Led by Anna Jaeger and Elena Cruz-Adames, we have a new preprint out on within-sample diversity and local spread of H5N1 in Pennsylvania! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6.... We developed a sequencing protocol and bioinformatic pipeline to sequence residual RNA from H5+ wild and domestic birds in PA.

Within- and between-host dynamics of highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic birds from Pennsylvania farms and live bird markets

Since late 2021, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI) of the H5 subtype clade 2.3.4.4b have spread across the Americas, devastating wildlife, agricultural animals, and resulting in dozens ...

biorxiv.org

We are recruiting postdocs to work on antimicrobial resistance and bacterial cell envelope biology. PLEASE SHARE.

🧵 After years out of the field, I and my lab are again working on bacterial type IV pili. We have just posted our first preprints, and I'm excited to share what we have discovered. This shows Neisseria gonorrheae bacteria infecting a human epithelical cell. Here, you can see the pili in red. 1/

New preprint: with increasing resistance to ceftriaxone, the last recommended antibiotic for gonorrhea, we urgently need new drugs. Two--zoliflodacin & gepotdiacin--are up for approval by the FDA in Dec. Here we show a point mutation can result in cross-resistance. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Zoliflodacin and gepotidacin cross-resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Resistance to zoliflodacin, a first-in-class antibiotic for gonorrhea treatment, can occur through gyrBD429N, but this mutation's impact on fitness and resistance to other topoisomerase targeting drug...

biorxiv.org

Our lab's paper describing the North American H5N1 epizootic is out now in Nature! So thrilled to have this out, and congratulations to @lambod50.bsky.social for all the fantastic work on this: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Ecology and spread of the North American H5N1 epizootic - Nature

The panzootic of highly pathogenic H5N1 since 2021 was driven by around nine introductions into the Atlantic and Pacific flyways, followed by rapid dissemination through wild migratory birds, primaril...

nature.com

Microbiology Postdoctoral Position (Please re-post) A funded postdoctoral position in Chicago will open in 2026 to study aspects of Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis, antigenic variation, genetics, or physiology. If interested, please get in touch with Hank Seifert h-seifert@northwestern.edu

Our lab's first paper is out! Led by Jordan Ort, we developed NextClade datasets that enable rapid H5 clade assignment via NextClade. We deployed these during the start of the H5 cattle outbreak, and we finally published the paper in Virus Evolution academic.oup.com/ve/article/1...

Development of avian influenza A(H5) virus datasets for Nextclade enables rapid and accurate clade assignment

Abstract. The 2022 panzootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses has led to unprecedented transmission to multiple mammalian species.

academic.oup.com

There are half a million cases of invasive non-Typhoidal Salmonella (iNTS) every year and while you might know S. Typhimurim and Enteritidis, you may not have heard of S. Panama 💩 🩸 🧫 💊 Check out our latest in @lancetmicrobe.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.la... and the 🧵 below to find out more 1/n

Our lab is hiring!! We are looking for a research assistant who will be involved with our experimental evolution studies on how stress affects population dynamics in E. coli. Great opportunity for recent grads! E-mail for more info and apply here: ecsr.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...

Delighted to see the first version of our new ELife paper. A collaboration with Levi Morran, we show how an intact antibiotic resistance gene (mecA) changes the course of S. aureus evolution on a new host. Kudos to Michelle Su and Kim Hoang for making this happen. elifesciences.org/reviewed-pre...

⚠️ New preprint ⚠️: Two new antibiotics are likely coming for gonorrhea 💊. How should we deploy them in the US to minimize drug resistance? @kroster.bsky.social @dhelekal.bsky.social Eva Rumpler @yhgrad.bsky.social [1/10] www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...

Comparing Strategies to Introduce Two New Antibiotics for Gonorrhea: A Modeling Study

Introduction Drug resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent public health threat. The anticipated approval of two new antimicrobials for gonorrhea prompts the need for evidence-based rollout st...

medrxiv.org

Using doxycycline after unprotected sex — doxy PEP — is effective at reducing some sexually transmitted infections in some people. But new research suggests is probably also driving development of resistance to tetracycline antibiotics in some bacteria. www.statnews.com/2025/07/09/d...

Use of antibiotic to reduce STIs appears to be fueling some antibiotic resistance, research shows

The use of the antibiotic doxycycline to reduce STIs appears to be fueling some antibiotic resistance, according to new research.

statnews.com

Now out in NEJM. Kudos to @dhelekal.bsky.social and @tatumdmortimer.bsky.social : www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/...

Expansion of tetM-Carrying Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the United States, 2018–2024 | NEJM

During 2018–2024, the percentage of N. gonorrhoeae isolates carrying tetM, which confers tetracycline resistance, increased from less than 10% to more than 30% across the United States.

nejm.org

Yonatan Grad@yhgrad.bsky.social · last yr.

New preprint, as described by David below. There's been an increase in doxycycline use for prevention and treatment of bacterial STIs. What's happened to resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae? Here we track tetM, a tetracycline-resistance gene, looking at both proportion and phylogenetics.

The Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center at UGA is looking for an avian microbiologist (open rank, tenure-track position) to lead the bacteriology/mycology diagnostic section! Find out more about the position and apply here: www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/437...

