SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity

@spp2389.bsky.social

From single cells to intricately constructed colonies - bacteria are multicellular wonders! An interdisciplinary research effort to unravel the intricate paths, regulation systems and structures behind the multifaceted forms of bacterial multicellularity

112 followers77 following37 posts

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

CIBSS – Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies
@cibss.bsky.social

Welcome to Freiburg, Bakteriopolis! We’re very happy to be part of the organising team and to bring this fascinating microbial world to Freiburg. Come by, explore, and discover the hidden world of microbes! 👉 kurzlinks.de/bua1 #Bakteriopolis #Microbiology #ScienceCommunication

Wolfgang Hess@cyanolab.bsky.social

Bakteriopolis, now in Freiburg. A cool, interactive exhibition about the tiny ones. Mo-Fri 10:00 to 16:00, other times can be arranged.

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

Wolfgang Hess
@cyanolab.bsky.social

Bakteriopolis, now in Freiburg. A cool, interactive exhibition about the tiny ones. Mo-Fri 10:00 to 16:00, other times can be arranged.

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

Ákos T Kovács
@evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social

Differential restructuring of a complex compost microbiome by metabolically distinct Streptomyces through community-dependent microbial interactions #ISMECommunications by Jana Schniete et al from @lore-fermar.bsky.social academic.oup.com/ismecommun/a...

academic.oup.comDifferential restructuring of a complex compost microbiome by metabolically distinct Streptomyces through community-dependent microbial interactionsAbstract. Microbial interactions are key determinants of soil and compost ecosystem function, yet remain difficult to dissect in complex, heterogeneous env
SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

What do eukaryotes and some of the most ancient bacteria have in common? Calcium signaling! New press in EurekAlert! on #SPP2389 member @selimlab.bsky.social work on cellular communication in cyanobacteria @hhu.de @unituebingen.bsky.social

Khaled_Selim Lab@selimlab.bsky.social

A press about our recent publication on Ca2+ signaling for controlling communication machinery in #cyano bacteria🦠 @hhu.de @cmfi.bsky.social @unituebingen.bsky.social Supposed by @spp2389.bsky.social @sfb1381.bsky.social @mibinet.bsky.social @ceplas.bsky.social www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

Khaled_Selim Lab
@selimlab.bsky.social

🧵 #Bacterial #Multicellularity: We discovered that Ca2+ signaling controls cellular junctions in #cyanobacteria, similar to Euks @embojournal.org A great collab. w/ @weiss-lab.bsky.social #TeamTomo @hhu.de @spp2389.bsky.social @cmfi.bsky.social @mibinet.bsky.social link.springer.com/article/10.1...

link.springer.comThe calcium-binding protein CSE links Ca2+ signaling with cell-cell communication in cyanobacteria - The EMBO JournalMulticellular cyanobacteria have evolved sophisticated cell–cell communication machinery to exchange, synchronize, and coordinate the efforts of individual cells. Analogous to gap junctions that have ...

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

Ákos T Kovács
@evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social

Comprehensive and Comparative Transcriptional Profiling of the Cell Wall Stress Response in Bacillus subtilis #MolMicrobiol from Thorsten Mascher @spp2389.bsky.social, Rut Carballido-López and colleagues onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

onlinelibrary.wiley.comComprehensive and Comparative Transcriptional Profiling of the Cell Wall Stress Response in Bacillus subtilisTranscriptional profiling of the primary cell envelope stress response (CESR) of Bacillus subtilis exposed to a range of cell wall-targeting antimicrobials, combining RNAseq and high-resolution tilin...

