In keeping with a time-honoured tradition, we recently flooded Twitter with 12 beautiful developmental biology GIFs. They came from papers published this year and feature all kinds of systems and visual styles – here they are for posterity! Let us know your favourite in the comments
Whole-embryo developmental imaging of zebrafish spinal cord neurogenesis
Genetics Unzipped is delighted to host a short series of podcasts recorded at the 2019 Galton Institute symposium – New Light on Old Britons – which took place at the Royal Society in London at the end of October. Reporter Georgia Mills talks to some of the leading researchers uncovering the hidden stories of the people of the British Isles.
Who were these ancient Britons? Where did they come from and what were they like? What’s the real story behind the romantic myths about the Celts? And what can modern genetic and archaeological techniques tell us about their lives and loves?
Professor Ian Barnes and Dr Selina Brace, ancient DNA researchers at the Natural History Museum in London, discuss how their work on ancient DNA is shedding light on the British population from the Mesolithic to the Bronze Age.
Professor Sir Walter Bodmer FRS from the Weatherall Institute, Oxford, explains what we know so far about genetic structure and origins of populations of the British Isles.
The Celts are one of the most famous – and misunderstood – people who lived in ancient Britain. Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe CBE, FBA from the University of Oxford explores the myths and the reality.
The Latin American Society for Developmental Biology was founded almost two decades ago and has become a vital hub for researchers across the region. Its biennial meetings bring the community together and also attract leading researchers based elsewhere. At the end of October this year the meeting was held in Buenos Aires, the grand old capital of Argentina which sits on the widest river in the world and is the second most populous city on the continent (if, for the sake of a statistic, you count its greater metropolitan area). I got to go on behalf of the Node, Development and The Company of Biologists – these kinds of conferences are a great opportunity for us to keep in touch with our communities across the world, to listen and to let people know how we can help them. It was of course a great privilege to go, especially since it was my first time in South America.
We were welcomed to the conference by Pablo Wappner, one of the local organisers and LASDB President (Juan Riesgo-Escovar would take up the reins from Pablo once the meeting finished). He emphasised how the meeting represented excellent science on a low budget, and thanked the many invited speakers who had covered part or all of their travel expenses to get to Buenos Aires. Funding came up a lot in conversations throughout the conference – I had expected as much given recent (and not so recent) news stories, and also this Development interview I did with Brazilian researchers Maurício Rocha-Martins and Mariana Silveira. I don’t really want to dwell on it too much here but it’s worth recognising how many hurdles scientists face in the region, and how much great science gets done in spite of these hurdles.
Here I’ll just share some of my talk highlights, depending on how legible my notes were and not at all exhaustively. Nobel Laureate Eric Wieschaus (Princeton University, US) kicked things off. Forty years of work on the four maternal systems that pattern the early fly embryo were now culminating with the aid of some extremely clever (and eye-watering) genetics. He was now in the position to subtract and add each system in turn to assess their interdependence. I noted down something he said in response to an audience question about whether Bicoid behaved like other morphogens – “All life is specific, specific solutions to specific problems”. The point beingI think that we need not be too preoccupied with how general a given mechanism is.
Eric Wieschaus opening the conference (photo courtesy of LASDB Facebook page)
Eugenia del Pino (Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito) was awarded the LASDB Prize, which recognises an ‘outstanding researcher who has made a major contribution to developmental biology, and has shown an active involvement in Latin American science.’ Before her talk we watched video messages from her previous students, now based all over the world, who thanked her for her support and guidance – it seems she really is at the heart of Ecuadorian developmental biology. She told us that when she started her lab in Quito, she was quite isolated, but she used this isolation as an advantage, in that she had minimal distractions. She gave a career perspective on the different ways frogs make eggs and undergo gastrulation, in particular focusing on marsupial frogs, which carry their eggs on their back. This research started when she found one such species (Gastrotheca riobambae) in the garden of her university, and developed it into a developmental model. Her talk was a testament to how biodiversity can be harnessed to understand basic problems in development and evolution.
Miguel Concha (Universidad de Chile, Santiago) presented his lab’s work on collective migration in the zebrafish embryo. Combining imaging, biomechemics and modelling, he described how mechanical interactions between epithelial cells (the enveloping layer) and mesenchymal cells (progenitors of the laterality organ) drives tissue morphogenesis. He was also spoke a little about the political situation in Chile, and the societal inequalities that had been driving their current protests. I’d see saw students watching live feeds of the protests on their phones (between talks of course!). Pablo Strobl-Mazzulla (InTeCh, Chascomús, Argentina) discussed the role of folate in development. Several congenital defects in humans are associated with folate deficiencies, notably failure of neural tube closure, and Strobl-Mazulla wanted to know why some tissues seem particularly sensitive to folate deficiency. After knocking down the two ways folate can get into the cell (a receptor and a channel), his lab observed reduced methylation of genes required for neural crest fate.
