Sign in

George O'Toole (he/him/his)

@geiselbiofilm.bsky.social
655 followers 7 following 558 posts

Elmer R. Pfefferkorn, PhD, Professor of Microbiology & Immunology at the Geisel School of Medicine, EiC of the Journal of Bacteriology; Bacterial Biofilms, Surface Sensing, c-di-GMP Signaling, Polymicrobial Communities & Gut Microbiota in Cystic Fibrosis

PostsRepliesMedia
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Excited to be part of another collaboration with my colleague Mark Sundrud exploring the impact of bile on immune regulation. This study is lead by Mark's postdoc, Zhiping Xiao. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42779649/
063
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
New in JB: Baker, Nizet et al. explore the role of monounsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis in the ability of Streptococcus to deal with envelope homeostasis and stress - highlighting species and context dependence. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42565831/ @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
062
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
JB Editor's Choice: Stoner, Fairbanks-Mahnke & Clark have written a really fantastic review on the complex interactions of Prevotella with the host and other microbes during infection. journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
173
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Work by Kaitlyn Barrack, my former PhD student, was featured on the Small Things Considered blog: smallthingsconsidered.blog/schaechter/2... Here's the link to the paper: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42262087/ @asm.org #JBacteriol
smallthingsconsidered.blog
Col­ibactin (cont.)
Noteworthy — Now, a link between colibactin production and intestinal dysbiosis in cystic fibrosis patients.
182
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
Tanmay Bharat @tbharat-lab.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Diverse S-layer anchoring mechanisms create an epiplasmic space in prokaryotic cell envelopes. Our review with @bupbuse.bsky.social and @vikramalva.bsky.social discussing a cellular compartment created by the S-layer out in Current Opinion in Microbiology. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
12412
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
JB Editor's Pick: Park and Sauer show that the chemosensory protein BdlA relocates to the flagellar pole during dispersion of P. aeruginosa from a biofilm, linking cdG regulation and restored motility. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42584418/ @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
062
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
Marine Biological Laboratory @mblscience.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We’re exploring the possibility of an MBL Alumni Weekend—and we want to know what would make you excited to return! Tell us what you’d love to see, do, learn, and experience during an alumni weekend. Take the Alumni Weekend Interest Survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/6YBKF5M
052
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 28/09/2026
Registration is open for #IMARI2027! Join leaders from academia, biotech, pharma, and government Jan. 27-29 in Las Vegas to advance AMR research and collaboration. Advanced rates end Oct. 28. asm.social/36v
Person holding a microphone and smiling. Text says "Registration now open for IMARI 2027. Join us in Las Vegas, January 27-29, 2027"
154
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 28/09/2026
The traditional landscape of dermatophyte infections has changed over the past decade. In #ClinMicroRev: an overview of currently recognized dermatophyte species, complexes & genera, describing phylogenetic, ecological, and biochemical relatedness. asm.social/36x
KOH wet mounts of nail tissue containing dermatophyte hyphae with arthroconidia, stained with Parker Ink (A and B), viewed under a light microscope, and calcofluor white (C), viewed using a fluorescence microscope with ultra-violet light. Images in panels A and B: Sarah Kidd, School of Biological Sciences, Adelaide University.
122
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 28/09/2026
ASM is launching the Detection to Protection (D2P) Initiative, bringing leading voices together to lay out a specific, expert-validated blueprint to address emerging infectious and zoonotic disease threats. Read the press release: asm.social/36D
asm.social
ASM Launches Detection to Protection Initiative
ASM is launching the Detection to Protection Initiative, bringing leading voices together to lay out a specific, expert-validated blueprint to address emerging infectious and zoonotic disease threats.
033
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
New in JB: Check out this wonderful editorial by Tao Dong, one of our Editors, about the connections between JB and Chinese researchers back to the 1930's. really inspiring! journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
010
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The newest issue of JB is out! A swarm is featured on the cover. Check out the newest minireviews, research articles and this month a special historical piece. journals.asm.org/toc/jb/208/9 @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
journals.asm.org
JB Table of Contents Volume 208, Issue 9
Journal of Bacteriology: Table of Contents Volume 208, Issue 9
165
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Pls share: Two tenure-track positions in Molecular Microbiology at Virginia Tech. I had a great visit there a couple of years ago! jobs.apply.vt.edu/jobs/assista...
jobs.apply.vt.edu
Assistant/Associate Professor - Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
Job Description The Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science at Virginia Tech seeks applicants for two (2) tenure-track research and teaching positions at the Assistant/Associate ...