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

Ákos T Kovács
@evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social

A family of endonucleases blocks nanotube-mediated plasmid exchange YokF encoded within prophage @natmicrobiol.nature.com from Sigal Ben-Yehuda, Ilan Rosenshine with Boris Maček within ERCSyG and @spp2389.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...

nature.comA family of endonucleases blocks nanotube-mediated plasmid exchange - Nature MicrobiologyThe YokF endonuclease provides a donor-controlled mechanism to limit plasmid transfer to recipient bacteria via nanotubes in Bacillus subtilis, with YokF functional homologues found across Gram-positi...
SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

What started out as a student project has grown over the last 2 years into a full-fledged review! So many thanks to @escolizzi.bsky.social for leading this multicellular effort and sharing your evolutionary wisdom with us 🫶🏻🦠

Enrico Sandro Colizzi@escolizzi.bsky.social

How common is multicellularity in bacteria? And archaea? And how does it evolve? We wrote a short review "On the architecture and evolution of prokaryotic multicellularity". Preprint link: bit.ly/4ta06Gq Sharing and comments are much appreciated. 1/4

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

Interested in the regulation and evolution of multicellularity in Strepromyces? Natalia Tschowri (@unihannover.bsky.social) and Daniel Rozen (@unileiden.bsky.social) are looking for a PhD student as part of #SPP2389 ! #PhDposition

Ákos T Kovács@evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social

PhD position with Natalia Tschowri (@unihannover.bsky.social) and Daniel Rozen (@unileiden.bsky.social @leidenscience.bsky.social) within @spp2389.bsky.social program Regulation and Evolution of Bacterial Multicellularity Application deadline until 15 March 2026 #PhDposition

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

Khaled_Selim Lab
@selimlab.bsky.social

Our latest paper on Guanidine metabolism in #Cyanobacteria is out @pnas.org (it's useful as N nutrient but toxic at the same time) A great collaboration w Klähn lab w small part from us on toxicity😅 @hhu.de @spp2389.bsky.social @sfb1381.bsky.social @mibinet.bsky.social www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

pnas.orgDeciphering guanidine assimilation and riboswitch-based gene regulation in cyanobacteria for synthetic biology applications | PNASGuanidine is well known as a denaturing agent. However, recent studies have demonstrated both the widespread synthesis of guanidine, e.g., in plant...
SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

Last chance to visit Bakteriopolis at the @tudresden.bsky.social Excellence Days event!

TU Dresden@tudresden.bsky.social

"Excellence Days" auf der Mommsenstraße: Nach dem Auftakt heute habt ihr morgen nochmal die Möglichkeit, zwischen 11 und 15 Uhr die exzellente Forschung der TUD zu erleben. ✨ Vor der Alten Mensa präsentieren sich die Exzellenzcluster sowie @joddid-forschung.bsky.social, das COSMO & viele mehr.

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

Surface matters! Chitin alters both intraspecies interactions and biofilm architecture in Vibrio cholerae in marine snow Preprint on @biorxiv-microbiol.bsky.social ⬇️

bioRxiv Microbiology@biorxiv-microbiol.bsky.social

Vibrio cholerae interaction with predatory bacteria on chitin suggests an alternative mode of biofilm formation in marine snow conditions https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.31.685833v1

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

Cellulose is a critical component in the cell wall of Streptomyces, and accessory proteins involved in its biosynthesis support both its unique cell envelope and multicellular filamentous growth From Daniel Claessens’ lab in @cp-trendsmicrobiol.bsky.social #microsky #streptomyces #multicellularity

Trends in Microbiology@cp-trendsmicrobiol.bsky.social

Cellulose biosynthesis and function in Streptomyces

dlvr.itCellulose biosynthesis and function in StreptomycesCellulose, a ubiquitous polysaccharide with critical roles in life, provides structural integrity to cells in plants and aids biofilm formation in many bacteria. Although bacterial cellulose biosynthesis is well studied in certain groups, its diversity in other lineages remains underexplored. Recent insights from filamentous streptomycetes reveal that cellulose is directly incorporated into the cell wall at growing tips, likely protecting hyphae during growth. This review examines cellulose biosynthesis, regulation, and secretion mechanisms in Streptomyces, and highlights how its structural organization supports distinct cellular functions. We also discuss the evolutionary context of this system. Together, these insights broaden our understanding of bacterial cellulose diversity and suggest that cellulose biosynthesis has evolved convergently to support different lifestyles, growth modes, and morphogenetic strategies.

