Videos of the talks and Q&As can now be found here!
We’re happy to confirm the next in our Development presents… webinar series will be chaired by our Editor Yrjö Helariutta (Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge / Institute of Biotecnology, University of Helsinki) and features three talks on various aspects of plant development.
Wednesday 2 December 2020 – 10:00 GMT
Marta Mendes (from Lucia Colombo’s lab at the University of Milan)
‘The RNA dependent DNA methylation pathway is required to restrict SPOROCYTELESS/NOZZLE expression to specify a single female germ cell precursor in Arabidopsis’
Krisztina Ötvös (from Eva Benková’s lab at IST Austria)
‘Modulation of root growth by nutrient-defined fine-tuning of polar auxin transport’
Kenji Nagata (from Mitsutomo Abe’s lab at the University of Tokyo)
‘Ceramides mediate positional signals in Arabidopsis thaliana protoderm differentiation’
The webinar will be held in Remo, our browser-based conferencing platform – after the talks you’ll have the chance to meet the speakers and other participants at virtual conference tables. If you can’t make it on the day, talks will be available to watch for a couple of weeks after the event (look out for details on the Node).
For more information about what to expect in Remo, go to
We seek a motivated and organized individual to join the Lyons Lab (https://www.lyonslab.org/) at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (https://scripps.ucsd.edu/) to serve as lab manger and research assistant. The individual will assist the lab in funded projects on molluscan neurodevelopment, developmental gene regulatory networks, and biomineralization. The successful candidate will be responsible for lab organization, inventories, safety protocols, and care of colonies of marine invertebrates. In addition, the individual will conduct lab research such as PCR/cloning, in situ hybridization, microinjection/electroporation, collection of embryonic samples for RNAseq/ATAC-seq/scRNAseq, and microscopy. Previous experience with the above techniques, particularly research with embryos of marine invertebrates, is preferred but not required. The successful candidate will have exceptional organizational and record-keeping skills and will serve as a collaborator with other lab members. The Lyons Lab is dedicated to building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive lab culture. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a department at U.C. San Diego, provides an exceptional learning and research environment within the large San Diego Metropolitan Area. The application closes December 9th, and the position will be filled as soon as possible.
Our laboratory at the Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland is looking for a postdoc to work in the field of gene regulation during mammalian development, by using in vitro cultured, ES cells-derived gastruloids (pseudo-embryos) as a model system. Key-words: Transcriptional regulation, enhancers, CRISPR/cas9, mutant gastruloids, epigenetic profiling, 3D chromatin structure, single-cell RNA-seq phenotyping, DORA, open science, Hox genes (but not only). We look for an independent and respectful colleague, with a strong interest and curiosity for basic research and life in general. Fully funded position.
Disease Models & Mechanisms, published by The Company of Biologists, is seeking enthusiastic and motivated applicants for the role of Features & Reviews Editor. Joining an experienced and successful team, including Editor-in-Chief Liz Patton, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant contribution to a growing Open Access journal in the fast-moving field of translational research.
This is a permanent, full-time position, and is based in The Company of Biologists’ attractive modern offices on the outskirts of Cambridge, UK. Owing to the pandemic, an initial period of remote working may be necessary. Please see the full job description for further details.
To apply, or for more information, contact recruitment@biologists.com. Applications should be made as soon as possible and by 21 December 2020. Applicants should be eligible to work in the UK.
There is a 4-year PhD position available at the Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology (www.sars.no/) in the lab of Dr. Patrick Steinmetz.
The successful applicant will study how starvation-induced degrowth is controlled in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. The project may also involve studying key aspects of degrowth in the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida in a comparative context. State-of-the-art functional techniques (CRISPR mutants & knock-in lines, transgenesis), and a diverse range of approaches from developmental biology, genetics, physiology and genomics are available for functional and genomic studies in Nematostella.
Further details and how to apply: https://tinyurl.com/y3h5tv8r
IMBA is opening a search for a group leader. It is an absolutely great place to do 100% basic research. Full freedom, no questions asked. You can find all info here. The deadline is the 10th of January.