01434
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
New in JBL Tembiwa, Boutte et al. explore mechanisms of corrdinating polar peptidoglycan synthesis in Mycobacterium smegmatis. journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
030
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Pls ahre: Open recruitment in the new Department of Systems Biology at UC Irvine. Assistant Professor in Systems Biology, experimental or theoretical, who will complement existing strengths in the department (systems.bio.uci.edu). Application link: recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10377
systems.bio.uci.edu
Systems Biology | UC Irvine Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences
Welcome to the Department of Systems Biology at UC Irvine Leading the way to Discovery, Explanation, and Prediction Department of […]
0510
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 24/09/2026
Watch ASM’s new video on how #ASMClinMicro laboratory directors adapted to the Cyclospora outbreak through real-time diagnostic stewardship! Learn how to meet testing needs during an outbreak. asm.org/videos/cyclo...
asm.org
Cyclospora Chaos and Real-Time Diagnostic Stewardship
Clinical microbiology directors share how their hospital systems met testing needs during the cyclospora outbreak.
053
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
Marine Biological Laboratory @mblscience.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
On Monday, undergraduate students in the 2026 Semester in Environmental Science (SES) course sampled water at multiple locations including Waquoit Bay to examine photosynthesis and chlorophyll content. 🌊 The goal: to compare marine and freshwater systems to glean insights
0102
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
New in JB: Thanks to all the authors who contributed to the meeting report covering the 10th American Society for Microbiology Conference on Biofilms! Check it out. journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
176
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 23/09/2026
Join us Sept. 24 at 12 p.m. ET to discuss the 2026 Cyclospora outbreak. We will examine the partnership between clinical and public health laboratories during outbreak response, including surveillance investigations. Register for free: asm.social/368 #ASMClinMicro
asm.social
ASM-CDC Cyclospora Webinar
The session will also discuss emerging diagnostic technologies, diagnostic stewardship considerations and lessons learned that can help laboratories prepare for and respond to future outbreaks.
033
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 23/09/2026
Scientists generally don’t need quantum mechanics to predict and understand how life works. Or do they? Are there biological processes whose behavior we cannot fully explain without quantum effects? Research in bacteria suggests the answer might be yes. Read the article: asm.org/articles/202...
asm.org
Exploring the Emerging Field of Quantum Microbiology
Can microbes exploit quantum phenomena? From photosynthesis to bacterial nanowires, scientists are investigating how quantum effects may shape microbial life.
031
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
New in JB: Quiles Pérez, Bradley et al. show that Clostridium scindens, a member of the Lachnospiraceae, can catabolize riboflavin anaerobically - a finding confirmed by re-analysis of metabolics data from germ-free mice. journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
021
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 23/09/2026
NASA-supported scientists have been collecting microbial isolates from a wide variety of space-related research projects. The Space Microbial Culture Collection (SMCC) is creating a repository of those isolates to be accessible to the scientific community. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNUp...
youtube.com
NASA's Space Microbial Culture Collection
YouTube video by ASM - Microbes Make Our World
051
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Pls share: CSU Chico is looking for a tenure track microbiologist that is excited about general microbiology and microbial diversity and would be interested in living in Northern California! The job link is: jobs.csuchico.edu/ch/en-us/job...
jobs.csuchico.edu
Online Employment System
Search and apply for jobs at Chico State
021
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Making Winogradsky columns as a fun activity - part of a grad class on microbial physiology I am co-teaching with Deb Hogan. I learned this receipe @mblscience.bsky.social
190
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 22/09/2026
Last chance to apply for the spring semester! The ASM-Weber State University Micro Certificate Program is your key to launching a career in the medical micro profession. Complete 12 credits and in-lab training at your own pace. Apply by Oct. 1! asm.social/362 #ASMClinMicro
asm.social
ASM-Weber State University Microbiology Certificate
The ASM-WSU Microbiology Certificate Program offers the required education and training needed to work in a Clinical Microbiology laboratory.
