EEM-Lab

Two new PhD positions are available in the lab to work on the influence of environmental cues on horizontal gene transfer rates. For this we will use the ICEclc model in Pseudomonas, using combinations of single cell transcriptomics, genomics, gene reporters and time-lapse microscopy. Contact me for more information or apply here. Deadline for applications: Nov 1, 2021. Earliest start: Feb 2022.

Sébastian Burz just started his new postdoc in our group, working on microdroplet and microbead cultivation systems to study community interactions. We are very happy to have you here!

What is the environmental fate of antibiotics?

A new study by Birge and Caroline, in collaboration with Kathrin Fenner from the Eawag showed the inhibitory effects that low concentrations of antibiotics have on reproduction and composition of freshwater and activated sludge communities.

They also provided evidence that some microbes may be using at least some of the antibiotics as growth substrates, which is still a very much debated issue. To arrive at their conclusions, they used supervised learning of community changes from multiparametric flow cytometry data.

Good-bye to Roxane, who started a new job and career at the HEP as a science instructor and teacher. We will miss you dearly, Roxane! Good luck in your new profession and hope to see you soon.

Sorry to see all these internship people leave again! Thanks a lot, Elvire, for the amazing time-lapses of growing microcolonies and help to Tania; Klara, for starting superinteresting experiments figuring out cooperative and competitive genes from transposon mutants; Margaux and Laura, for continuing a bit of Gaitan's work, and Iris, for making mutants in the ICE system!  All the best for your future science careers and hope to see you again!