Igor Schneider (Federal University of Pará, Brazil) posed the question of whether the famous regeneration capability of salamanders really does stand out so much among vertebrates. His lab found that lungfishes (which are a sister group to tetrapods) can regenerate their fins pretty well and in a manner similar to salamanders, morphologically and molecularly. He further showed data on regeneration in paddle fish, birchir and gar, and argued that broader phylogenetic sampling will help uncover the shared and core mechanisms of regeneration. We heard a plea from Guillermo Oliver (Northwestern University, US) for developmental biology to stop overlooking the lymph vasculature, which has been increasingly implicated in various aspects of human health and is particularly interesting in terms of the plasticity of cell fates. He described his lab’s work on obesity – mice heterozygous for Prox (which controls lymphatic fate) get fat, and this has to do with leaky lymphatics in the small intestine. Many other fascinating discoveries await in this tissue hiding in plain sight.
How can a single signalling pathway can instruct diverse cell fates at different points during development? Trudi Schupbach (Princeton University, US) addressed this question using ERK signalling in Drosophila egg patterning as an example. ERK’s effects differed depending on combinatorial signalling with other pathways, the levels and duration of the signal, and feedback mechanisms. Irene Miguel Aliaga (Imperial College, London) emphasised the concept of ‘continued development’ in adult organs which can be resized and remodelled depending on environmental cues or physiological requirements. She described her lab’s work on cross-organ sexually dimorphic communication – testes talking to guts to change metabolism to suit the testes (if i have that right!).
Poster session in full swing (photo courtesy of LASDB Facebook page)
At the meeting, I got to interview Roberto Mayor for Development (and also Trudi Schupbach – look out for the interviews in January), and he told me that one of the things that made the region special in terms of science were the students, who were always amongst the best in the world. And in the poster session I could see what he meant – there were so many great posters from PhD students, Master’s students and even undergraduates. We also heard a very impressive talk from Sandra Edwards, a PhD student from Santiago in Chile, who explored the role of calcium in the cytoskeleton of Drosophila immune cells with the aid of some gorgeous movies.
Another notable session in the conference was The Gordon Research Conference Power Hour. This was chaired by Marianne Bronner of Caltech and Nancy Gray, President and Chief Executive Officer of the GRC. Gray told us that the GRC are looking to increase Latin American representation at their conferences, and introduced their Power Hours, time set aside at GRCs dedicated to ‘discuss[ing] challenges women face in science and issues of diversity and inclusion’. And we had a Power Hour of our own – the audience was split into groups and asked to discuss a question or two. My group were asked What skills do you need to become a successful scientist?, and we had a lively debate on the relative importance of communication, luck and strategy (thanks to my group for putting up with the one person who spoke no Spanish). Other groups tackled sexism, microagression, working patterns and bullying, and at the end a speaker from each group shared the discussions. Nancy Gray then gave her card to all the speakers – this would give them free registration to a GRC of their choice! It was amazingly generous, potentially life-changing act.
A rather gloomy photo of the final dinner/drinks, note disco ball
The conference dinner on the final night was held in a brew pub – for something like three US dollars we got a night of unlimited beer and pizza (I struggled throughout to work out how much things cost with the exchange rate, though as a local told me: ‘whatever it is, it’s much much cheaper than England!’). It was a fun informal occasion that suited the tone of the whole meeting. I also had half a day either side of the conference to explore Buenos Aires, an amazingly energetic place, with endlessly interesting architecture, crazy buses, crazier taxis, quality food and art, and even some wildlife (in the Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur not far from the centre – bird fans take note). The next LASDB meeting will be in Chile in 2021.
Buenos Aires skylines.
Congratulations to all the poster prize winners!
1st Prize: Nicolas Cumplido, FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Santiago, Chile.
2nd Prize: Nicolas Vazquez. LBD-INTECH, Chascomús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
3rd Prize: Pablo Guzmán Palma. Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
4th prize: Sofia Polcowñuk . Laboratorio de genética del comportamiento, Fundación Instituto Leloir (FIL-IIBBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (CABD), Seville.
