Dr Rachel Floyd
@drrachelfloyd.bsky.social
Biological Sciences Programme Director at Uni of Liverpool, full time phage hunter, part time birder and wanderer. South Wales has my heart, but Liverpool is my home.
What do bacterial biofilms & jellyfish have in common? 🪼 🦠Researchers found that Bacillus subtilis biofilms can eject cells from their interior using a mechanism that is similar to how jellyfish fire their stinging threads. Watch Microbial Minutes: youtu.be/12fojfZgCTY
Ejecting Bacteria From Biofilms - Microbial Minutes
YouTube video by ASM - Microbes Make Our World
youtu.be
💧 Storage conditions can significantly affect #WaterQuality testing. #Ecoli and other #fecal indicator #bacteria remained stable longest when samples were kept cold (~4°C), while warmer or changing temperatures shortened reliable holding times. 🦠 acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Evaluation of fecal indicator bacteria concentration in different water sources, storage treatments, and holding times
Accurate water quality monitoring of microbial indicators hinges on understanding the impact of holding times and treatments on water sample results. This study examined interacting factors influenci...
acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Freshwater invertebrate analysis to study wildfires impact on river and stream water quality in Die 🇫🇷 @livunifrance.bsky.social #zoology and #phagehunting to collect water samples to screen for the @cf-trailfinder.bsky.social bank. This is One Health research in action @livuni-ismib.bsky.social
The @livunifrance.bsky.social hike to the Vercors plateau was phenomenal. A challenging trek, but worth it for the incredible panoramic views of the Parc naturel régional du Vercors. Eating lunch being watched closely by vultures is something I’ll never forget
En route to Col de Rousset on the wonderful #Vercors Plateau, alt 1350m asl, to look for #vultures, #ibex and belles vues #LivFrance2026 @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social @stuartwigby.bsky.social
What does it take to run the @livunifrance.bsky.social Zoology field course? A fabulous team of @livuni-ismib.bsky.social teaching technicians and Ben and James are the best! They plan, test, pack and repair every single thing we need for our 2 weeks in the field.
Good morning to the beautiful #Vercors Natural Regional Park, Drôme, and the first full field day of the #LivFrance2026 #Zoology field course! Sweep nets and binoculars at the ready! @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social @stuartwigby.bsky.social
Incredible #hill and #mountain scenery as we near our field centre for #LivFrance2026 , the ancient monastery in Sainte Croix, Drôme. Bring on the #Zoology @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social @stuartwigby.bsky.social
Arrived safely in the incredible Old Monastery of Sainte-Croix field centre, close to Die in the Drôme department of France. Beautiful surroundings for our @livunifrance.bsky.social field course, where our Biosciences @livuni-ismib.bsky.social students carry out ecological studies #LivFrance2026
Soil microbial health is essential for maintaining the Earth system. phys.org/news/2026-08...
Soil methane sink may be larger than thought, three-model analysis finds
Methane-munching microbes in soil might be more important than previously thought, a new study finds. Soil is an important carbon sink, and scientists are still learning much about the diversity of it...
phys.org
Fantastic to help organise the Phage Bootcamp held in Liverpool last month. Attendees screened some of the 140 samples collected by our undergraduates in their BIOS206 practical classes and found some phage that might be useful in clinical therapeutics. lnkd.in/p/ej7FQq6g
Phage Bootcamp Attracts 40 Participants from UK Institutions | Microbiome Innovation Centre posted on the topic | LinkedIn
We were delighted to welcome 40 participants to our recent Phage Bootcamp, bringing together a fantastic mix of undergraduate and postgraduate students, PhD researchers, postdoctoral scientists, clini...
lnkd.in
While I was in Pembrokeshire, I collected water samples along the coastline to see if we could isolate any interesting bacteriophage. It was lovely to chat to so many children who wanted to understand more about what I was doing and they were keen to show me what they’d found in the rock pools.
It’s devastating to see the impact of these wildfires on many of South Wales’ designated landscapes. Many of these sites were a huge part of my childhood, being taught about native plants and insects by my grandmother in Blaenavon. It’s heartbreaking to see the ecological impact on these areas.
Tirweddau Cymru Landscapes Wales@tirweddaucymru.bsky.social · 2mo agoSummer 2026: Wildfires leave their mark on Wales’ Designated Landscapes landscapeswales.org.uk/summer-2026-...
Packing the essentials for the @livunifrance.bsky.social field course next week. Follow the Field Course account to see our undergraduate students studying the wonderful flora and fauna of the Vercors Regional National Park #LivFrance2026 @livuni-ismib.bsky.social
🧠🦠 Researchers report a rare case in which a #UrinaryTractInfection progressed to a #brain abscess, highlighting the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of serious #bacterial #infections. #Bacteria #Microbiology #Microsky via @sciencex.bsky.social
From urinary tract infection to brain abscess: How bacterial subpopulations can spread to distant body sites
Researchers from the University of Cologne, the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT present a clinical case in the New England Journal of Medicine…
medicalxpress.com
Exciting day handing over 145 phage samples collected by our Year 2 Biosciences Undergraduates @livuni-ismib.bsky.social for screening by @cf-trailfinder.bsky.social director Prof Jo Fothergill’s team. This work represents 4 years of development with students as partners in #Curriculum2027
How #bacteria shape the #health of #lakes and #reservoirs revealed ... | #microbes | #freshwater | #ecosystems | #biodiversity | Via @eurekalert.bsky.social
Global study reveals how bacteria shape the health of lakes and reservoirs
A sweeping new study has uncovered global patterns in how bacteria thrive and interact within lakes and reservoirs, offering new insights into the invisible forces that sustain freshwater ecosystems.…
eurekalert.org
Ready to apply for Fellowship? Our Fellowship Application Builder starts 29 September 2025 and is designed to give you the clarity, structure, and confidence you need to prepare a strong application. The first cohort of the academic year is now open for booking: bit.ly/3HQeEsI
Incredible experience with working with the team @exeter.ac.uk to understand how to integrate cutting edge citizen science into our brand new year 2 undergrad Biosciences practicals @livuni-ismib.bsky.social @livunihls.bsky.social
Trailfinder CF Innovation Hub@cf-trailfinder.bsky.social · last yr.This week members of the team are attending a phage bootcamp @exeter.ac.uk, led by Trailfinder CF co-investigator Dr Ben Temperton and researchers Dr Michelle Michelsen and Christian Finch. The team are having a brilliant time and learning lots of new lab skills for phage isolation! #phage
Today our @livuni-ismib.bsky.social School of Biosciences team celebrated the achievements of another incredible cohort of undergraduates. It’s an honour to be a small part of their story.
Another beautiful day at Ezemvelo studying #SouthAfricanWildlife with 25 of our fabulous @liverpooluni.bsky.social Biosciences students. Day 2 of the independent projects with @krossy.bsky.social studying the biodiversity and behaviour of ungulates, birds and insects.
Sign up to attend the 40th Cell Physiology workshop. This esteemed and long-running event offers specialist training in electrophysiology through broad-ranging lectures and practical lab exercises. For more info and to register for the workshop - tinyurl.com/55bwjs8m 📆 Starts Monday 11 August
Dr Harriet Lahiff, a postdoctoral researcher in the @livunicancer.bsky.social, recently participated in our Teaching Experience Initiative to gain valuable teaching experience. ➡️https://bit.ly/3DfU2qV @livuni-ismib.bsky.social #TeamLivUni