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

Ákos T Kovács
@evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social

Evolution of One Species Increases Resistance to Invasion in a Simple Synthetic Community Microbial Ecology link.springer.com/article/10.1...

link.springer.comEvolution of One Species Increases Resistance to Invasion in a Simple Synthetic Community - Microbial EcologyThe species that make up a microbial community determine its potential function. A major goal of microbial ecology is to make assemblages of microbes — synthetic communities — with targeted applicatio...
SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

Interested in working on microbial interactions and cooperative cross-feeding? Join @kostchristian.bsky.social as a part of #SPP2389 !

Christian Kost@kostchristian.bsky.social

#microsky #mevosky @spp2389.bsky.social A PhD position is available in my lab to work on: Emergence and self-organisation of bacterial metabolism in consortia of cross-feeding bacteria. Please RT Deadline: 12.11.25 More infos 👇 shorturl.at/rAKAT

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

ETH Zurich
@ethz.ch

All cells – from mammalian cells to microbes – can follow different biological paths. Whether they grow and divide, specialise, age or die depends on the pathway they take. New findings by researchers at ETH Zurich could help influence a cell’s decisions to target diseases such as cancer.

ethz.chProtein condensates determine a cell’s fateDo cells contain a mechanism that decides on their fates? Researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated in a new study that large clusters of molecules determine a cell’s future.

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

Khaled_Selim Lab
@selimlab.bsky.social

A bit late 🙃 but happy to share our recent findings on #cdiAMP signaling in controlling #cyanobacteria #diurnal rhythm in @cp-iscience.bsky.social www.cell.com/iscience/ful... #cdiAMP is involved in almost all cellular processes, explaining it's essentiality in #cyano @hhu.de @mibinet.bsky.social

cell.comDiurnal rhythm causes metabolic crises in the cyanobacterial mutants of c-di-AMP signaling cascadeBiological sciences; Biochemistry; Microbiology; PII-like protein SbtB; c-di-AMP signaling; Cyanobacteria; Carbon/Nitrogen metabolism; Redox imbalance; Photosynthesis; Reactive oxygen species (ROS); C...
SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

Streptomyces and other filamentous actinomycetes are treasure troves of a vast collection of antibiotic compounds - an evolutionary feature linked to their unique multicellular lifestyle

Matt Hutchings@matthutchings.bsky.social

The million dollar question…new review from Matt Tracker and colleagues www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...

annualreviews.orgWhy Do Filamentous Actinomycetota Produce Such a Vast Array of Specialized Metabolites? | Annual ReviewsBacteria of the phylum Actinomycetota are extremely diverse: They inhabit niches ranging from soils and ocean sediments to the normal human microbiota, and they cause tuberculosis, one of the most pre...
SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

Curious about kin recognition systems? Take notes from Proteus and Myxococcus! @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social

Ákos T Kovács@evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social

Kin Recognition Systems and Their Role in Multicellular Behaviors #AnnuRevMicrobiol by Karin Yaniv and Karine Gibbs @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social four bacterial and eukaryotic microorganisms with collective migration where recognition is known or implied www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...

annualreviews.orgKin Recognition Systems and Their Role in Multicellular Behaviors | Annual ReviewsInteractions between individuals are at the foundation of every community. Furthermore, multicellular behaviors can emerge when individuals come together. Microbes—bacteria, fungi, archaea, and parasi...
SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

A bit late to the party, but happy belated international microorganism day!

FEMS@femsmicro.org

Happy International Microorganism Day! 🎉 Today, we are celebrating the tiny powerhouses that have a massive impact on our world. From the bacteria in our gut to the fungi that give us antibiotics, these incredible organisms are essential to life. Let's make some noise for the microscopic!

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

We loved hearing @khammerschmidt.bsky.social talk about evolution at the #MultiBac2025 conference this January - check out the @asm.org report on the origins of early microbial life!

Katrin Hammerschmidt@khammerschmidt.bsky.social

Happy to have been part of EVOLUTION & MECHANISMS GOVERNING MULTICELLULARITY—one of 3 workshops behind @asm.org’s new report. Big questions, great conversations—looking back on origins of microbial life and what lies ahead. Highly recommended read: asm.org/reports/earl... #MicroSky #MEvoSky #EvoSky

asm.orgEarly Microbial Life: Our Past, Present, and FutureThe Academy report, funded by a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, examines the origins and trajectory of early microbial life to inform and inspire future research.