Juan R. Martinez-Morales Lab (jrmarmor@upo.es) is recruiting competitive
postdoctoral researchers to participate in an interdisciplinary project on comparative
tissue morphogenesis
Research project/ Research Group description:
The main focus of our laboratory is to study cellular and molecular mechanisms
involved in the morphogenesis of the vertebrate eye. Using the teleost models
zebrafish and medaka, we investigate the machinery driving the folding of the retinal
neuroepithelium.. Although it is generally accepted that optic cup formation follows a
tissue-intrinsic program in vertebrates, several mechanisms have been postulated
(basal constriction, rim involution) and some important differences in cell behaviour
have been reported among species. Many important questions still remain open. Which
is the relative contribution of each mechanism to the folding of the optic cup? Do they
act in a cooperative manner? Do they have the same regulatory weight in different
species? To answer these questions, we aim to integrate genetic information, imaging
analysis of cell shape changes, and tensional forces distribution into coherent
computational models able to predict the key morphogenetic rules that shape the entire
organ. We plan to extend our observations to mammalian tissue, by examining cell
shape changes and tensions in 3D retinal organoids developed in vitro. A key aspect of
the project is to understand how classical signalling events, which have proved to be
essential for the proper patterning of the organ, act in coordination with tensional
forces. This highly interdisciplinary approach, combining genetics, imaging, biophysics
and computational modelling should yield information relevant not only to understand
optic cup formation, but also to deduce general self-organization principles of the living
matter.
Relevant Publications:
Letelier et al. (2018a) Nat Genetics, Letelier et al (2018b) PNAS, Nicolás-Pérez et
al (2016). eLife; Gago-Rodrigues et al (2015). Nat Comm ; Tena et al (2014) Genome Research. 24(7):;
Bogdanovic et al (2012). Developmental Cell. 23 (4).
For a full list: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Martinez-morales+JR
Job position description:
Given the interdisciplinary character of the project above described, we are seeking
talented and highly motivated postdoctoral researchers with a background either in
Developmental Biology or in Biophysics. Previous experience with teleost models will
be well received. The candidates should have good communication skills, critical for
ensuring the success of the team effort. We offer full support to apply for external
funding in upcoming postdoctoral call “Juan de la Cierva” (deadline-21st January 2020).
Highly motivated postdoctoral candidates are invited to lead several new projects to address fundamental questions in RNA homeostasis related to neurodegenerative diseases in the laboratory of Jiou Wang. Experimental approaches, including biochemistry, genetics, and cell biology, from invertebrate to mammalian systems are employed. Candidates with a strong background in biochemical, molecular, and/or cellular biology are encouraged to apply.
The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions provide a stimulating and collaborative environment for biomedical research. Our lab is affiliated with the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Department of Neuroscience at the School of Medicine. The Baltimore/Washington D.C. area also offers rich professional and living opportunities.
Candidates should have a doctoral degree and strong research background. Please send a statement of research experience and career goals, a copy of Curriculum Vitae, and contact information of at least one reference to Dr. Jiou Wang at jiouw@jhmi.edu.
A complete listing of PubMed-accessible publications can be accessed at the following URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Jiou+Wang.
More information available at: http://www.jhu-bmb-phd.org/faculty/jiou-wang. The Johns Hopkins University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon institute is a leading institution in basic research of development and cancer, embedded in the first-class interdisciplinary environment of the University.
Applications are invited for a 4-year PhD studentship in the group led by Dr Fengzhu Xiong, on a project titled Tissue mechanics in body axis symmetry. For further information about Dr Xiong’s group, please go to https://www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk/research/fengzhu-xiong
Xiong Lab is interested in the role and regulation of tissue mechanics in morphogenesis (shape change) during development. We integrate a variety of tools from imaging to soft matter physics with the long-term goal of quantitatively predicting morphogenesis. Early vertebrate embryos increase the length of the body significantly during somitogenesis while maintaining straightness. The cell dynamics and tissue forces that prevent axis curvature remain unknown. The project will involve: observing and analysing the dynamics and variability of tissue symmetry and cell behaviours in avian embryos; performing microsurgeries and quantitative tissue force measurements to understand the mechanical constraints on the body axis; developing computational models linking signalling, cell dynamics to tissue mechanics to assess robustness of symmetry. A variety of other projects on tissue mechanics are possible, depending on the student’s interest and background. The student is expected to complete the PhD thesis in the fourth year of study.
