Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)

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

1.4K followers682 following440 posts

Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT) reposted

Stephan Hacker
@stephanhacker2.bsky.social

Finding new covalent antibiotics usually hits two major walls: the time-consuming synthesis of tailored libraries and the challenge of target identification after phenotypic screening. Storm van der Voort addressed both bottlenecks in one comprehensive workflow. (1/8) doi.org/10.26434/che...

Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

The effects of novel oral preclinical PolC inhibitor antibiotic candidates on the gut microbiome in a murine thigh infection model | Microbiology Spectrum journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

journals.asm.orgThe effects of novel oral preclinical PolC inhibitor antibiotic candidates on the gut microbiome in a murine thigh infection model | Microbiology SpectrumThis study evaluated the class effect of PolC inhibitors on the microbiome as part of the preclinical development plan for systemic PolC inhibitors. Similar to the non-absorbable antibiotic, ibezapols...

Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT) reposted

Alan McNally
@alanmcn1.bsky.social

Pangenomes. Yersinia. This is just heaven for me. Awesome paper!!! Would like a wee bit more info on how the plasmid was ID’d from the methods used. But my god this is a read!

fseersholm.bsky.social@fseersholm.bsky.social

Do you like riddles(and molecular biology)? Maybe you can help me solve this one. We’ve found a short piece of DNA (a plasmid) present in almost all plague samples from the Second Plague Pandemic (1338-1840), but absent in all earlier or later plague cases. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

biorxiv.orgA near-ubiquitous plasmid characterises Second Pandemic Yersinia pestisYersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, crippled population across Eurasia in three well-described historical pandemics: The Justinianic plague (541-780), the Second Pandemic (1346-1840) and t...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

A call for sharing phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility data alongside bacterial genome sequence data in public archives www.nature.com/articles/s44...

nature.comA call for sharing phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility data alongside bacterial genome sequence data in public archives - npj Antimicrobials and Resistancenpj Antimicrobials and Resistance - A call for sharing phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility data alongside bacterial genome sequence data in public archives

Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT) reposted

Nature Reviews Microbiology
@natrevmicro.nature.com

ICYMI: New online! Predicting resistance evolution to guide antibiotic development

dlvr.itPredicting resistance evolution to guide antibiotic developmentNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01373-0Resistance emergence is a major challenge to antibiotic development, often undermining promising drug candidates and negating years of research and pharmaceutical investment. In this Review, Pál and colleagues propose a resistance-based classification system for antibiotic development that integrates early resistance predictions into the prospective development of new antibiotics.

Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT) reposted

Nature Reviews Microbiology
@natrevmicro.nature.com

ICYMI: New online! Towards broader-spectrum direct-acting antivirals against RNA viruses

dlvr.itTowards broader-spectrum direct-acting antivirals against RNA virusesNature Reviews Microbiology, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41579-026-01372-1In this Review, Neyts and colleagues discuss the rationale for developing broader-spectrum antivirals against RNA viruses, survey promising antiviral targets and agents, and outline strategies to accelerate clinical development and strengthen outbreak preparedness.
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

Phases of Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI) in the United States: The History and Epidemiology of CDI From 1935 to Present academic.oup.com/cid/article-... "It may behoove us to prepare for a different kind of CDI: community-based and insidious rather than hospital-predominant and explosive"

academic.oup.comThe Phases of Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI) in the United States: The History and Epidemiology of CDI From 1935 to PresentThis review contextualizes Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) as a phased epidemic. Following a slow emergence and a rapid acceleration driven by hyp
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

The Master Regulator Spo0A Integrates DNA Sequence and Shape to Regulate the Sporulation Kinase Gene kinA in Bacillus subtilis - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

onlinelibrary.wiley.comThe Master Regulator <fc>Spo0A</fc> Integrates <fc>DNA</fc> Sequence and Shape to Regulate the Sporulation Kinase Gene <fi>kinA</fi> in <fi>Bacillus subtilis</fi>During starvation, progressive Spo0A~P accumulation is decoded by three Spo0A~P-binding sites and intrinsic DNA bending within the kinA promoter. Together, these features fine-tune kinA transcription...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

