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VinTorraca

@vintorraca.bsky.social
2.3K followers 3.5K following 64 posts

Lecturer in Infectious Disease at KCL, Infectious Disease and Antibiotic Resistance fighter, zebrafish model devotee, science ambassador.

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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
So honoured to have been invited as a keynote for the Zebrafish Infection and Immunity meeting. Even more excited to hear updates from the other 2 keynotes Prof Jelena Bezbradica Mirkovic and Dr @oehlerslab.org ! Looking forward to catching up with the community! www.zebrafishinfection.co.uk
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
There are still a couple of days to apply for this post! Postdoctoral opportunity to study Shigella persistent infection in zebrafish. Deadline to apply: 3 June.
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
We are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to study Shigella persistent infection using the zebrafish infection model! Deadline to apply: 03-Jun-2026 Link to post: shorturl.at/cCZjK Any questions feel free to get in touch! @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Please repost!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Congratulations to all the winners of the SIMS PGR symposium best talk and poster prizes! Best talks: Xiaohao Xu, Arturo Monzon, Victoria Richardson, Jessica Gates Best posters: Katya Freytag, Deepa Mehta, Stephanie Ng, Rebecca Marrow, Diana Marin Correa, Dora Angelova, Maike Henschel.
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Such a lively poster session at the SIMS PGR Symposium! It’s great to see the amazing science and innovative research our students have been working on. A great opportunity to share ideas, spark discussions, and celebrate the exciting research happening across SIMS!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
What an amazing first session at the SIMS PGR Symposium! Fantastic start to the day with engaging talks from our PhD students and keynote. Now we move on to our first poster session. Well done to everyone involved for all the hard work and dedication that went into preparing for the symposium!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
So many amazing scientists at the @shigellameeting.bsky.social Looking forward to the keynote talks from Philippe Sansonetti and Karen Kotloff!
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Stuart Neil @tetherin.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
www.kcl.ac.uk/news/kings-r... Fantastic achievement for Laura in my lab and Jamieson in @vintorraca.bsky.social lab.
kcl.ac.uk
King's researchers awarded postdoctoral fellowships from Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions for infectious disease research | King's College London
Two researchers in the School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences at King’s College London have been awarded postdoctoral fellowships from Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, part of Horizon Europe.
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
So happy that Jamieson McDonald was awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship to continue his work in my lab, tackling persistent Shigella infection. Congratulations also to Laura Dunn, from @tetherin.bsky.social lab for securing the same award to study HIV latency. www.kcl.ac.uk/news/kings-r...
kcl.ac.uk
King's researchers awarded postdoctoral fellowships from Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions for infectious disease research | King's College London
Two researchers in the School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences at King’s College London have been awarded postdoctoral fellowships from Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, part of Horizon Europe.
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Well done @xosematanza.bsky.social and Clements lab! Happy that I was able to contribute to this nice new publication, using TraDIS to gain insights into how Shigella sonnei can survive long-term nutrient starvation. journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
journals.asm.org
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
A*STAR/KCL PhD scholarship available! Dream of doing cutting-edge research, travelling between continents, and becoming obsessed with modelling infections in zebrafish? My lab and @oehlerslab.org are looking for you! Project details: 👉 shorturl.at/mkt1a Catalogue page 6, project 2.1!
shorturl.at
Joint A*STAR - King’s College London PhD Studentships in Biomedical Science 2026/27
King's College London is seeking outstanding and motivated students to join our university and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
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King's Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine @kingslsm.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
New research led by @vintorraca.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social, in collaboration with the University of Westminster, has shed light on the diversity and characteristics of E. coli strains that drive diabetic foot infections. Read more: www.kcl.ac.uk/news/researc...
Photo of Dr Vincenzo Torraca with quote: "Understanding these bacteria at a genomic level is a crucial step towards improving diagnosis and enabling more targeted treatments for people with diabetes. By identifying which E. coli strains are most common and which antibiotics they are likely to resist, clinicians can choose therapies that are more likely to work, helping to reduce prolonged infection, hospitalisation, and the risk of amputation."