Applicants must have (or expect to obtain) a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in developmental biology, genetics, physics and/or engineering disciplines relevant to the project. Motivation, creativity and intellectual independence are desirable as are excellent communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively. This project includes full funding for University and College fees and a stipend. Applicants are encouraged to seek external funding sources. For example, applicants eligible for various scholarships at Cambridge (https://www.cambridgetrust.org/scholarships/) should submit a copy of the application through the University portal and select Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience graduate course before the deadline.
To apply, please send the following as a combined PDF file to jobs@gurdon.cam.ac.uk, please indicate “Application – PR21447” in your email subject:
CV (PDF file listing awards and honours, publications and research/work experiences),
Copy of your undergraduate transcript (and certified English translation if applicable)
A research writing sample (e.g., a publication, undergraduate or masters dissertation, internship project report, etc)
A statement of interest (limit of 2,500 characters) should explain your research career motivation and how this PhD training will help you improve your knowledge and skills.
In addition, please arrange 3 recommendation letter to be sent to jobs@gurdon.cam.ac.uk directly from the referees with the reference number PR21447 and your name in the title.
The closing date for applications is 7 January 2020, with interviews expected to take place in February.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years in the first instance.
The University values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity. Benefits include generous maternity/paternity leave, flexible working and funds for returning carers and other family friendly schemes. The Gurdon Institute is committed to equality and diversity in the workplace, for more information go to https://www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk/wed/SWAN
Click the ‘Apply’ button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact jobs@gurdon.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PR21447 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
The ISLET project is a multi-center collaboration of leading European researchers that has been awarded 8 million Euros in a 5-year period. The project will develop advanced stem cell products ready for use in clinical trials in Type 1 Diabetes. Professor Henrik Semb from DanStem is coordinating the project.
The ISLET project will develop a manufacturing pipeline for stem cell-based products to treat patients with Type 1 Diabetes. In Type 1 Diabetes a patient’s immune system destroys the beta cells within the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas making a patient dependent on life-long delivery of insulin. Based on in-house methods, ISLET will deliver a product composed of clusters of insulin-producing beta cells, derived from human pluripotent stem cells, ready to be used in phase 1 clinical trials.
ISLET also aims to advance this product by engineering clusters of hormone-producing cells that not only consist of the insulin-producing beta cells but also other hormone-producing islet cells, thereby engineering a product that is more alike the islets of Langerhans that are found in the pancreas.
Finally, ISLET researchers will develop innovative solutions to a common bottleneck in stem cell therapy, namely how to predict the therapeutic capacity of stem cell products.
With hubs at University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and the Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Munich, Germany, the European team of world-leading and complementary expertise has been carefully hand-picked to move the work smoothly from the lab bench to the clinic and to market the new products.
“I am very proud that prominent researchers from the University of Copenhagen will participate in taking a great leap forward in the field of diabetes research. The ISLET project, coordinated by Professor Henrik Semb, is a strong example of complementary collaboration between world-leading researchers. Furthermore, this demonstrates how long-term dedication to basic research can have transformative effect. Thus, I hope that future patients will benefit from the development of the clinical stem cell-based transplantation program, says Ulla Wewer, Dean at The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen”.
The funding is awarded through the Horizon 2020 EU Research and Innovation actions programme that also supported the discoveries that laid the foundations for ISLET, in previous funding rounds.
Type 1 Diabetes is a global health challenge, affecting more than one million children and adolescents worldwide, with close to 129,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Diabetes impacts on quality of life and is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. The condition is a severe economic burden on healthcare and the labour force.
“We are extremely excited and honoured that the EU are continuing to support this vital work in driving forward a stem cell therapy for Diabetes. The immensely talented pan-European ISLET team highlights the strength in collaboration between institutions. It is only by working together transparently in this way that we can fulfill the promise that stem cell technology offers to human health globally.” – Professor Henrik Semb, scientific coordinator
“IDF Europe is hugely excited to be participating in ISLET, which we believe has the potential to pave the way for a Type 1 Diabetes cure in the future. The funding allocated to this project will have a huge effect on our ability to effectively represent the voice of, and improve the lives of people living with diabetes and connect all relevant stakeholders to ensure that knowledge is shared as broadly and rapidly as possible for maximum impact.” – Professor Dr Sehnaz Karadeniz, IDF Europe Chair
Xenbase (www.xenbase.org) is the Xenopus bioinformatics and genomics knowledgebase funded by the NIH/NICHHD. We have has two performance sites: the curation team at Cincinnati Children’s, Cincinnati OH (PI: Dr. Aaron Zorn) and the database management team at the University of Calgary in Canada (PI Dr. Peter Vize).
