iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 11/07/2026

The real-world impact? This supercharged biocontrol strain efficiently neutralises devastating pathogens like Erwinia amylovora (fire blight) and Salmonella enterica. 🍏🌾. Thanks the sevillian team and great collaboratos @joaoftsbotelho.bsky.social @lukeallsopp.bsky.social MT Sanchez Romero 👏👏 (4/4)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 11/07/2026

We also characterised the orphan protein Hcp5, revealing that it integrates with standard components to form a novel "mixed tube". This structural twist expands the diversity of effector "bullets" the bacterium can fire, upgrading its natural arsenal. 🛠️🦠 (3/4)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 11/07/2026

By tracking population dynamics at a single-cell level, we found that deleting the RsmIEA repressors unleashes the system. This mutation drastically increases the proportion of active "attacker" cells, maximising their lethality against competing microbes. 🧬💥 (2/4)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 11/07/2026

Fresh out of the lab! Our new preprint is now up on BioRxiv, exploring how the beneficial bacterium Pseudomonas putida controls its T6SS nanoweapon. It turns out the Gac/Rsm pathway acts as a strict molecular brake on the system. 👇 (1/4) Read the full preprint here: doi.org/10.64898/202...

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 18/05/2026

Delighted to host @joaoftsbotelho.bsky.social at the University of Seville. He gave a fantastic talk on mobile genetic elements. Thank you so much for your visit, great to have you here.

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 14/03/2026

Tke5 is highly effective against major plant pathogens like P. syringae and R. solanacearum, which threaten crops like tomatoes and potatoes worlwide. 🍅🥔 4/5

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 14/03/2026

The immunity protein Tki5 binds directly to Tke5 within the membrane to neutralise the toxicity and ensuring the bacterium doesnt harm itself and it is protected from sisters firing. 3/5

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 14/03/2026

Tke5 is a pore-forming toxin from the BTH_I2691 (VasX) toxin family that creates subnanometric channels into the target inner membrane. These pores allow ions to leak, causing membrane depolarisation and cell death without destroying the cell's overall integrity. 2/5

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 14/01/2026

I am thrilled to share with you the outcome of the first collaboration with Albesa-Jove's lab (albesalab.org), in which we characterised the molecular mechanisms underlying the binding of a T6SS adaptor-effector pair in P. putida, Tap3–Tke5. (🧵1/9). Read the full paper here: doi.org/10.1038/s443...

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 06/10/2025

In conclusion, we have shown that the T6SSs are essential for competitive rhizosphere colonisation. The wildtype P. putida strain significantly alters the bacterial community structure compared to T6SS mutants. (10/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 06/10/2025

The K1-T6SS specifically affects taxa such as Rhizobiaceae while the K2/K3-T6SSs exclusively affect other groups like Azospirillaceae. The systems impact a wide phylogenetic range, modulating the abundance of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in the rhizosphere. (9/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 06/10/2025

The presence of wildtype P. putida strain significantly alters the community structure (beta-diversity) of the resident microbial community when compared to T6SS mutants. Our analysis reveals that the different T6SS clusters show specificity, demonstrating a flexible competitive strategy. (8/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 06/10/2025

We found that these secretion systems are key for effective rhizosphere colonisation. When tomato plants were inoculated with T6SS-deficient mutant strains, there was a significant reduction in bacterial recovery from the rhizosphere compared to the wildtype strain. (6/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 06/10/2025

We demonstrate for the first time the functionality of the K2 and/or K3-T6SS clusters. Silent against standard lab strains, they became functional in vitro against plant pathogens and in vivo within the rhizosphere microbiota, suggesting an adaptive response to competitive pressure.(5/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 06/10/2025

P. putida KT2440 is equipped with three T6SS clusters: K1, K2, and K3. Previously, only the K1-T6SS was known to be active under laboratory conditions, where it kills severe plant pathogens such as P. syringae and X. campestris. (4/11)

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 06/10/2025

Our paper, describing how the T6SSs of P. putida shape the tomato rhizosphere, is now in its final format in @isme-microbes.bsky.social ISME Communications. If you'd like to learn more, here is a thread (1/11) or read the Article doi.org/10.1093/isme....

