Sebastian Shaw

Sebastian Shaw

@millseba.bsky.social

Dad. Scientist. Interested in how Cryptosoridium tricks its host cells!

240 followers445 following98 posts

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Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

Exciting news!!
I’ve been awarded an #SNSFStartingGrant and will join the Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich as an Assistant Professor in summer 2026.
A dream come true! 🥺

Sebastian Shaw reposted

Nature Microbiology
@natmicrobiol.nature.com

Out Now! Genomic heterogeneity of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase predisposes Cryptosporidium to clofazimine resistance #MicroSky

go.nature.comGenomic heterogeneity of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase predisposes Cryptosporidium to clofazimine resistanceNature Microbiology, Published online: 13 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02331-5Forward and reverse genetics identifies the mode of action of clofazimine in the parasite Cryptosporidium. The genomic locus encoding the target is heterogeneous, and a resistance-conferring allele is already widely distributed.
Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

So… what does it clofazimean? NDH2 heterogeneity may act as a metabolic rheostat, enhancing parasite adaptability. Host diet, metabolism, microbiome, and immune pressure likely reshape parasite redox balance and drive allele dynamics.

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

Knocking out ndh2 caused high-level clofazimine resistance, and recombinant CpNDH2 directly reduced clofazimine. In other words: NDH2 helps activate clofazimine, and losing NDH2 helps the parasite escape.

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

The most surprising part: this resistance-associated ΔAA ndh2 allele is already widespread in C. parvum and C. hominis populations. So Cryptosporidium may carry pre-existing genetic heterogeneity that lets it rapidly adjust under drug pressure.

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

We crossed a clofazimine-resistant strain with a susceptible one, selected recombinant progeny in mice, then treated with clofazimine. The treatment suppressed parasite growth, but the infection rebounded. The surviving progeny became more resistant.

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

Bulk segregant analysis pointed to one sharp locus on chromosome 7. At that locus we found ndh2, encoding type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenase. A small 2-bp deletion near the start of the gene became enriched under drug pressure.

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

3rd edition of the cheese bracket, and we have an winner: Cabriolait from Belgium! 🧀 On its way to 1st place, it defeated one Italian, two US, and one Swiss cheese. An impressive run!

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

Super excited about this!

LabEx ParaFrap@parafrap.bsky.social

🧑‍🔬 The program for the scientific session of the ParaFrap Next Generation in Parasitology Workshop is now available! 🎟️ A few places are still available to attend the session in Montpellier. Registration is free but mandatory. 👉 forms.gle/q1ZZJbqu87CD...

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

Did a little experiment with Hannah and her friend from school: they collected some cheek cells from saliva and looked at them under the microscope. Their excitement when the cells came into view was priceless. A nice reminder that even simple experiments can sparkcuriosity. 🔬

Sebastian Shaw reposted

LabEx ParaFrap
@parafrap.bsky.social

📆 Join us for the scientific session of the ParaFrap Next Generation in Parasitology Workshop (May 18-21, 2026, Montpellier) ! 🧑‍🔬 Junior PIs will present their work. Registration is free but mandatory (includes lunch & coffee breaks). Spots are limited, register now! 👉 forms.gle/bYsb47iZG7pR...

Sebastian Shaw reposted

tomate 🍅
@jascha.ohai.social.ap.brid.gy

When someone says „Scientists do not want you to know“ you can dismiss everything from there on. Scientists want you to know. They are desperate that you know. They can’t shut up about what they found out and want you to know.

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

🚨 Postdoc position 🚨 I’m moving back to Switzerland this summer to launch my lab at the University of Zurich and am recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow (start: late 2026). Details & application: jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie.... Please share! 😊

jobs.uzh.chUZH: PostdocThe newly founded Cryptosporidium lab at the Institute of Parasitology focuses on the genetic and transcriptomic basis of parasite virulence and persistence in Cryptosporidium and is committed to incl...
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Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

Looking for someone ambitious who wants to help shape a new lab, drive an independent project, and work in an international research environment in Zurich. Please share! #Postdoc #InfectionBiology

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

🚨 Postdoc position 🚨 I’m moving back to Switzerland this summer to launch my lab at the University of Zurich and am recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow (start: late 2026). Details & application: jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancie.... Please share! 😊

jobs.uzh.chUZH: PostdocThe newly founded Cryptosporidium lab at the Institute of Parasitology focuses on the genetic and transcriptomic basis of parasite virulence and persistence in Cryptosporidium and is committed to incl...
Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

We use genetic crosses, CRISPR-based tools, and quantitative genetics to understand how Cryptosporidium evolves virulence and persistence. Strong interest in parasite genetics & host–pathogen interactions encouraged.