Xenbase is seeking to fill 1 full time Genomic Analyst position to join the curation team at the Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s. This position offers a challenging job involving diverse tasks related to genomic data management and the integration of genotype and phenotype data. As part of the Xenbase team the Genomic Analyst will function at the interface between biocurators, database administrators and software developers to improve data curation; test and help optimize website functionality; develop programming scripts; interact with our user community at research conferences and contribute to Xenbase publications.
Job Description:
• Management and “wrangling” of genomic data.
• Help manage Xenopus genomes and participate in genome annotation and gene nomenclature.
• Help test newly developed code features and provide feedback for developers.
• Work with biocurators, developers and database administrators to promote data integrity, develop he technical specification of new features for the site.
• Participate in data analysis and development of new ways to visualize data.
• Help manage data exports for public use and data exchange with other databases.
• Co-author reports and publications and give presentations at national and international meetings and workshops.
Qualifications:
• MSc or PhD degree in bioinformatics and/or genomics.
• Experience working with genomic data
• Experience with a programming language such as Perl or Python
• Experience with standard bioinformatic tools, analyses, file formats (BLAST, BLAT, multi-seq. alignments, GFF, GTF, etc).
• Demonstrated writing skills (scientific papers, reports and presentations).
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team as well as independently, quickly and accurately and be self-motivated
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent written and spoken English.
Preference will be given to an applicant with:
• 2 or more years’ experience with a bioinformatics, genomics or work with another model organism database
• Experience in relational databases, data annotation/biocuration, knowledge of and familiarity with ontologies.
• Experience in analyzing genomics data, using GRN software, genome browsers and common bioinformatics tools.
• Experience with SVN or Git based version control, particularly GitLab, and continuous integration.
• Experience in constructing and maintaining bioinformatic pipelines.
How to Apply:
Please submit your application here: https://jobs.cincinnatichildrens.org/search/jobdetails/analyst-bioinformatics-genomics/ac4265c1-9a1e-4a3e-9880-35de3f5a6398 Due date: January 31st 2020. Please include:
• A cover letter, including a statement of interest in the position.
• CV/Resume, with 3 references whom we may contact: please include their postal address, email and phone number
• Copy of your degree(s), and undergraduate transcripts.
Salary and Start Date:
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Start date is negotiable, expected to be in early 2020.
Cincinnati Children’s employees undergo background checks, orientation and a 6-month probationary period. All employees are required to receive an annual flu vaccination. More information about working at Cincinnati Children’s, and living in Cincinnati, can be found here: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/careers/working/default/
The Galloway lab is for a highly motivated individual to join a research program focused on musculoskeletal development and regenerative biology. The lab uses genomic approaches combined with zebrafish, mouse, and stem cell models to understand the pathways involved in musculoskeletal development, regeneration, and repair. The position provides an exciting opportunity to work at the interface of basic and translational research in a collaborative and stimulating environment at the Center for Regenerative Medicine and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at MGH, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and the Harvard Medical School.
Minimum degree and field of knowledge: B.S./B.A. in Biology or related field.
Research experience: Candidates with a strong background in molecular biology and cell culture are preferred. The position requires excellent organizational and record keeping skills.
Duties:
The candidate is expected to independently carry out the daily activities of the laboratory, which include:
Responsibilities for a wide range of laboratory techniques including molecular biology, cell culture, animal maintenance, and tissue histology.
Documents, compiles, and analyzes information obtained from laboratory experiments.
Demonstrates the ability to interpret data and to resolve technical problems.
Some animal husbandry involving mouse and zebrafish models may be involved.
Required Skills:
Molecular biology and cell culture experience is preferred.
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail are essential.
Ability to quickly learn new techniques, think critically and work independently.
Demonstrates the ability to work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment, and has excellent communication skills in English.
For more information, visit our lab website (http://gallowaylab.mgh.harvard.edu/).
Interested candidates should submit a CV, a brief cover letter stating current and future career goals, and contact information for three references by email to Dr. Jenna Galloway (jenna_galloway@hms.harvard.edu).
In keeping with a time-honoured tradition, we recently flooded Twitter with 12 beautiful developmental biology GIFs. They came from papers published this year and feature all kinds of systems and visual styles – here they are for posterity! Let us know your favourite in the comments
Zebrafish development with vasculature in cyan and red blood cells in magenta
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Genetics Unzipped is delighted to host a short series of podcasts recorded at the 2019 Galton Institute symposium – New Light on Old Britons – which took place at the Royal Society in London at the end of October. Reporter Georgia Mills talks to some of the leading researchers uncovering the hidden stories of the people of the British Isles.
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