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Dr Rachel Floyd

@drrachelfloyd.bsky.social
24 followers 39 following 13 posts

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.

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Reposted by Dr Rachel Floyd
ASM @asm.org · 11/09/2026
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
youtu.be
Ejecting Bacteria From Biofilms - Microbial Minutes
YouTube video by ASM - Microbes Make Our World
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Reposted by Dr Rachel Floyd
Microbes.Info @microbesinfo.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
💧 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/...
acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
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...
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
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
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
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
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Reposted by Dr Rachel Floyd
livunifrance.bsky.social @livunifrance.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
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
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
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.
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Reposted by Dr Rachel Floyd
livunifrance.bsky.social @livunifrance.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
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
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Reposted by Dr Rachel Floyd
livunifrance.bsky.social @livunifrance.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
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
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
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
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Reposted by Dr Rachel Floyd
Rage Against the Miocene @organiccarbon.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Soil microbial health is essential for maintaining the Earth system. phys.org/news/2026-08...
phys.org
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...
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
lnkd.in/p/etbFE38y
lnkd.in
It’s fantastic to see so many people learning new skills and discussing phage biology. We’ve already found some exciting phage during the Bootcamp from a variety of environmental samples, some of… | R...
It’s fantastic to see so many people learning new skills and discussing phage biology. We’ve already found some exciting phage during the Bootcamp from a variety of environmental samples, some of whic...
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
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
lnkd.in
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...
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
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.
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
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.
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
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
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Reposted by Dr Rachel Floyd
Microbes.Info @microbesinfo.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
🧠🦠 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
medicalxpress.com
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…
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
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
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Reposted by Dr Rachel Floyd
Microbes.Info @microbesinfo.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
How #bacteria shape the #health of #lakes and #reservoirs revealed ... | #microbes | #freshwater | #ecosystems | #biodiversity | Via @eurekalert.bsky.social
eurekalert.org
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.…
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Reposted by Dr Rachel Floyd
Advance HE @advancehe.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
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
Fellowship Application Builder starts 29 September 2025
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
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
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
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.
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Dr Rachel Floyd @drrachelfloyd.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
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.
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Reposted by Dr Rachel Floyd
Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences @livuni-ilcams.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
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
A group of students engaging in practical lab sessions.
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Reposted by Dr Rachel Floyd
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences @livunihls.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
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
A blog title card on a navy blue background with white text. The text reads "From Lab to Lecture: My experience with the HLS Teaching Initiative". The picture to the right is a photo of Dr Harriet Lahiff and Dr Carl Sheridan in front of the School of Medicine building on our main campus in Liverpool.
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