If you are an early career research attending @stihiv2025.org and interested in learning more about data visualization in R, @odileharrison.bsky.social , Sim Dabee, and I are organizing a workshop during the conference (11:30am-1:30pm on Wednesday). Register here: forms.gle/e4UL1NG62PUD...

ECR Data Visualisation Workshop

Please complete this application to attend the Data Viz workshop. This event will be held at the 2025 STI & HIV World Congress in Montreal, Canada on Wednesday, July 30th from 11:30-13:30. Effective...

forms.gle

Dr. Yonatan Grad @yhgrad.bsky.social, Professor of immunology and infectious diseases comments on the potential impact of recent decisions related to vaccines made by Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Read it here at bit.ly/3T2KPqX

RFK Jr. moves on vaccines could have broad ramifications for public health, says expert | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Yonatan Grad, professor of immunology and infectious diseases, comments on the potential impact of recent decisions related to vaccines made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr...

bit.ly

I got the opportunity to speak with Science about my individual research fellowship being terminated. I was awarded the NSF GRFP before I chose Harvard for graduate school, but I still got cut. I study how we can improve treatments for a common antibiotic resistant bacteria, so this is sad to see

Jeffrey Mervis@policyhound.bsky.social · last yr.

After 73 years, is NSF's graduate research fellowship program circling the drain? www.science.org/content/arti...

All of NIH funding to Northwestern University is frozen. This pause includes noncompeting approved funding, new and competing grants with fundable scores. No reimbursements for money already spent have been received since March. This situation is rarely reported so please Please get the word out!

In this preprint, we consider the explanations for the observed drop in gonorrhea incidence in the US and the evidence needed to evaluate them. A critical takeaway: without the CDC data & monitoring, we're unlikely to know. Those huge cuts to the CDC undermine efficient, effective healthcare.

Kirstin Oliveira Roster@kroster.bsky.social · last yr.

New preprint. After years of increases, gonorrhea diagnosis rates dropped in the US in 2022 and 2023. While the news is promising, understanding WHY is key to sustaining progress. dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/427...

New preprint. After years of increases, gonorrhea diagnosis rates dropped in the US in 2022 and 2023. While the news is promising, understanding WHY is key to sustaining progress. dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/427...

I'm a current Harvard graduate student and I found out today that I had my NSF GRFP terminated without notification. I was awarded this individual research fellowship before even choosing Harvard as my graduate school

Excited to share the newest preprint from the lab for my first post! Driven by @tayellisonwrites.bsky.social and @ianyyen.bsky.social with Lynne Howell we show the protein FimX has diverged in function away from regulating pilus extension to instead regulate pilus localization in A. baylyi

FimX regulates type IV pilus localization via the Pil-Chp chemosensory system in Acinetobacter baylyi

Type IV pili (T4P) are widespread dynamic appendages required for diverse prokaryotic behaviors including twitching motility, biofilm formation, and DNA uptake leading to natural transformation. Altho...

biorxiv.org

Excited to share the first beta release of AMRrules at #ABPHM! (Poster 42 tonight) interpretamr.github.io/AMRrules

With nearly all of Harvard Chan School’s direct federal grants terminated, we are relying on philanthropy to power our research and support our educational programs. Every gift, regardless of size, advances our vision of health, dignity, and justice for every human. Support our work: hsph.me/whygive

Yesterday, the NIH R35 “Outstanding Investigator” grant to fund scientists in my lab studying antibiotic resistance was terminated for reasons not related to the content of the science, or any actions taken by me or members of my lab

Are you able to mentor a summer student and have a good project that can be virtually administered, sign up to be an NSURP mentor today! If you can't, hit that share button please and thank you! #NoLabNoProblem #NSURP uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Our preprint and much other work was only possible because of data generated by the CDC STD lab, which was shuttered in the HHS layoffs last week. This is a huge blow to efforts to monitor resistance, guide clinical care, & inform policy www.statnews.com/2025/04/05/c... @helenbranswell.bsky.social

CDC’s top laboratory on sexually transmitted diseases is shut by Trump administration

The Trump administration fired everyone in a CDC lab that is crucial to tracking drug-resistant gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases. "We are blind," an expert says.

statnews.com

Yonatan Grad@yhgrad.bsky.social · last yr.

New preprint, as described by David below. There's been an increase in doxycycline use for prevention and treatment of bacterial STIs. What's happened to resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae? Here we track tetM, a tetracycline-resistance gene, looking at both proportion and phylogenetics.

(1/10) New preprint: Expansion of tetM-carrying Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the US, 2018-2024; Link: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...

Although we are not federally funded for this summer, WE WILL STILL RUN The National Summer Undergraduate Research Project (NSURP) in 2025. We remain committed to the work that needs to be done and will continue to meet people where they are. 1/4 nsurp.org

NSURP.org

National Summer Undergraduate Research Project

nsurp.org

Some of the most talented people I know have joined, or were about to join, the EIS. This is an immense loss.

Helen Branswell 🇨🇦@helenbranswell.bsky.social · last yr.

Doing the unthinkable: The deep cuts to the #CDC's workforce today are expected to decimate the Epidemic Intelligence Service, a program that has trained public health rapid responders for decades. Envy of the world. Poof! www.statnews.com/2025/02/14/t...