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Our new article on diabetic foot–associated E. coli (DFEC) is out! We show that DFEC strains are highly diverse, frequently antimicrobial-resistant, and carry a broad range of virulence factors, highlighting their potential to cause severe complications in patients. journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Well done Sydeny @sydneylmiles.bsky.social and lab teams! This set of epidemiologically chosen complete genomes will be a valuable resource for scientists working on S. sonnei! doi.org/10.1099/mgen...
doi.org
A public resource of 15 genomically characterized representative strains of Shigella sonnei
Shigella sonnei is rapidly emerging as the dominant agent of shigellosis, an enteric disease responsible for a significant burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Whole-genome sequencing of S. so...
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Preprint from the lab! We describe for the first time the diversity of E. coli strains associated with diabetic foot infections and characterise their antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors content. www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/...
biorxiv.org
Population structure, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence factors of diabetic foot-associated E. coli
Diabetic foot infections (DFI) are a major complication of diabetes, often leading to lower limb amputations. Escherichia coli is a predominant Gram-negative pathogen in DFI, yet its genomic and patho...
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The Shigella Meeting @shigellameeting.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Come and join us in Paris 2026 to talk all about Shigella!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
Applications for the 2026 round of the King's College London Medical Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership (KCL MRC-DTP) in Biomedical Sciences will open on October 8th! Visit the programme website to start preparing your application! lnkd.in/ejK8-GW6 @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Thrilled to have contributed to this new Medical Genetics and Genomics book. In Chapter 8, I discuss how nucleic acid and genome-based techniques transformed diagnostics, pathogen characterisation, patient monitoring, and tracking of infectious diseases in the population. shorturl.at/OfpQe
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
So happy that members of my lab, Zakia, Victor and Ziyi all had chance to show their work at the UK Cellular Microbiology meeting, and with fantastic feedback! @ukcellmicro.bsky.social
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Well done Victor for the flash talk at the UK Cellular Microbiology meeting @ukcellmicro.bsky.social
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Max Gutierrez @maxgg.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
First day of the UK Cellular Microbiology Network #UKCellmicro2025 in Bush House @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Excellent organisation by @codendall.bsky.social @vintorraca.bsky.social @peterwshill.bsky.social @jwanford.bsky.social exciting science, friendly community and wonderful views
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Well done Victor in giving an outstanding flash talk at the UK cell micro meeting @ukcellmicro.bsky.social
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Great start of the UK cell Microbiology meeting with prof Stuart Neil's keynote. @ukcellmicro.bsky.social
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
@codendall.bsky.social opening up the UK Cellular Microbiology meeting!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
@codendall.bsky.social opening up the UK Cellular Microbiology meeting!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
Full house at the UK cellular microbiology meeting, with 120 attendees coming in!
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UK Cellular Microbiology @ukcellmicro.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Updates on our keynotes We’re delighted to open the meeting with Prof Stuart Neil (KCL). On Day 2, we continue with Prof Jose Bengoechea (LSHTM). Both Prof Neil and Bengoechea have been outstanding mentors throughout their careers. We hope our ECRs will take the opportunity to interact with them!
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UK Cellular Microbiology @ukcellmicro.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
We can't wait to see you at the UK cellular microbiology meeting next Monday and Tuesday (2-3 June)! Final programme below!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Torraca lab all aligned today for our group photo!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Last talk session of the SIMS PGR symposium, focusing on inflammation. Zoe, Thomas, Rachel, Una, Katie and Zhoude presented on arthritis, NKT cells in the intestinal epithelium, kidney disease, alchool-related liver disease, T-eff modulated monocytes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
More posters on session 2 of the SIMS PGR symposium! @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Such a diversified range of themes discussed in the immunology session of the SIMS PGR symposium. Athanasios, Maria, Alana, Hannah and Aisling discussed the roles of immune cells in congenital liver diseases, tumours, early life defence, and immunotherapy.
