Frances Yap

Frances Yap

@ribo1214.bsky.social

Principal Investigator | Northwestern University Microbiology-Immunology | #RNA #ribosome #antibiotic resistance #AMR #MRSA | hails from 🇲🇾 by way of 🇹🇼 |Views are my own. 🧪 🧬🔬💉

1.4K followers766 following277 posts

Frances Yap reposted

John Helmann
@johnhelmann.bsky.social

FACULTY POSITION: We are seeking an Assistant Professor to join our growing and vibrant Department of Microbiology at Cornell! FOCUS: Using bacteria to address 21st century challenges. (part of a cohort hire in SynBio). *please repost* academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/33098 #MicroSky

academicjobsonline.orgCornell University, Microbiology/CALS Job #AJO33098, WDR-00061962 Assistant Professor - Harnessing the Power of Synthetic Biology, Microbiology/CALS, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, US
Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

Visualization of co-transcriptional binding of an E. coli rRNA methyltransferase RsmB and importance of rsmB in cellular fitness. #RNASky www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

science.orgMethyltransferase RsmB chaperones E. coli ribosome assembly by orchestrating the recruitment of ribosomal proteinsRibosomal RNA modification enzymes increase cellular fitness, but it’s little known whether this benefit arises from rRNA modification or a chaperone function of the modification enzyme. Here, we show...

Frances Yap reposted

Zeynep Baharoglu
@zeynepbaharoglu.bsky.social

After tRNA, rRNA, mRNA, RluA apparently also modifies phage RNA (E. coli) 🦠 A host enzyme pseudouridylates an RNA bacteriophage genome and accelerates virus production www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

biorxiv.orgA host enzyme pseudouridylates an RNA bacteriophage genome and accelerates virus productionRNA modifications are prevalent and potent regulators of gene expression across all domains of life. However, whether they exist in bacteriophages and whether they impact phage-host interactions are l...

Frances Yap reposted

Liz Neeley
@lizneeley.bsky.social

Replying to @lizneeley.bsky.social

Public comment is open until Nov 9 (www.regulations.gov/commenton/IC...) on the proposed rule to charge universities up to $100,000 per international student in post-graduation Optional Practical Training ($70k initial fee + $30k for 2 year renewal for STEM trainees) www.science.org/content/arti...

science.orgTrump administration proposes $100,000 fee for work authorization for international studentsThe new rule would require schools to pay a large sum before a student can apply for a program called optional practical training
Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

#MicroSky #Antibiotics #AMR

bioRxivpreprint@biorxivpreprint.bsky.social

A diverse family of protein antibiotics inhibits the BAM complex by β-signal mimicry https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.25.754295v1

Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

Mycotoxin associated with hibernating ribosomes in human cells 🔽 #Ribosome

Evan Karousis@karousislab.bsky.social

We report a human cell-free translation screen that identified NT-2, a Fusarium mycotoxin that blocks human ribosomes. The surprise: NT-2 does binds the ribosome and pushes them into a dormant state. www.nature.com/articles/s42...

Frances Yap reposted

Mark Mandel
@markjmandel.bsky.social

Career retrospective from Tom Silhavy as he winds down his laboratory. An amazing legacy from which I am fortunate to have benefitted. @princetonmolbio.bsky.social journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

journals.asm.orgmSphere Legacy: A career built on suppressors | mSphereI grew up in a small town, Wauseon, in the northwest corner of Ohio. Although I enjoyed science and math classes in high school, a career in research and academia never crossed my mind. I worked for s...
Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

TT faculty opening at Indiana University-Bloomington. ⬇️

Schrader Lab@schraderlab.bsky.social

My department has a faculty position in "RNA Biology" at the assistant or associate rank. Please share with any RNA biologists on the job market. #RNASky @iubiology.bsky.social

Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

www.cell.com/cell/abstrac...

cell.comPhosphate backbone epitranscriptomics: Discovery of natural RNA phosphorothioates and their writer machineryPhosphorothioates, stereospecific modifications of the RNA phosphate backbone in anaerobic archaea, expand the epitranscriptome beyond nucleobases and ribose sugars. Installed by Esti enzymes at conse...
SchmitzStreitsLAB@schmitzstreitslab.bsky.social

Read the paper here, free access for 50 days: authors.elsevier.com/c/1no8P_278y... Permanent link: doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...

authors.elsevier.comPlease wait whilst we redirect youAll content on this site: Copyright © 2026 Elsevier B.V., its licensors, and contributors. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. For all open access content, the relevant licensing terms apply.

Frances Yap reposted

Prahathees Eswara
@eswaralab.bsky.social

Thrilled to share this insightful work of Asher King @subtisilly.bsky.social and Pilar Horigian @pilarhorigian.bsky.social! #ProudPI #MicroSky #AMR #SubtiWiki In this work, we reveal the *magic* behind the protective effects of magnesium in Bacillus subtilis. Read Asher's 🧵 below for more details.