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 15/08/2025

New prepint ‼️ We studied how the 3 T6SSs of P. putida shape the rhizobiota of tomato plants. Spoiler alert: K2- and K3-T6SS do not kill E. coli, but they are functional in the rhizosphere. In collaboration with the lab of Prof. Marta Martin & Rafael Rivilla @uam.es www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 27/01/2025

Great to see @joaquinbernal.bsky.social and @lopezigual.bsky.social. Welcome to Cielito lindo. It is nice and cosy here ☺️ Follow them for secretion systems/Salmonella and synthetic biology/cyanobacteria. Still need to convince Alejandro Arce from this picture 😂

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 05/01/2025

Planning your conference for 2025? Are you into toxins and secretion systems? Registration for ETOX 2025 opens tomorrow 6th until January 31st: www.etox-meetings.org. It will be amazing, check out our invited speakers 🤩. Go and prepare your abstract, we are looking forward to meeting you in Spain!!

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 17/12/2024

Saying goodbye today to Citlaly Cando, a fantastic student from Mexico who spent six months with us. We enjoyed "churros con chocolate" to gift her a delicious memory of Spain. We'll miss you dearly!

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 14/12/2024

Sharing in #BlueSky a 2023 review on #T6SS that I loved co-authoring with my fantastic friend and collaborator @lukeallsopp.bsky.social He coined the catchy, musical first part of our title: "Killing in the Name of: T6SS Structure and Effector Diversity" Check it out: buff.ly/3Zzh0Rz #Microbiology

Figure showing the different steps of assembling, firing and disassembling of a Type Six Secretion System

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 02/12/2024

Por fin en mis manos, deseando leerlo tranquilamente estas navidades 📚. Las chicas del muro de @yosoycorra.bsky.social

Foto de la portada del libro ‘Las chicas del muro’ de Jorge Corrales

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 29/11/2024

Today, I attended an exciting symposium "Revolution in the Classroom: AI as a Learning Opportunity" at @unisevilla.bsky.social exploring the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in education and our lives. A revolution we better embrace and enjoy their endless possibilities 🎓. #AI

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 28/11/2024

Para los que estéis hoy por Sevilla, No os perdáis en La Tregua a Carmen Álvaro Castro hablando de Danas, huracanes y otros eventos extremos. El tema no puede ser de mayor actualidad. Como dice @danielgomcab.bsky.social pregunta a una profesional y evita los bulos.

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 26/11/2024

Great to see @ageinves.bsky.social here!! Let’s help them reconnect with the Spanish community of scientists 👩🏻‍🔬 🧑‍🔬👨🏽‍🔬🧫🔭🔬⚗️🧬🥼🧪🦠🩻⚕️🏥🩺

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 14/11/2024

Trying Buffer for the first time to schedule a post on Bluesky. New times ahead 🙂, bye-bye Elon Musk, I will definitely not miss X.

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 12/11/2024

New #MicroSky followers 📣 We are pleased to announce that ETOX 2025, the 22nd European Workshop on Bacterial Protein Toxins, will be held in Spain 🇪🇸, June 29 - July 3, 2025. Registration opens on January 6. Apply here etox-meetings.org and join us for a great meeting!!!Please repost 🦋 Thanks 😊

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 10/11/2024

We are pleased to announce that ETOX 2025, the 22nd European Workshop on Bacterial Protein Toxins, will be held in Spain, June 29 - July 3, 2025. Registration opens on January 6. Apply here etox-meetings.org and join us for a great meeting! Please repost

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 08/02/2024

Tomorrow at IBVF (CSIC + Universidad de Sevilla), we have the pleasure to have Jean Marc Ghigo @jmghigolab.bsky.social . Don’t miss it if you have the chance !!!

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 27/01/2024

Absolutely honoured to host Microbiology legend Ken Timmis at University of Seville this week! His talk on International Microbiology Literacy Initiative was truly inspiring. Grateful for invaluable stories, advice & experiences shared. It was very special to have him here.

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 11/12/2023

Look at this Environmental Microbiology Workshop 2024 led by Juan Luis Ramos, Puri López-García & @vdlorenzo.bsky.social held in beautiful Baeza, Spain. Applications are open till Jan 15th. Speakers include @pabnik.bsky.social, A. Prieto, D. Salvachua, J. Gilbert, T. T. Narancic, K. Timmis & more

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 01/11/2023

From X @pabnik.bsky.social @LabNikel is hiring a Research Assistant! Looking for an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic and innovative environment @DTUBiosustain? Please see the description below and get in touch with @DeMaria_SynBio for inquires Metabolic #Engineering #SynBio #Biofluorination

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Patricia Bernal @pbernalt6ss.eurosky.social · 22/10/2023

X post highly recommended: Junior POSTDOC fellowship on Bacterial Quorum Sensing in gut Microbiota funded available in @KarinaXavierLab at @IGCiencia Portugal. Discover novel mechanisms of Chemical Communication in the Mammalian Gut Microbiota: Apply at karinaxavierlab.weebly.com/positions.html

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