Dawei Sun has just finished his PhD in Dr Emma Rawlins’ lab at The Gurdon Institute here in Cambridge, UK. He has remained in the city with his wife for the duration of the pandemic. In the middle of the UK’s second lockdown we met him, virtually, to find out how he is doing, hear about the triumphs and tribulations of his PhD, and discuss his experience of studying in the UK. (more…)
Nuclear-encoded mitochondrial ribosomal proteins (MRPs) are crucial for mitochondrial function and hence cellular energy production. A new paper in Development investigates the function of MRPs in early mouse development, thanks to a battery of knockout mutants. We caught up with first author (and recent graduate) Agnes Cheong and her supervisor Jesse Mager, Associate Professor at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, to find out more.
Agnes and Jesse at Agnes’ PhD defence – note the mouse cake
Jesse, can you give us your scientific biography and the questions your lab is trying to answer?
JM I did my PhD work with Terry Magnuson at UNC (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), studying the Polycomb Group Gene EED and connecting PRC2 with genomic imprinting, X-inactivation and gastrulation defects. I then did postdoctoral work with Rudolf Jaenisch and Marisa Bartolomei, again investigating epigenetic regulation during early development, which I have continued in my own group since 2008 at UMass. We continue to identify novel parent of origin events during gastrulation, as well as characterizing a large number of early lethal phenotypes arising from the Knockout Mouse Project that advance our understanding of the diverse array of genes required for implantation and gastrulation.
Agnes, how did you come to work in Jesse’s lab and what drives your research today?
AC My first research experience involved the study of mammalian implantation and I was really fascinated by the remarkable transformations the embryos undergo during early development. I wanted to continue exploring my interest in embryogenesis, which was the reason why I decided to stay at Jesse’s lab after my rotation. We know so much more than we did decades ago, yet when we take a magnifying glass to zoom into different developmental processes, many blank spaces remain. The desire to comprehend this convoluted process is my motivation to pursue research in development.
When we take a magnifying glass to zoom into different developmental processes, many blank spaces remain
How are each of you coping in the current COVID-19 pandemic?
AC A workday at home is certainly very different from that at the lab. Since I started working from home, I lost the privilege of casually reaching my 10,000 steps daily. Besides my baking hobby, I am otherwise eager to be able to get back to the lab and do some bench work. Fortunately, the Mager lab still has regular virtual lab meetings so that we can present our research ideas and catch up with our lab family, even though we are not able to be physically present together.
JM Since the shutdown mid-March, the lab is now basically just me and the mice…so a bit lonely. But we’ve had lots of Zoom meetings and are trying to keep the lab members busy writing and reading. It definitely took a few weeks to find productive work patterns (and bonus regular lunches with my kids!). Daily evening strolls with my family have been a silver lining – we are fortunate to be able to get outside quite a bit.
Let’s get to your current paper then, which uses mutants produced by the Knockout Mouse Project. What were the aims of that project and your lab’s involvement with it?
AC & JM IMPC/KOMP is a global initiative, and its main goal is to generate a comprehensive and public resource comprising mouse embryonic stem cells and mice containing a null mutation in every gene within the mouse genome. Although the bulk of the effort has focused on adult phenotypes, ∼25% of nulls are lethal and 12% die prior to E9.5. Our involvement with KOMP is to characterize a large number of these early lethal phenotypes since there is no planned pipeline to analyse early embryos. Thus far, we have phenotyped more than 110 gene knockouts, and will grow to ∼250 over the next few years. Check out all our results at http://blogs.umass.edu/jmager/.
Can you give us the key results of the paper in a paragraph?
AC & JM Our paper demonstrates the importance of a functional oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system during early development. Although there are over 70 mitochondrial ribosomal protein (Mrp) genes in mammals, the absence of a single Mrp gene results in pre-gastrulation developmental arrest. Despite the presence of pluripotent epiblast cells in the Mrp mutants, these embryos fail to initiate EMT and progress through gastrulation. This disruption is the result of a malfunctioning mitochondrial translation system which contributes to a lack of ATP production, and hence results in cell cycle disruption and stalling at the G2/M checkpoint. Our results are aligned with other developmental studies of mitochondrial functioning genes showing that the OXPHOS is indispensable during early embryogenesis.