Asher King@subtisilly.bsky.social

I am so excited to share my first first-author manuscript regarding the mysterious effects of magnesium in Bacillus subtilis! 🧵⬇️ www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... #MicroSky

biorxiv.orgMagnesium induces iron starvation and metabolic rewiring to support the viability of cell envelope mutants and antibiotic-stressed cellsMagnesium supplementation permits deletion of otherwise essential genes involved in cell envelope biogenesis in the Gram-positive model bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Yet, the specific underlying mechan...
Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

#RNASky #ribosome Manipulation of protein translation and stem cell self-renewal by CRISPR activation of rRNA transcription | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

science.orgManipulation of protein translation and stem cell self-renewal by CRISPR activation of rRNA transcriptionRibosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription rates vary during development, and their dysregulation is linked to diseases such as cancer and ribosomopathies. Owing to their high abundance and genomic redundancy...

Frances Yap reposted

Marleny García Lozano
@marlenygarcial.bsky.social

The second chapter of my PhD thesis is out in @NatureComms 🎉!! we found that a "Yellow" protein, the same gene family known for pigmentation in many insects, has been repurposed to protect a beetle's bacterial symbiont. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

nature.comYellow protein co-opted to sustain obligate symbiosis in leaf beetles - Nature CommunicationsInsects have evolved diverse strategies to protect their genome-reduced symbionts during vertical transmission. Here, authors show that tortoise beetles have co-opted a Yellow protein to form spheres ...
Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

#MicroSky act fast! Sept 4th is the registration deadline for Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference (MMPC) that will be held in Minneapolis from Sept 25-27 #mmpc2026

Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference@mmpconference.bsky.social

MMPC registration & hotel block closes this week! Your to-do list before *September 4*: 1) Register for the meeting! ✅ 2) Reserve your hotel room! ✅ 3) Get your official MMPC t-shirt! ✅ Check off all these tasks here ➡️ mmpc2026.umn.edu See you in Minneapolis! #mmpc2026

mmpc2026.umn.eduMidwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference | Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference 2026

Frances Yap reposted

Alexey Amunts
@amunts.bsky.social

A sad day. Ada's pioneering work on the ribosome changed how we understand one of the central machines of life. She is a remarkable example of curiosity and boldness in pursuing questions that seemed impossible. Her scientific courage and persistence has been an inspiration.

wis-wander.weizmann.ac.ilProf. Ada Yonath, Nobel Laureate and a Model of Scientific Perseverance, Has Passed Away - Weizmann Wonder Wander - News, Features and DiscoveriesFrom pursuing an impossible dream to uncovering one of the cell’s best-kept secrets and advancing the design of improved antibiotics
Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

"16S ribosomal RNA modification drives transcript-specific translation efficiency" pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42632017/ from @ramamurthilab.bsky.social lab #Ribosome #RNASky #MicroSky

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov16S ribosomal RNA modification drives transcript-specific translation efficiency - PubMedBacterial ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are decorated with conserved nucleotide modifications, but the functionality of these modifications is often underexplored. MraW (RsmH) is a 16S rRNA methyltransferase. Here, we report that deletion of mraW corrects a late-stage sporulation defect in Bacillus subtili …

Frances Yap reposted

Patrick R. Secor
@prsecor.bsky.social

I’ll soon be #Hiring a postdoc to join the Secor Lab at Montana State University. This NIH-funded position will investigate phage biology in Lyme disease spirochetes. The official ad will be available soon. Please share with anyone who might be interested! #MicroSky #PhageSky 🔬🦠🧪🧫

Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

🤯 #Ribosome www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

biorxiv.orgA variant rRNA serves as a translational repressor in Plasmodium falciparumRibosome composition can vary through differences in associated proteins, post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications. Such heterogeneity enables ribosomes to respond to environmental[1]...
Sebastian Baumgarten@sebbaumgarten.bsky.social

This repressive ribosome is encoded by a variant ribosomal RNA with a super divergent structure and make-up to ensure the parasite gets its proteome ready just in time to transmit from a human to the mosquito vector 🦟 🦠🧬

Frances Yap reposted

elizabethginexi.bsky.social
@elizabethginexi.bsky.social

‼️NIH is proposing to change NIH Peer Review outcomes. Instead of impact scores they propose 3 categories: "Most competitive" "Competitive", or "Not discussed" This RFI link will accept your comments/feedback on this proposal until 10/13/26. grants.nih.gov/grants/guide...

grants.nih.govNOT-OD-26-088: Request for Information (RFI) on Proposed Changes to Reporting Outcomes from NIH Peer ReviewNIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Request for Information (RFI) on Proposed Changes to Reporting Outcomes from NIH Peer Review NOT-OD-26-088. NIH
Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

🚨Submit your comments by Oct 13, 2026. ⬇️ #AcademicSky

Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD@elizabethjacobs.bsky.social