011
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
Marine Biological Laboratory @mblscience.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
APPLICATIONS OPEN‼️ Apply to the Grass Fellowship by December 1 and gain access to research support including laboratory space, animals, equipment and supplies for one summer at the MBL. Partnered with @grassfoundation.bsky.social 🔗 More info here: go.mbl.edu/grass2026
064
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 22/09/2026
In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth, ASM celebrates and spotlights the vital contributions of Hispanic and Latine microbiologists, whose work continues to shape and advance the field of microbiology every day! Explore our focus page: asm.social/35n
asm.social
Hispanic Microbiologists
The American Society for Microbiology celebrates the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latine scientists across the field of microbiology.
063
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
Buzz Baum @buzzbaum.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
We are looking for a research assistant! Come join the team: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSZ826/r...
jobs.ac.uk
Research Support Officer | Cell Biology | Dr Buzz Baum | LMB 2904 at MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Start your UK & international job search for academic jobs, research jobs, science jobs and managerial jobs in leading universities and top...
02846
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
New in JB: Nguyen & Godoy-Carter review the links between DNA damage and biofilm dispersal for Acinetobacter baumannii. journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... @asm.org #JBacteriol #MicroSky
052
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 21/09/2026
On Feb. 3-5, join laboratory and industry leaders in New Orleans to discuss the future of clinical and public health microbiology. The theme is: Redefining the Where and How of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Testing. Apply by Sept. 28: asm.social/35W #ASMClinMicro
asm.social
Clin Micro Open
The Clin Micro Open (CMO) is an annual meeting that brings together laboratory and industry leaders to discuss current and potential issues affecting the future of diagnostic clinical microbiology.
042
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 21/09/2026
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) often are easily treated when diagnosed, but many people don’t realize they’re infected. These undiagnosed infections may have serious, life-long consequences. asm.social/35Z #SexualHealthMonth
asm.social
The Dangers of Undiagnosed Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) often are easily treated when diagnosed, but many people don’t realize they’re infected. These undiagnosed infections may have serious, life-long consequences.
052
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
New in JB: Ficarrotta, Papin et al. combine 'omics & modeling, plus experiments, to predict and test the metabolism of P. aeruginosa persistors, which are characterized by up-regulation of central metabolism. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42474335/ @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
053
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
Marine Biological Laboratory @mblscience.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The Marine Biological Laboratory has expanded its Board of Trustees with the election of six distinguished leaders. 🔗 Full press release here: go.mbl.edu/2tyzi0
051
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 18/09/2026
🥬 Food safety starts with understanding the microbes behind the foods we eat! "Food Microbiology: An Introduction 5e" explores the microorganisms that impact food safety & quality & more. ➡️Order or request an exam copy: asm.social/35Q #ASMPress #FoodSafetyMonth
This Food Safety Month, explore Food Microbiology: An Introduction, 5th Edition, from ASM Press-Wiley!
162
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
Open Ephys @open-ephys.org · 18/09/2026
Butterflies and axolotls: our acquisition systems had a busy summer at the MBL @mblscience.bsky.social ! 🦋🧠 This year, we supported Grass Fellow Jack Supple and Whitman Fellow Angelo Forli @aforli89.bsky.social with Open Ephys acquisition boards. Here’s what they’ve been up to.
A summer of science at MBL: Jack Supple, Grass Fellow from Imperial College London, in the lab beside an Open Ephys recording setup, and Angelo Forli, Whitman Fellow from Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, at the MBL waterfront.
2155
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 18/09/2026
Are you looking for your next opportunity in microbiology? ASM Career Connections makes it easy to: • Receive personalized job recommendations. • Upload your resume/CV and increase your visibility with employers. • Research organizations before applying. www.asmcareerconnections.org
Find your next role on ASM's job board Career connections
employers: post your open positions and search qualified candidates. New this year-- internship postings are available for just $150 for a 4-month listing.
