Brett Baker
Professor of microbial ecology and evolution at Univ of Texas Austin.
- Reposted by Brett BakerFinally, we reconstructed the labyrinthic evolutionary history of HORBEC, from two ancient modules to the wide diversity that we observe in contemporary organisms.
- Reposted by Brett BakerHORBEC are found in most prokaryotes, and are particularly diverse in Archaea. Phylogenetic analyses indicate a complex evolutionary history. However, we show that respiratory complex I (Nuo/Fpo) was likely present in the LUCA, challenging current hypotheses on the ancestral energetic metabolism.
- Reposted by Brett BakerWe then show that HORBEC exhibit an impressive modularity, achieved by tinkering protein domains, swapping components or even whole parts of complexes. This modularity led to a variety of coupled reactions and cellular localizations.
- Reposted by Brett BakerWe analyzed the distribution of 31 HORBEC in over 4,000 bacterial and archaeal genomes. We propose a homogeneous nomenclature of HORBEC and their components and developed a tool, HORBEC-Finder, for automatic annotation from genomes(try it here! doi.org/10.6084/m9.f...).
- Reposted by Brett BakerHORBEC are involved in most energy-converting pathways, from respiration to methanogenesis. Despite their central role in bioenergetic metabolism, a comprehensive evolutionary analysis of these systems has been lacking.
- Reposted by Brett BakerA myriad of oxidoreductase complexes, including hydrogenases and respiratory complex I form a wide evolutionary network by sharing homologue components. We call them HORBEC for Homologous Oxidoreductases involved in Redox balance and Energy conservation.
- Reposted by Brett BakerPassioned by #bioenergetics? Do not miss our new article on the evolutionary history of oxidoreductases with G. Borrel and @sgribaldo.bsky.social @archaeal.bsky.social @valdeanda.bsky.social @pasteur.fr @cnrs.fr @cnrsbiologie.bsky.social @natecoevo.nature.com (www.nature.com/articles/s41...).
- Reposted by Brett BakerI just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening. The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.
- Reposted by Brett BakerIt was a straight up execution.
- Reposted by Brett BakerNEW: ICE officers in Minn executed a man they were holding on ground. I'm not exaggerating. This is real footage published in Minnesotta Star Tribune. Officers surround man. They are beating them. Then you hear shot as one ICE officer executes the man. Every officer involved MUST be charged!
- Reposted by Brett Bakerthese are the 7 house democrats who voted to give ICE another $10 billion on thursday btw
- Yay for the archaeal community! www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- We have been trying to get genomic data release on NCBI since August, 3 papers are now on hold until we get a response. Literally haven't gotten a response since August. There's needs to be an alternative. This system seems broken.
- @markowenmartin.bsky.social congrats on your retirement!
- Reposted by Brett BakerAre you a long-time fan of Archaea, an extremophile-phile, or are you simply curious? Either way, we have good news. We’re delighted to announce the 2026 EMBO Workshop on Archaea, 6–10 July. Sign up: meetings.embo.org/event/26-arc... We look forward to seeing you in Cambridge, UK. Please repost!
- Reposted by Brett BakerSo happy this is finally out! We reconstructed the 1st large-scale spatiotemporal dataset of 600+ MAGs from San Francisco Bay and show they have functional redundancy in key N and S pathways. These functions may better recover from disturbance in this highly urban estuary 💧
- Reposted by Brett BakerOur latest expedition update video is live on YouTube. Learn how the #AsgardArchaea science team is looking for our microbial ancestors to understand the biological events that led to the broad diversity of complex cellular life. youtu.be/Jy_boPdY0zo?...
- Reposted by Brett BakerSpectacular strawberry squid! Histioteuthis squid w/massively asymmetrical eyes: 1 larger for viewing the silhouettes of predators & prey above, & 1 smaller eye for capturing glimmers of bioluminescent snacks below. #AsgardArchea - 730m - ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute
- Reposted by Brett BakerThat’s a wrap for #AsgardArchaea expedition, w/ @archaeal.bsky.social fr @texasscience.bsky.social! In the coming months and years, this research will likely open the door to new medical breakthroughs and unlock answers to questions about the origins of complex life. youtu.be/mgmEh_qag5E?...
- Reposted by Brett BakerThe #AsgardArchaea team observed breathtaking wildlife in Uruguayan waters via the cameras on the Schmidt Ocean Institute's deep-sea robot — ROV SuBastian. youtu.be/uM0wKYb1kus
- Packing and shipping out. #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Reposted by Brett BakerEukaryogenesis was a billion year spree, but the acquisition of mitochondria happened when the party was winding down www.nature.com/articles/s41...
- Reposted by Brett BakerPilar raises her Asgard bridge from the sea!
- Reposted by Brett BakerAnd ‘Searching for the Asgards’ the movie: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgmE...
- Wrap up video from the Symbiotic Partners of Asgards Research Cruise (SPARC). youtu.be/mgmEh_qag5E?... #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- That's a wrap, what an amazing expedition! #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Reposted by Brett BakerWant to know why UT’s Brett Baker and other scientists are seeking our microbial ancestors in the depths of the ocean? This video from Schmidt Ocean Institute does a fantastic job of explaining! #AsgardArchaea @archaeal.bsky.social @schmidtocean.bsky.social @utaustin.bsky.social
- Our latest expedition update video is live on YouTube. Learn how the #AsgardArchaea science team is looking for our microbial ancestors to understand the biological events that led to the broad diversity of complex cellular life. youtu.be/Jy_boPdY0zo?...
