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Phil Elks

@elkslab.bsky.social
698 followers 1.6K following 7 posts

Zebrafish immunology researcher. Views are my own

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Phil Elks @elkslab.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Really pleased to share our new paper on Candida albicans infection (journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...) where we show that Candida species are able to disable a critical defence used by neutrophils in zebrafish and human. Thanks and congrats to all the co-authors for a real team effort!
journals.asm.org
Candida spp. suppress neutrophil reactive nitrogen species to evade killing | mBio
Candida albicans is a fungus that normally lives harmlessly in the human body but can cause life-threatening infections in people with weakened immune systems. A key part of the body’s defense against this fungus is neutrophils, immune cells that kill microbes using toxic molecules. However, how Candida avoids neutrophil defense is not well understood. Here, we used zebrafish and human immune cells to show that Candida suppresses an important neutrophil defense, reactive nitrogen species (RNS), during infection. Unlike bacteria, which trigger RNS, Candida reduces these protective molecules to below normal levels, helping its survival. This effect was also observed with other disease-causing Candida species. We went on to show that both the host and Candida contribute to this suppression. Importantly, boosting the neutrophil response improved survival and helped clear infection, especially when combined with standard antifungal drugs. These findings suggest new ways to support the immune system alongside existing treatments.
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Reposted by Phil Elks
DMM Journal @dmmjournal.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
A #zebrafish study shows that ctsz mutations disrupt #macrophage polarisation and #regeneration, suggesting that Ctsz modulates the inflammatory response to #injury and shapes regenerative outcomes. Bastos, Loynes, Speirs, @elkslab.bsky.social, Braga & co Full article doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
Whole‑mount in situ hybridization images showing ctsz expression in zebrafish larvae. Uninjured larvae display ctsz‑positive cells near the heart cavity, intestinal bulb, and mid‑intestine. A tailfin‑injury schematic marks the region analyzed. Comparative images of wild‑type larvae show minimal staining when uninjured and increased ctsz signal at the wound site after injury, including staining in individual recruited leukocytes.
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Reposted by Phil Elks
Zebrafish Rock! @zebrafishrock.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
As the political climate around animal research becomes less supportive in the UK, it is our interest to argue for & protect organismal biology. BBSRC opened a survey, which gives us a timely platform. Please fill & share link among colleagues. Deadline: 9/2 engagementhub.ukri.org/mrc-bbsrc/la...
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Phil Elks @elkslab.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
An exciting PhD opportunity in a great collaboration between @noelresearchlab.bsky.social and my lab looking at heart infections in zebrafish. Details below. Deadline is the 4th December. www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
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Phil Elks @elkslab.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
This is always such a fun meeting... registration and abstract submissions now open!!!
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Phil Elks @elkslab.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Exciting ZDMS Infection and Inflammation online RIG meetups are rapidly approaching (March 26th and April 2nd). They are FREE TO ATTEND, but please do register here: www.zdmsociety.org/2025-zdms-ri...
zdmsociety.org
2025 ZDMS Rig Meet Up — ZDMS
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Phil Elks @elkslab.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
The excellent Zebrafish Disease Models online seminar series starts in March (www.zdmsociety.org/2025-zdms-ri...). These are free to attend, but registration is required. I'd especially like to highlight the two Infection and Inflammation sessions where we have 6 exciting speakers lined up!
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Phil Elks @elkslab.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Nice to make the move onto Bluesky this week when the Sheffield skies are rather more snowy outside my office window!
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Phil Elks @elkslab.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
An exciting PhD opportunity in a great collaboration between @noelresearchlab.bsky.social and my lab looking at heart infections in zebrafish. Details below. Deadline is the 13th December. www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
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