The NIH just released a proposal that will apparently hide peer reviewers’ impact scores and percentiles from the research team, their institution, and NIH program officers. All the better to obscure how funding decisions will be made primarily via political review, I’m guessing.

grants.nih.govNOT-OD-26-088: Request for Information (RFI) on Proposed Changes to Reporting Outcomes from NIH Peer ReviewNIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Request for Information (RFI) on Proposed Changes to Reporting Outcomes from NIH Peer Review NOT-OD-26-088. NIH
Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

🚨 postdoc position in the dept of Microbiology at NYU (Darwin lab) ⬇️

Heran Darwin, PhD@heran.bsky.social

BlueSky doesn't seem to spread the word around as effectively as that other app so I'm reposting this incredible opportunity again (and again!). Please repost and spread the word to strong candidates. Thank you!

Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

#MicroSky @cruzveralab.bsky.social

Fadel Fakih@fakih98.bsky.social

MiaA-mediated tRNA modifications couple tryptophan attenuation and changes in tRNA abundance to complex phenotypes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa academic.oup.com/nar/article/...

academic.oup.comMiaA-mediated tRNA modifications couple tryptophan attenuation and changes in tRNA abundance to complex phenotypes in Pseudomonas aeruginosaAbstract. Transfer RNA (tRNA)-modifying enzymes are emerging as key regulators of bacterial physiology. MiaA, a tRNA isopentenyltransferase, is well studie

Frances Yap reposted

Sohini Ramachandran
@sramach.bsky.social

Our newest preprint - stay tuned for more from @alexandr.bsky.social!

Richard Sever@richardsever.bsky.social

"Grokipedia...mentions genetics more frequently than Wikipedia and hallucinates or misrepresents human genetics research...it asserts that genes are causal factors underlying group-level measures such as...crime rates" www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

biorxiv.orgFrom Wikipedia to AI: Measuring 25 years of synthesis of human genetics research in the public-facing information ecosystemGenetics research frequently intersects with ethnicity, nationality, and race, making it uniquely vulnerable to misrepresentation. Yet, 25 years after the initial sequencing of the human genome, there...

Frances Yap reposted

Brian Stevenson Ph.D. spirochete lab
@bstevensonlab.bsky.social

Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference (MMPC) September 25-27, 2026 University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN Register now! #MicroSky

Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference@mmpconference.bsky.social

New for #mmpc2026 this year: T-SHIRTS!! Designed by @ruthlessruth15.bsky.social & featuring your favorite microbes! Shirts must be ordered by Sept 4 & can be picked up at the conference. Get your official 2026 Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference swag here: mmpc2026.umn.edu/more/2026-mm...

mmpc2026.umn.edu2026 MMPC T-shirts | Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference 2026

Frances Yap reposted

Dr Zeinab Rekad 🔬🧬🧪
@zeinabrekad.bsky.social

#RNAsky

David McQuarrie@davidmcquarrie.bsky.social

A multivalent RNA affinity tag enables selective purification of tagged RNAs and bound proteins doi.org/10.1093/nar/...

doi.orgA multivalent RNA affinity tag enables selective purification of tagged RNAs and bound proteinsAbstract. Efficient purification of specific RNAs from lysates remains a major challenge. Existing methods, such as MS2 tagging or oligonucleotide hybridiz
Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

💔💔💔

Scicommpoetmom@krosejutras.bsky.social

Kristin Rose Jutras 38m Devastated to share that my husband, @jutraslab.bsky.social, passed away. People are writing fake obituaries online/sharing on social media that Brandon died of Lyme disease. This is not true and is an affront to everything Brandon stood for as a scientist: the truth.

Frances Yap
@ribo1214.bsky.social

a 60+ pages of review. It's a textbook for bacterial stress adaptation. Thanks @kirstenjunglab.bsky.social 's lab for the comprehensive review. #MicroSky

Zeynep Baharoglu@zeynepbaharoglu.bsky.social

journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... comprehensive review of bacterial RNA modifications 🦠

journals.asm.orgCompendium of RNA modifications for bacterial stress adaptation | Microbiology and Molecular Biology ReviewsSUMMARYRNA modifications in the tRNA, rRNA, and mRNA constitute a widespread layer of post-transcriptional gene regulation, commonly known as the epitranscriptome. In bacteria, tRNA and rRNA modifications are well documented and play essential roles in tRNA folding, rRNA maturation, translation, and peptidyl transfer. Although mRNA modifications have been extensively characterized in eukaryotes, their functional implications for mRNA fate in prokaryotes remain uncertain, and their identities and locations are the subject of an emerging field of research. Importantly, RNA modification is a dynamic process, and variation in the presence and abundance of these modifications has significant consequences for bacterial physiology. Here, we discuss current knowledge of modified RNA nucleotides in bacteria, with a particular focus on their roles in bacterial adaptation to environmental stress.