Sebastian Shaw reposted

ParasitesRule
@parasitesrule.org

🦠 Grad students & postdocs in parasitology: Apply now for the Biology of Parasitism (BoP): Modern Approaches course at @MBLScience. Hands-on labs, expert lectures, and cutting-edge tools. 📅 Summer 2026 | ⏰ Deadline Feb 5 🔗 mbl.edu/courses

Sebastian Shaw reposted

Shubha Bevkal
@shubhabevkal.bsky.social

New paper out ! Want to learn more about fascinating proteasome biology and Artemisinin resistance in Malaria parasites ? Check out our preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

biorxiv.orgStage-specific regulation of the Plasmodium falciparum proteasome activity reveals adaptive rewiring in artemisinin resistanceThe ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is essential for Plasmodium falciparum to maintain protein homeostasis, adapt to proteotoxic stress, and regulate parasite growth and stage transitions. The prote...
Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

Exciting news!!
I’ve been awarded an #SNSFStartingGrant and will join the Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich as an Assistant Professor in summer 2026.
A dream come true! 🥺

View full thread
Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

And heartfelt thanks to Isabel Roditi, whose mentorship has guided me for years.
She also made it possible for me to attend the Biology of Parasitism course at Woods Hole, an experience that changed my academic career in an indescribable way.

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

Finally, huge thanks to the @snsf.ch for believing in this journey — from postdoc to PI. Can’t wait to build the lab, the science, and the next generation of parasite biologists.
#Parasitology #SNSF #AcademicLife #Cryptosporidium #Science #parasitesrule

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

Exciting news!!
I’ve been awarded an #SNSFStartingGrant and will join the Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich as an Assistant Professor in summer 2026.
A dream come true! 🥺

Sebastian Shaw reposted

Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
@snsf.ch

✨ Searching for extraterrestrial life or combating speech disorders: The SNSF is awarding #SNSFStartingGrants to 41 outstanding researchers. They will receive a maximum of CHF 1 million to lead a project with their own #research team at a Swiss university. 🚀 ℹ️ sohub.io/aq26

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

🚨 New paper out! 🚨 🧬 Parasite sex as a discovery tool — new insights into Cryptosporidium virulence! Huge thanks to my co-authors, collaborators & mentors 🙌 #Parasites #Cryptosporidium #Genetics #InfectiousDiseases #ForwardGenetics www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

sciencedirect.comGenetic crosses reveal genomic loci responsible for virulence in Cryptosporidium parvum infectionThe relationship between parasite genotype and pathogenesis is largely unknown for Cryptosporidium, a leading cause of diarrheal disease in children. …
Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

No ERC Starting Grant this time 😔 7 great reviews — and 1 that… didn’t quite agree. Time to go all in for the SNSF Starting Grant! 💪🏼 Interview in September 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Sebastian Shaw
@millseba.bsky.social

“Coachella of molecular parasitologists” 😜

ParasitesRule@parasitesrule.org

Registration and Abstract submission for MPMXXXVI are now open! Abstract submission deadline is June 27th, get yours in quickly. @rmc9z.bsky.social @mjgubbels.bsky.social @omarharb.org 🔗https://www.parasitesrule.com/mpm-xxxvi

Sebastian Shaw reposted

Kristian G. Andersen
@kgandersen.bsky.social

Here's the NIH's proposed budget - from $48 billion to $27 billion. NIAID, current ~$7 billion cut to ~$4.2 billion. The proposed 15% cap on indirect costs remains. Again, these budgets are passed, and our leadership in science, technology, and innovation is gone. www.hhs.gov/sites/defaul...

Kristian G. Andersen@kgandersen.bsky.social

The end of US leadership in science, technology, and innovation. All in one little table. A tremendous gift to China, courtesy of the GOP. nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/00-NSF...