Lab meeting with the Davies Lab

Where is the lab?

In Edinburgh, Scotland, UK: the lab itself is about 5 minutes’ walk from Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile.

https://discovery-brain-sciences.ed.ac.uk/our-staff/research-groups/jamie-davies

Research summary

Jamie: A bit of a mad mixture. The lab has always worked on organogenesis and self-organization in development, at the bench and at the computer. For around 20 years, we have combined natural development with tissue engineering, with a special interest in 3Rs applications as well as eventual clinical use. We were among the founders of the now burgeoning field of synthetic morphogenesis (our first publication, 2008). Many in the lab want to use it to make useful living materials; the PI has an interest in using synthetic biology ‘re-creating’ developmental mechanisms that we think we understand, in a very simple form, to check that we really do understand them (a bit like testing understanding of aerodynamics by making a paper ‘plane’). We began this by making synthetic patterning systems, and then added creation of shape. The next step is engineering agency and purpose. In addition to this, and almost by accident, we have a strong interest in pharmacoinformatics and run the global drug database for IUPHAR, the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, and the antibiotic database for the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership. Sadly, the IUPHAR meetings, which I have to attend, almost always clash with the BSDB spring conference.

Roll call (in order of length of time in the lab):

The lab gremlin, in the lab from time immemorial; spends its time corroding electrical connections, moving critical antibodies to the wrong fridge, and emptying CO₂ cylinders overnight. Like magnetism, it is invisible but we know it to be present by its observable effects.

Jamie Davies, Professor and anyone’s-technician-in-a-crisis (the jobs go together); now grey-haired enough to have made most of the mistakes people make in research, so is able to help young scientists avoid them and instead discover new and exciting mistakes of their own.

Jane Armstrong, Senior Curator, who joined as a wet-lab post-doc over 25 years ago and later discovered the joy of informatics.

Simon Harding, Senior Developer, a molecular biology post-doc turned software wrangler, with the group for over a decade now.

Elena Faccenda, Curator, a pharmacology post-doc turned informatician, also in the group for more than a decade. As well as managing the database, Elena, Simon and Jane write high-profile papers together, and have each acquired h-indices higher than many full professors.

Rhiannon Beadman, a post-doc working on homeorhesis and error-correction in organ development, uses a mix of classic 1920s-style cut-and-paste embryology and up-to-date molecular techniques.

Hüseyin Gül, a PhD student of this lab turned post-doc; works on a new drug target he identified for polycystic kidney disease.

Natalia Penar, a PhD student; combines optogenetics and morphogenetic control to test hypotheses about symmetry-breaking in branching morphogenesis.

Sneha Ravi, a PhD student; uses our new patented biofabrication technique to engineer ureters and similar tubular tissues.

Louise Goossens, a PhD student who will use Sneha’s ureters to model bacteria-tissue interactions, and how they affect antibiotic resistance, in urinary tract infections.

Nick Younger, a post-doc just joining us to work on optogenetics and axioloids.

Wentong Fu, an MSc project student working on dynamics of pattern coarsening following wounding of a synthetic patterning system.

Favourite technique

Jamie: Reading developmental literature from a century or more ago; researchers then did not have our fancy tools, but they had observation, insight and imagination and their work is an unfailing source of inspiration.

Outside your own work, what are you most excited about in developmental or stem cell biology?

Jamie: Evo-devo generally. I have never worked in this area, but seeing links develop between understanding of developmental opportunities and constraints, and the areas of morphospace visited and avoided over phylogenetic evolution, is amazing and is a ‘new’ new synthesis.

How do you manage your group and your various tasks?

Jamie: I ‘manage’ with as light a touch as possible. If you give bright young people the right encouragement, they will ask interesting questions and do interesting things, many of which I would never have imagined. In recruitment, I value diversity, not just in terms of ethnicity, gender and religion, but also in terms of academic culture; my lab has included people with first degrees in philosophy, anthropology, mathematics, and engineering as well as in biological subjects, and has benefited from the different ways of thinking they bring. As for managing my own tasks, the golden rule is not to procrastinate, and to reserve time just to think; I mean actually reserve it in a calendar, with the same non-negotiability as one marks out a timetabled lecture or conference. Thinking is part of a scientist’s job, and it is entirely reasonable to demand time in which it can be done.

What’s the best thing about where you work?

Answers given by members of the lab in general include:
“I like how everyone in the building helps each other….  I love my daily commute to work through the Meadows.”
“It’s a space where complex problems turn into exciting challenges that motivate me to learn, experiment and grow. It’s a mix of curiosity, teamwork, and the occasional lab triumph—it’s never dull!”
“The people! As a biocurator and office-based scientist, it is great to still be part of an academic research laboratory, especially one that is so supportive. Being based on a campus right in the heart of Edinburgh is pretty special as well.”
“The lab is friendly and supportive — and seems to benefit from lots of different experiences.”
“I enjoy the intellectual stimulation that researching for the Guide to Pharmacology brings. A huge bonus is working with competent and friendly colleagues who help you through the days when things aren’t quite going to plan.”
“The best part about working here is the friendly and supportive lab environment, where you can always count on others and never feel like you are asking too much.”
“The best thing is friendly atmosphere and cooperation in our lab. It makes dealing with setbacks easier, celebrating successes even more pleasant, and keeps us motivated.”
“The people—everyone is approachable, motivated, and genuinely passionate about their work”.

What’s there to do outside the lab?

Answers given by members of the lab in general include:
“Dancing! Edinburgh has a vibrant community for various dancing styles (my pick is Latin dances). It’s amazing for meeting new friends and staying healthy.”
“I like to go for walks in the Pentland Hills followed by a well-deserved beer in one of the many pubs.”
“The Meadows is a great spot to unwind and soak in some greenery or a hike up Arthur’s seat offers stunning views of the city. Plus, the area is filled with great eateries, making it easy to grab a bite between experiments”
“The Scottish Highlands and Islands are all within a half-day of travel. Fantastic if you enjoy epic scenery and being outdoors.”
“Being based in the centre of Edinburgh is great – there’s usually lots going on, especially during the festival. Lots of nice green spaces close by is another positive.”
“There is no shortage of historical, cultural, sporting, entertainment and foody places and events to explore in the heart of Scotland’s capital city. What makes it really special is that beaches, hills and the great outdoors are within very easy reach, whether you’re a thrill seeker or just want to chill.”
“I love exploring Scotland, with its endless hikes and breathtaking scenery, though it is most enjoyable on the rare occasion when the weather is not cold and wet!”
“The best place to go if you find yourself outside the lab is back inside the lab again!”
 

Lab Blog
Waiting for the cells to grow.

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