Hannah Hughes

Postdoc researching chemotaxis regulation in A. brasilense in the Alexandre lab at UT Knoxville. Interested in SoTL and biology education in PUIs/SLACs.

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

@malonekn @PLNU Exciting news! I'll definitely have to throw my hat in the ring!

[UTK Microbiology @UTKMicrobiology]

As we begin the '24-'25 academic year, we’re excited to introduce new members of our microbiology community who have joined this past year. We're thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the incredible work ahead!

[Courtney Ellison @C__Ellison]

Excited to share my lab’s first preprint! We found that increasing DNA binding by type IV pili in an Acinetobacter pathogen can boost its natural transformation rates by ~100-fold, demonstrating that DNA binding is rate-limiting for natural transformation. https://t.co/yagYpLeV0w

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

@CTConant @WeAreWilkinson I'll reach out to them and let them know you're interested!

[Julia van Kessel @Biolluminator]

Fantastic gathering of IU labs and alums at #phages2023 !!!

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

Celebrating a fun #Phages2023 poster session with ice cream! (Featuring bracelet by @JenLovesBugs)

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

Excited to present my poster at #Phages2023! Stop by if you want to chat about Azospirillum chemotaxis! @galexan2

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

@samjlord Thanks, Sam! Much appreciated!

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

My 2nd paper is out! We found that PilT primes the extension complex in MSHA pili. Yes- this retraction motor is required for extension!
We started out intrigued by an unusual control strain and ended up revealing interesting facets of pilus regulation.
https://t.co/q4DwrlMLPb

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

Had an amazing time at #blastmeeting2023 this last week! I met some great scientists, learned about cool research and techniques, and explored the beautiful city of Charleston, SC. I was even fortunate enough to win a poster award! Thanks, @BlastMeetings!

[BLAST Meetings @BlastMeetings]

A warm hello from the Social Media Committee @KRNichu @necrosignaling @Eli_Monteagudo @AmandaZdimal @ShrivastavaLab

Blasting off #Blastmeeting2023

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

@kittythekat3000 A perfect accompaniment to breakfast! (Not this week though, cause I'm in San Diego and that's the wrong direction) 😬

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

@kittythekat3000 East coast time zone people are up! Gimme a ring! ☎️

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

@brezybear @sandiegozoo I love the fern trail! That's my favorite part of the zoo!

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

Yesterday I successfully defended my PhD in Microbiology! I've had an amazing time here at IU and I'm so very grateful for all the support I've had along the way. Next up- a postdoc with @galexan2 at UT Knoxville!

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

Why do MSHA pili not exhibit hyperpiliation upon deletion of the retraction motor? Because in this system, the retraction motor is actually involved in extension!
Check out my new preprint to learn more:
https://t.co/0xd3y7Rn7r

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

Additionally, this story has evolved quite a bit since the preprint- even to the point of adjusting our final conclusions! Many thanks to the reviewers for their suggestions!
https://t.co/aXoTh9FOof

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

My first first-author paper is up on bioRxiv!
To summarize, here's a limerick I wrote upon completing the genetic screen:
Deprived of all O2 for days,
Cells mutated cdpA.
They stuck to the surface,
Saying "none can deter us!" -
Their signaling in disarray.
https://t.co/zgI2gECSR3

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

My 1st first-author paper is officially published!
This story started with a cool observation under the microscope (cells detaching in a wave!), and ended up characterizing an entire regulatory pathway inducing MSHA pilus retraction.
Check it out!
https://t.co/jcWd8QwH0D

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

This was a highly collaborative project- thanks to the many coauthors who contributed!

[Hannah Hughes @katyq42]

@EricHughesSD