- Reposted by Brett BakerFantastic video of the expedition being led by UT Austin’s @archaeal.bsky.social
- Our latest expedition update video is live on YouTube. Learn how the #AsgardArchaea science team is looking for our microbial ancestors to understand the biological events that led to the broad diversity of complex cellular life. youtu.be/Jy_boPdY0zo?...
- A bunch of activity in the Falkor (too) hangar today. Diving now....https://www.youtube.com/@SchmidtOcean #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Megapod of dolphins
- Reposted by Brett BakerAnd presenting the enigmatic vampire squid. First glimpse.
- Reposted by Brett Baker
- Busy turkey day in the deep sea… #Asgardarchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Reposted by Brett Baker@schmidtocean.bsky.social dive 871 is live! #asgardarchaea #MarineLife www.youtube.com/live/bsrUeuZ...
- Reposted by Brett BakerSea star, ophiuroid, stalked barnacles, sponge. @schmidtocean.bsky.social dive 871 #asgardarchaea #MarineLife
- Diving deep today, 2,700m. Live stream here youtube.com/@schmidtocea... #Asgardarchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- In the water diving to 900m. www.youtube.com/@SchmidtOcean #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Getting ready to dive into this canyon. You can watch the stream from the ROV here www.youtube.com/@SchmidtOcean #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Reposted by Brett BakerAn archaeal genetic code with all TAG codons as pyrrolysine www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1... #jcampubs
- Reposted by Brett BakerThis fluttery finned fish, possibly from the family Oreosomatidae, was spotted during #AsgardArchaea at around 1000 m. Read more about this expedition led by @archaeal.bsky.social from @texasscience.bsky.social here: schmidtocean.org/cruise/searching-fo…
- Reposted by Brett BakerHere's the R/V Falkor (too) and the bay inside with the amazing robot sub (SuBastian), suspended from a giant A frame for deploying it through an even larger door. The two workbenches in front give you a sense of scale. You can also just make out @archaeal.bsky.social in front of the Falkor
- ROV in the water, diving to 2600m
- Reposted by Brett BakerWaiting for the wind to subside, while the ship maps a channel on the sea floor for the next dive, Galen visits the bridge and settles right in.
- Today's dive site, to ~2,200m. We will be streaming 9am-3pm Central. At www.youtube.com/@SchmidtOcean #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Reposted by Brett Baker#AsgardArchaea team, led by @archaeal.bsky.social fr @texasscience.bsky.social — sequencing the DNA collected fr mouth of Rio de la Plata to the continental shelf of Uruguay to detect Asgards, a group of single-celled organisms & our closest microbial relatives on the tree of life. bit.ly/3MdniTH
- We are streaming from 900m
- Reposted by Brett BakerWe have slots of nice looking cores at this site. This is what a sediment core looks like on Subastian
- Reposted by Brett BakerStormy waters have cleared. Winds and light. Currents moderate. Live streaming from 850m. Collecting push cores.
- Reposted by Brett BakerAnd…
- Reposted by Brett BakerOther researchers in action on Falkor (too)
- ROV SUBastian bringing back samples. #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Map of seafloor where we are diving to sample sediments today. #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Life on the Falkor (too) is lovely. #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- We just planned this canyon and now we are diving to explore and collect samples. Watch live here - www.youtube.com/@SchmidtOcea... #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Today’s dive we start around 2pm central, and will be exploring where I think there’s a canyon that has not been sampled. I expect it to be very exciting! www.youtube.com/@SchmidtOcean #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Reposted by Brett BakerJoin us for “How Deep is Your Love” on Nov. 20—with a special live stream from UT marine scientist Brett Baker & team on the R/V Falkor (too) as they search the deep seas for #AsgardArchaea! @archaeal.bsky.social @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social cns.utexas.edu/events/publi...
- Starting at 7pm Central I will be streaming from the bottom of the ocean off the coast of Uruguay! Feel free to join and ask questions. www.youtube.com/@SchmidtOcean
- Reposted by Brett BakerStoked to be back aboard R/V Falkor(too), this time as part of a team led by @archaeal.bsky.social to search for Asgard archaea, our closest microbial ancestors! Follow @schmidtocean.bsky.social for updates on when to tune in to our dive livestreams - lotta push cores ❤️❤️❤️ #asgardarchaea
- Sampling is underway! #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Reposted by Brett BakerMy department at UT Austin is looking to hire an Assistant Professor in Evolutionary Biology, broadly defined. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have. apply.interfolio.com/177547
- We are sailing! #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social @texasscience.bsky.social @utmsi.bsky.social
- Apply to work in my Dept! apply.interfolio.com/177547
- Taking my little boat out tomorrow
- The science team have boarded the Falkor (too)! #AsgardArchaea @schmidtocean.bsky.social @moorefound.bsky.social
- A wonderful collaboration between my lab and Andy Ellington and Edward Marcotte here at UT. We obtained lots of thermal stable plastic degrading enzymes from the deep sea (Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California)