An endolysin-expressing probiotic attenuates Clostridioides difficile infection in germ-free and dysbiotic microbiota-associated mice www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

biorxiv.orgAn endolysin-expressing probiotic attenuates Clostridioides difficile infection in germ-free and dysbiotic microbiota-associated miceDisruption of the intestinal microbiota increases susceptibility to Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), creating an opportunity for prophylactic interventions before symptomatic disease develops. We investigated whether Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) engineered to express the bacteriophage-derived endolysin CD27L could enhance pathogen inhibition and attenuate CDI. Using a plasmid-cured EcN chassis and pMUT2-derived vectors, we generated strains expressing CD27L under constitutive or anaerobically regulated promoter control. The constitutive strain, BioEcN1, reduced viable C. difficile recovery relative to parental EcN and was selected for animal studies. BioEcN1 remained recoverable from monoassociated mice without in vivo antibiotic selection, with similar recovery on selective and nonselective media supporting construct retention. Prophylactic administration reduced clinical disease, body-weight loss, and intestinal histopathological injury in germ-free mice. Observed survival was 100% in BioEcN1-treated challenged mice versus 50% in untreated challenged mice during the monitored period. Protection was accompanied by lower fecal and cecal pathogen burdens. In mice harboring a human-derived dysbiotic microbiota, prophylactic BioEcN1 also reduced clinical and stool-consistency scores, with lower early fecal pathogen recovery and less colon shortening. These findings establish preclinical proof of concept for prophylactic administration of an endolysin-expressing probiotic to attenuate CDI. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT) reposted

European Vaccine Initiative e.V.
@europevaccine.bsky.social

EVI-led #Inno4Vac held its 5th Annual Meeting in Leiden. Over 75 representatives from 39 organisations came together to discuss the development of predictive biological & mathematical models of #vaccine performance and bio-manufacturing.🖥️ 🩺🦠 www.inno4vac.eu/post/inno4va... @ihieurope.bsky.social

inno4vac.euInno4Vac Annual Meeting 2026 held in Leiden, The NetherlandsThe Inno4Vac 5th Annual Meeting and its Subtopic satellite meetings were held from 29 September – 01 October 2026, involving more than 75 representatives from the project’s 39 Partner organisations. ...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

A dual-action bacteriophage protein Ped1 degrades DNA and blocks replication in Pseudomonas aeruginosa link.springer.com/article/10.1... #nuclease #helicase

link.springer.comA dual-action bacteriophage protein Ped1 degrades DNA and blocks replication in Pseudomonas aeruginosa - The EMBO JournalTo fully harness phage therapy against escalating antimicrobial resistance, it is imperative to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms by which viruses systematically dismantle host physiology. In this ...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

Colonization resistance against Clostridioides difficile is a graded, microbiota-intrinsic property of healthy human gut communities academic.oup.com/ismehm/artic...

academic.oup.comColonization resistance against Clostridioides difficile is a graded, microbiota-intrinsic property of healthy human gut communitiesAbstract. The success of fecal microbiota transplantation and live biotherapeutic products in preventing recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection demon

Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT) reposted

Prof Jenny Rohn
@jennyrohn.bsky.social

"Our findings underscore that infectious disease spillover and emergence are multi-causal, and that no one-size-fits-all strategy can prevent #epidemics and #pandemics." So what can we do, then? See suggestions in this interesting (but sobering) read #IDSky

Colin Carlson@colincarlson.bsky.social

If you missed it last week, we published the largest ever study on emerging infectious diseases. Not really in vogue right now, but the next pandemic will come sooner than you think. Key lessons: nature-based solutions where you can, health system strengthening always. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT) reposted

Susan Schlimpert
@s-lab.bsky.social

It is happening, and registration is open for the EMBO Workshop: Bacterial and archaeal cell division: diverse mechanisms and models. 20–23 April 2027 | Barga, Italy. Come and join us @awehenkel.bsky.social, @seamusholden.bsky.social, @s-lab.bsky.social ! Deadline: Jan 6, 2027. #Bacdiv27

EMBO@embo.org

Sign up now for the EMBO Workshop "Bacterial and archaeal #CellDivision: Diverse mechanisms and models" in Barga (Lucca), Italy, 20–23 April 2027. Deadline: 6 January 2027 https://meetings.embo.org/event/27-cell-division #EMBObacDiv27 #genetics #biochemistry #StructuralBiology #EMBOevents 🧪

Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

It's a wrap! #ICDS2026 has come to an end. As usual, flawless execution, great crowd. There will be another ICDS in two years - but not organised by Maja Rupnik anymore. Lots of respect and appreciation for what she has done over the past decades for the #cdiff community.

Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT) reposted

Prof Jenny Rohn
@jennyrohn.bsky.social

Thrilled our latest paper out @natureportfolio.nature.com Nature Comms, lead author @microberamon.bsky.social, who developed P-FLO, a urine-flowing human micro-bladder model in collab with Oxford & Leicester to understand #UTI biology & treatment failure 1/4 #UTISky www.nature.com/articles/s41...

nature.comEffect of human urinary microenvironment and fluid flow on antibiotic and phage therapy efficacy against uropathogenic Escherichia coli - Nature CommunicationsMaset et al. show that bladder conditions strongly influence how urinary tract infections respond to antibiotics and bacteriophages, highlighting the need for more realistic lab models to improve diag...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

This is a great study by @joeyzacks.bsky.social et al on "asymptomatic" carriage of Cdiff in infants. Must read! Early-life colonization with Clostridioides difficile remodels the developing gut | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

science.orgEarly-life colonization with Clostridioides difficile remodels the developing gutClostridioides difficile causes severe disease in adults but commonly colonizes infants asymptomatically. The consequences of early-life colonization on host development remain unknown. In a neonatal ...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

Effects of sexual dimorphism and estrous cycle on murine Clostridioides difficile infection | Infection and Immunity journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

journals.asm.orgEffects of sexual dimorphism and estrous cycle on murine Clostridioides difficile infection | Infection and ImmunityClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is responsible for approximately 25% of all antibiotic-associated diarrhea (1, 2). In the United States, over 223,900 CDI cases occur annually, with a mortalit...

Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT) 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...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

Clinical failure of an extended-pulsed fidaxomicin regimen associated with emergence of a Clostridioides difficile isolate with reduced fidaxomicin susceptibility in an elderly man | Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

journals.asm.orgClinical failure of an extended-pulsed fidaxomicin regimen associated with emergence of a Clostridioides difficile isolate with reduced fidaxomicin susceptibility in an elderly man | Antimicrobial Age...Fidaxomicin is a macrocyclic antibiotic recommended as the preferred antimicrobial treatment for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) when available (1, 2). Fidaxomicin is as effective as oral van...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

Very interesting! Novel surveillance design exploiting network analysis for efficient, rapid detection of emerging Clostridioides difficile strains www.nature.com/articles/s41...

nature.comNovel surveillance design exploiting network analysis for efficient, rapid detection of emerging Clostridioides difficile strains - Nature CommunicationsUsing network analysis for inter-hospital spread and algorithmically optimising sentinel site selection, the authors design a surveillance system to rapidly detect emerging nosocomial pathogen strains...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

Uncovering an alternate pathway of antibiotic resistance in spore-forming bacteria www.nature.com/articles/s41... #mecA #clostridia

nature.comUncovering an alternate pathway of antibiotic resistance in spore-forming bacteria - Nature CommunicationsCephamycin antibiotics inhibit sporulation of the pathogenic bacterium Clostridioides difficile by targeting the spore protein SpoVD. Here, the authors show that isolates carrying the resistance gene ...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

Balancing act of cytokines in controlling the severity of Clostridioides difficile infection | Infection and Immunity journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

journals.asm.orgBalancing act of cytokines in controlling the severity of Clostridioides difficile infection | Infection and ImmunityClostridioides difficile is the most common cause of health care-associated gastrointestinal infections and is responsible for approximately half a million infections and 30,000 deaths in the United S...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

Pyocyanin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa creates legacy effects that promote antibiotic resistance evolution in enterococci | Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... from @lizscurious.bsky.social 's team

journals.asm.orgPyocyanin produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa creates legacy effects that promote antibiotic resistance evolution in enterococci | Antimicrobial Agents and ChemotherapyBacterial infections may consist of different species that together form a polymicrobial community, as is the case in urinary tract infections (UTIs) (1–3). The response to antibiotic treatment of suc...
Wiep Klaas Smits (ExpBac/CMAT)
@smitslab.bsky.social

A hierarchical regulatory cascade defines the temporal window of natural transformation in Staphylococcus aureus www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

biorxiv.orgA hierarchical regulatory cascade defines the temporal window of natural transformation in Staphylococcus aureusNatural transformation (NT), a major mechanism of horizontal gene transfer, promotes bacterial genome plasticity and contributes to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. NT requires the developm...