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

Khaled_Selim Lab
@selimlab.bsky.social

A very interesting study by @cyanofur.bsky.social Lab on biofilm formation by filamentous #Cyanobacteria Nostoc Could be interesting for @spp2389.bsky.social nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.comTowards the control of biofilm formation in Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. PCC7120: novel insights into the genes involved and their regulationCyanobacteria are major components of biofilms in light-exposed environments, contributing to nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation and global biogeochemical processes. Although nitrogen-fixing cyanob...
Cyanofur (M Fillat lab. Unizar)@cyanofur.bsky.social

Happy to announce that our work on #biofilm formation by the #cyanobacterium Anabaena is available in New Phytologist. Towards the control of biofilm formation in Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. PCC7120: novel insights into the genes involved and their regulation. nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.comTowards the control of biofilm formation in Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. PCC7120: novel insights into the genes involved and their regulationCyanobacteria are major components of biofilms in light-exposed environments, contributing to nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation and global biogeochemical processes. Although nitrogen-fixing cyanob.....

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

Ákos T Kovács
@evolvedbiofilm.bsky.social

Antimicrobial efflux and biofilms: an interplay leading to emergent resistance evolution @cp-trendsmicrobiol.bsky.social from Rosalind Allen, Frank Schreiber groups (within @spp2389.bsky.social and @microverse.bsky.social) www.cell.com/trends/micro...

cell.comAntimicrobial efflux and biofilms: an interplay leading to emergent resistance evolutionThe biofilm mode of growth and drug efflux are both important factors that impede the treatment of bacterial infections with antimicrobials. Decades of work have uncovered the mechanisms involved in b...
SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

Only a few more weeks until the Long Night of Science (Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften) here in Dresden! www.wissenschaftsnacht-dresden.de

TU Dresden@tudresden.bsky.social

Wissenschaft zum Anfassen, Mitmachen & Staunen! 🧑‍🔬 Am 20.6. ist es wieder soweit: Die Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften #Dresden öffnet ihre Türen! Erlebt bei der #LNdWDD an der #TUDresden zahlreiche Experimente, Vorträge & Mitmachaktionen für Jung & Alt. Zum Programm ➡ wissenschaftsnacht-dresden.de

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

Bacterial colony architecture is heavily influenced by the strain and its environment - how can we study the spatial organization of these heterogeneous groups? Susann Müller's group developed a method for biopsies on the microscale! besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.comBacterial colony biopsies: Spatial discrimination of heterogeneous cell types by cytometric fingerprintingColonies of pure bacterial strains are highly dense cellular structures organised in distinct and typical arrangements. The size, shape and variability of bacterial colonies are strongly species-d...
SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
@spp2389.bsky.social

We heard Stefan talk about his work on multicellularity in Stenotrophomonas at our conference this January, check out his latest preprint!

Anupama Khare@anukharelab.bsky.social

New preprint alert 🚨: We found that Steno maltophila senses a quorum sensing molecule from the co-infecting pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and switches to multicellular aggregates as a protective mechanism. #MicroSky www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

biorxiv.orgStenotrophomonas maltophilia exhibits defensive multicellularity in response to a Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing moleculeMicroorganisms commonly exist in polymicrobial communities, where organisms can respond to interspecies secreted molecules by altering behaviors and physiology, however, the underlying mechanisms rema...

SPP2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity reposted

Michelle Leger
@freejakoba.bsky.social

The page for the EMBO multicellularity meeting organized by @multicellgenome.bsky.social , @martaalvarez.bsky.social and colleagues is online! #multicellularity #protists meetings.embo.org/event/25-mul...

meetings.embo.orgEvolution and origins of multicellularity across the tree of lifeThe study of the origins and evolution of multicellularity in different lineages has recently captured the attention of many research groups and is fueling the generation of numerous innovative resea…