Author: Jonathan Eisen

I am a Professor at U. C. Davis. My lab is in the UC Davis Genome Center and I hold appointments in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Medicine and the Department of Evolution and Ecology in the College of Biological Sciences. My research focuses on the origin of novelty (how new processes and functions originate). To study this I focus on sequencing and analyzing genomes of organisms, especially microbes and using phylogenomic analysis (see my lab site here which has more information on lab activities).  In addition to research, I am heavily involved in the Open Access publishing and Open Science movements.

Worth a look: City-scale distribution & dispersal routes of mycobiome in residences.

By Jonathan Eisen   Posted in .Featured Air and Air Quality Built Environment Topics Urban Microbiomes
Posted on

Quick post here — prepping for #MoBE17 meeting and found this new paper.  It seems like it is worth a look: City-scale distribution and dispersal routes of mycobiome in residences: Microbiome. 2017 Oct 4;5(1):131. doi: 10.1186/s40168-017-0346-7. Abstract BACKGROUND: Pathogenic and allergenic bacteria and fungi within the indoors can bring detrimental health effects on the occupants. We …

No – not all dogs are good for your microbiome … 

By Jonathan Eisen   Posted in .Featured Animals and the Built Environment
Posted on

Epidemiological and other studies have shown that, on average, having a dog is correlated to some possible health benefits (e.g., see this).  And some studies have further suggested that this might be connected to “the microbiome” in that having a dog might change the microbiome of one’s surroundings and that this in turn might contribute …

Bates College: Symposium on Fostering Diversity in Microbiology: Research, Pedagogy, and Climate in STEM

By Jonathan Eisen   Posted in .Featured Meetings and Talks
Posted on

Just got sent this and thought it might be of interest. Bates College: Call for Papers: Biology New Scholars Symposium on Fostering Diversity in Microbiology: Research, Pedagogy, and Climate in STEM Location: Lewiston, Maine Closes: Oct 20, 2017 Context: Founded in 1855, Bates is one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges, with a long …

KU: Asst Prof. in Microbial Environmental Metagenomics & Bioinformatics

By Jonathan Eisen   Posted in Job postings
Posted on

Source: University of Kansas – Job details “The University of Kansas seeks a tenure-track assistant professor in Microbial Environmental Metagenomics and Bioinformatics.  This position is a full-time, academic year appointment.  The faculty member will conduct research in microbial environmental genomics, metagenomics and bioinformatics leading to publication in appropriate media; procure external funding as appropriate; participate …

Talk by Rich Corsi: Living in a Material World: Why the Surfaces that Surround You Affect What You Breathe

By Jonathan Eisen   Posted in Air and Air Quality Buildings Meetings and Talks
Posted on

Rich Corsi was at UC Davis today giving a talk. The announcement for the talk with a summary is below: Living in a Material World: Why the Surfaces that Surround You Affect What You Breathe Richard L. Corsi, Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin Environmental & Water Resources Fall Seminar Series Tuesday, October 3, …

Aspen Center for Physics summer workshop on “Physical Principles Governing the Organization of Microbial Communities.”

By Jonathan Eisen   Posted in .Featured Meetings and Talks
Posted on

This could be interesting – a workshops this summer at the Aspen Center for Physics. June 3 – June 24 Physical Principles Governing the Organization of Microbial Communities. Organizers: Kerwyn Casey Huang, Stanford University Rachel Dutton, University of California San Diego Alvaro Sanchez, Yale University Jeff Gore*, MIT Nearly every environment on earth is populated …

Today in possibly interesting science but needless fear mongering ..

By Jonathan Eisen   Posted in .Featured Infectious Diseases Scholarly Literature (Journals, Books, Reports) Space
Posted on

So this sounds like there may be some interesting science going on here: Zero gravity had unexpected effects on E. coli samples, causing them to behave differently. That could present problems trying to treat them. Source: Space-Grown Bacteria Could Pose Major Problems for Astronauts But the article includes a bunch of needless fear mongering. What …