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
What a lively poster session 1 at the SIMS PGR symposium!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Well done to our speakers of the SIMS PGR Symposium session 1: Mark, Miki, James and Joseph. Fantastic talks on their work on Malaria, influenza, HBV and Nipah virus @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Our head of school prof Leonie Taams opening up the SIMS PGR symposium! So happy to see a mix of PhD students and academics gathering together for this annual event! @taamslab.bsky.social @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
We are all set for the annual SIMS PGR symposium, a unique occasion to get all together and hear from our PhD trainees! Lots of beautiful posters are already all set and we look forward to the outstanding list of students' talks lined up! @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social
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UK Cellular Microbiology @ukcellmicro.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
The official registration deadline for the meeting has now passed. We have just a few more tickets left to make it a full house! If you have not registered yet, hurry up! www.ukcellmicro.org/registration... Our speakers are also all lined up. Watch this space for updates on the schedule!
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UK Cellular Microbiology @ukcellmicro.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
🧳 Thanks to sustainable travel awards sponsored by EMBO, ECR abstract submitters (travelling by train/car to attend the UK cellular microbiology meeting) will be able to apply for travel grants - see travel page for more details. www.ukcellmicro.org/travel.html @embo.org
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UK Cellular Microbiology @ukcellmicro.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
🏆 We are pleased to offer ECR prizes at the meeting: - 2 prizes for outstanding talks, sponsored by the Company of Biologists (Disease Models & Mechanisms and Journal of Cell Science) - 2 prizes for exceptional posters, sponsored by the FEBS Journal. @biologists.bsky.social @febsj.bsky.social
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 14/04/2025
🧪 This year’s UK Cellular Microbiology Meeting is shaping up to be truly outstanding! We've received incredible abstracts from ECRs across the #UKCellMicro community! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect and be inspired by the latest in the field. Register now: www.ukcellmicro.org
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
8 days left to submit abstracts for the UK cellular microbiology meeting! Send yours today! Template and instructions here: www.ukcellmicro.org/abstracts.html
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
🧪 To all microbiology enthusiasts in the UK! Registrations and abstract submissions now open for the UK Cellular Microbiology Meeting 2025. Join us in London on 2nd-3rd June! www.ukcellmicro.org
UK Cellular Microbiology Meeting 2025 Flyer
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
🚨 URGENT: Calling all UK cellular microbiologists! 🚨 Strange flying objects have been spotted over Central London… and they look suspiciously microbial. 🦠👀 We need your expertise to investigate at the UK Cell Microbiology Meeting! www.ukcellmicro.org
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UK Cellular Microbiology @ukcellmicro.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Strange sights in central London! 🚨 UK Cell Micro 2025 is here! 🚨 📅 2nd-3rd June 2025 📍 King’s College London Join us for fun science, networking, and a rooftop social! 🌇🎉 💡 Submit your abstract by 10th April ukcellmicro.org
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
Thanks @zebrafishrock.bsky.social, you don t miss anything that happens to our community!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
There are still a couple of days to apply for this PhD project. A fantastic KCL-A*STAR partnership to study bacterial persistent infections! @vintorraca.bsky.social @oehlerslab.org Project 4.1 of the project catalogue, page 10 Deadline to apply: 23rd February!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
A baby starter pack waiting to grow! Join the UK cellular microbiology community!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Join us at the UK Cellular Microbiology meeting at KCL this summer! A fantastic opportunity to network and to hear research updates from our favourite UK-based Cell Micro labs! #UKCellMicro
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Such a great paper showcasing the power of the zebrafish model to determine why certain lineages of a pathogen are more successful than others. Here @sydneylmiles.bsky.social tells us why Shigella sonnei lineage 3 is more successful than other lineages!
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VinTorraca @vintorraca.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
What a fantastic trio! @codendall.bsky.social, David Fear and I, at our host-microbe interactions lab practical today! Glad to hear today that the students really enjoyed the microbiology lab work we proposed!
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