TEM images revealing the different mitochondrial morphologies between mutants and control embryos.
Before developmental arrest, early embryonic development runs normally in Mrp mutants – does this mean the MRPs are doing nothing before then?
AC & JM Not necessarily: since the majority of Mrp genes are also present in the oocyte, maternal Mrp protein could be supporting development through implantation and/or an alternative energy system, such as glycolysis, may be a major factor driving developmental progression prior to gastrulation. A more-detailed study of protein turnover and maternal deletion experiments will provide insights on the precise time point at which Mrp proteins are essential during embryogenesis.
When doing the research, did you have any particular result or eureka moment that has stuck with you?
AC My memorable eureka moment was when I analysed phospho-cdc25c foci and found a significant increase in the mutants, confirming my suspicion that the malfunctioning OXPHOS system leads to cell cycle disruption.
And what about the flipside: any moments of frustration or despair?
The endless sea of genotyping when working with 20+ different knockout lines and needing to genotype every mouse and embryo.
So what next for you after this paper?
AC I recently completed my PhD defence. My plan is to diversify my scientific experience and continue my research career in a biotech or industrial setting.
Where will this work take the Mager lab?
JM Our findings that so many nuclear-encoded mitochondrial functioning genes have such similar phenotypes (gastrulation arrest) are prompting the design of experiments to try to assess the metabolic needs of distinct pre-gastrulation lineages and cell populations. This is a new and exciting area or inquiry for our group. We will also pursue conditional knockout approaches to examine the maternal protein contribution.
Finally, let’s move outside the lab – what do you like to do in your spare time in Amherst?
AC Amherst is a small college town surrounded by many local breweries. When the weather is nice and warm, I enjoy walking to town and reward myself with a hoppy and cold beer. On cold rainy days, I like warming up my apartment with baked goods and sharing them with my friends.
JM I’ll be honest – I’m an exercise enthusiast (to put it mildly)…so if I’m not at work or with my family I’ll generally be found getting those endorphins.
An NSF-supported postdoctoral position is available in the Yakoby Lab https://yakoby.rutgers.edu/ for a highly-motivated and productive individual with an interest in studying the evolution of tissue patterning and morphogenesis in Drosophila oogenesis. The project includes the prediction and validation of cis-Regulatory Modules (CRMs) in the follicular epithelium of several Drosophila species. Applicants with a Ph.D. and a strong background in molecular biology, including the use of CRISPR/Cas9, genetics, and bioinformatics are encouraged to apply. Interested individuals should send a CV, a short statement of research interests, and three names of references to <yakoby@camden.rutgers.edu>. The Yakoby Lab https://yakoby.camden.rutgers.edu/ is in the Biology Department https://biology.camden.rutgers.edu/ and the Center for Computational and Integrative Biology https://ccib.camden.rutgers.edu/ at Rutgers University Camden campus located in the Greater Philadelphia Area.
We are seeking candidates to apply for two upcoming calls for Postdoctoral Researchers from the Spanish Government (Juan de la Cierva).
Candidates should have an interest in Developmental Neurobiology, with expertise ranging from embryology, to stem cell biology, bioinformatics and/or quantitative biology to investigate development of the vertebrate Central Nervous System (CNS) in health and disease. Candidates must have a competitive publication records, since both are competitive open calls.
Candidate will join the Elisa Martí Laboratory (IBMB-CSIC, Barcelona). Please contact Elisa directly emgbmc@ibmb.csic.es the sooner the better (calls are about to open)
Relevant recent publications from the lab
Murielle Saade and cols Cell Stem Cell 2020 Oct 27; doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.10.002.
Gwenvael Le Dréau, and cols Elife 2018 Aug 10;7. pii: e37267. doi: 10.7554/eLife.37267
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There is a 4-year PhD position available at the Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology (
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