133
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
Marine Biological Laboratory @mblscience.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
APPLICATIONS OPEN‼️ Apply to the Whitman Center Fellowship program and gain access to state-of-the-art instrumentation, innovative imaging technology, genome sequencing, and availability of model freshwater and marine organisms. 🔗 More info here: go.mbl.edu/whitman
195
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Excited to say that Sarvesh's poster at the Microbial Dark Matter Symposium is award winning! He received the outstanding presentation award! @mblscience.bsky.social
191
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New in JB: Wang, Gomelsky et al. engineer a fluorescent Pss-specific binding probe, PssZ*-mS, and use it to show the conservation of Pss production across wild Listeria strains. journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
132
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Sarvesh Surve, a PhD student in the lab, is presenting the work he and many others in the class did, at the Microbial Diversity course @mblscience.bsky.social at the Microbial Dark Matter Symposium. This exciting work advances our understanding of CPRs. www.microbial-dark-matter-symposium.com
2145
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
Julian Parkhill @julianparkhill.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This will be an amazing opportunity for the right person. The Department of Veterinary Medicine in Cambridge is recruiting for an established chair who will also be our Head of Department. Your research can be in any area of veterinary science. Please circulate. www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/profess...
cam.ac.uk
Professorship of Veterinary Science
The Board of Electors to the Professorship of Veterinary Science invite applications for this Professorship from persons whose work is connected with veterinary science (ideally in research aligned wi...
11023
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
New in JB: Wiafe-Kwakye, Glenn & Spencer review T7SS - via its secretion of small alpha-helical effectors, to promote interbacterial competition, host colonization, and virulence with a focus on the Lactobacillales. journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/... @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
021
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 16/09/2026
Make an impact in your scientific community. Apply to become an ASM Country Ambassador and join a global network of leaders advancing microbiology through collaboration, engagement and advocacy. Apply by Nov. 1. asm.social/35q
A scientist showing an agar plate to a group young people visiting the lab.
122
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
Marine Biological Laboratory @mblscience.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Join MBL Board Chair Bill Huyett in supporting the MBL Annual Fund. 🔗 www.mbl.edu/give/annual-fund
132
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
New in JB: Kobayashi, Yamanaka et al. show that the serine protease of A. veronii cleaves pro-aerolysin into a hemolytically active toxin, to facilitate crossing the host epithelial barrier via targeting host EpCAM. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42429552/ @asm.org #JBacteriol @microsky.bsky.social
011
George O'Toole (he/him/his) @geiselbiofilm.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Pls share: Princeton has an open rank faculty search in the areas of cancer biology, cancer prevention, and cancer-relevant computational science, including connections between cancer and immunology or metabolism. apply.interfolio.com/191852
11514
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 15/09/2026
Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, remains a major cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illness with an expanding global footprint. Learn about its clinical signatures, immunopathogenesis and diagnostic implications in #ClinMicroRev: asm.social/35d
Trombiculid life cycle and stylostome-mediated feeding. The life cycle comprises free-living soil stages and a single parasitic larval stage. The chigger injects saliva to digest host tissues, and the saliva solidifies with host exudates to form a hardened feeding tube, the stylostome.
163
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
Marine Biological Laboratory @mblscience.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
APPLICATIONS OPEN‼️ Volume Microscopy: from Array Tomography to PFIB SEM is a new course that will introduce participants into a dynamic area of technology development. Photo credit: Kristina D. Micheva 🔗 More info here: go.mbl.edu/vm
186
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 15/09/2026
Happy #PeerReviewWeek! 🎉 We can't wait to welcome you to ASM's "Ask the Experts" webinar. Submit your questions in advance or bring them live as we discuss the practical challenges shaping peer review today. 🔗 Register: asm.social/35h
Ask the Experts: 
AI, Citations, Collaborations and Conflicts of Interest in Peer Review
September 16, 2024 • 11:30 AM ET
Stanley Maloy, Ph.D.
Editor in Chief, JMBE, 
San Diego State University
Laurie Webby
Peer Review Manager, ASM
Moderated by: 
Aashi Chaturvedi, Ph.D.
Senior Program Officer for Ethics and Integrity, ASM
Register Now
152
Reposted by George O'Toole (he/him/his)
ASM @asm.org · 15/09/2026
Ready to help shape the future of ASM? Applications are open for leadership positions on the ASM Board of Directors & Scientific Advisory Councils for ASM Health and ASM Applied & Environmental Microbiology! Applications are due by Oct. 15. Learn more: asm.social/35k
graphic of people sitting at a table next to open call
142