May 2026, in Breckenridge, with field leaders!
keysym.us
May 9, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Delighted to announce the @keystonesymposia.bsky.social meeting: Beyond #Antibiotics: Emerging Strategies Combating #BacterialInfection. Join us in Breckenridge in May 2026!!
You can check out the program and amazing lineup of speakers below: keysym.us/KSAntibiotics26
#KSAntibiotics26
You can check out the program and amazing lineup of speakers below: keysym.us/KSAntibiotics26
#KSAntibiotics26
Reposted by Vera Vollenweider
Tracing Siderophore Precursors to Primary Metabolism for Ecological Applications https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.04.30.651379v1
May 4, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Tracing Siderophore Precursors to Primary Metabolism for Ecological Applications https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.04.30.651379v1