The laboratory of Dr. Angelo Iulianella is seeking a graduate student and postdoctoral research scientist to study the establishment and maintenance of cell types identities during neural development. The ideal candidates will have experience in molecular biology, cell culture, microscopy, transcriptional profiling, and neural development. The positions are available from early 2020, although start time is flexible. For postdoctoral candidates, funding is available for 3 years and recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
About us: Dalhousie University is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities. Our lab is part of the multidisciplinary Brain Repair Centre (http://www.brainrepair.ca) and Atlantic Mobility Action Project (www.amap.ca), which seeks to understand the development and repair of the neural circuitry of movement. We are situated in a highly collaborative environment with access to confocal and super-resolution microscopy, cytometry, and proteomic facilities.
About Halifax, Nova Scotia: With a population of 400,000 people, Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia and the educational, cultural and economic hub of Atlantic Canada. Discover rugged shorelines, sandy beaches, and hiking trails all within reach of the urban centre. Achieve your ideal work-life balance in a beautiful part of the world, while doing amazing science!
Please forward your CV, a statement of your research interest, and reference information by e-mail to:
Cell-cell communication plays a central role in the coordination of morphogenesis and fate specification. Most components of the major signalling pathways have been identified. We however lack a quantitative understanding, in time and space, of the dynamics of signal transduction from the membrane to the nucleus. The CRBM Tunicate embryology Research Team uses molecular and 3D + time live imaging approaches to study this process during ascidian embryogenesis.
The PhD project:
One of our major projects combines experimental and mathematical modelling approaches to produce a quantitative model of the information flow between membrane and nucleus for two major signal transduction pathways.
We are looking for a PhD student to develop an optogenetic control strategy for the FGF/SOS/Ras/ERK and Eph/RasGAP/Ras signaling pathways. This approach will open the way to a variety of questions including: how long does signal transduction take from the membrane to the nucleus? during which phase(s) of its cell cycle is the cell competent to respond to receptor activation? what is the minimum activation time of the receptor needed to produce a stable nuclear response? what is the function linking the activation level of the receptor and that of ERK? The experimental results will be integrated into a mathematical model, in collaboration with theoreticians, which will provide suggestions for further experiments.
Training:
This project is mostly experimental. It will give the selected student a solid expertise in embryology (microinjections, in vitro fertilization…), signal transduction and advanced light-sheet imaging. In addition, the PhD student will frequently interact with our computer science collaborators, the MOSAIC and ICAR teams. Participation in public outreach actions (Science festivals, My Thesis in 180 seconds, …) will be encouraged.
Necessary skills:
Master training in cell biology or development, with a strong interest for embryonic development
An interest in mathematical modelling (no specific mathematical knowledge needed).
A first experience in molecular cloning and confocal/light-sheet microscopy of live samples would be appreciated.
An experience in RNA or proteins microinjection into oocytes would be a plus but is not required.
No Knowledge of French required. Working knowledge in written / spoken English needed.
Application:
This project can be joined directly as a PhD student in fall/winter 2019, or as a Master intern in winter 2019, the PhD only starting in fall 2020. Funding is for 3 years.
The host research team is located at a major Cell Biology institute in Southern France, the CRBM (CNRS /U. Montpellier). All seminars and meetings are in English. The institute has a very well-equipped Imaging core facility, hosting a Luxendo MuViSPIM microscope on which lightsheet microscopy experiments will be carried out.
References linked to the project:
Leggio, B; Laussu J; Carlier, A; Godin, C; Lemaire, P and Faure, E (2019) MorphoNet: An interactive online morphological browser to explore complex multi-scale data. Nat Commun. 10(1):2812
Guignard*, U.-M.Fiuza*, B. Leggio, E. Faure, J.Laussu, L. Hufnagel, G. Malandain, C. Godin#, P.Lemaire# (2017) Contact-dependent cell communications drive morphological invariance during ascidian embryogenesis. bioRxiv 238741 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/12/24/238741
U-M Fiuza, T. Negishi, A. Rouan, H. Yasuo, P. LemaireNodal and Eph signalling relay drives the transition between apical constriction and apico-basal shortening during ascidian endoderm invagination (2018) bioRxiv 418988 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2018/09/15/418988
Lemaire P. (2011) Evolutionary crossroads in developmental biology: the tunicates, Development, 138(11):2143-52.
Tassy, O., Daian, F., Hudson, C., Bertrand, V., Lemaire, P. (2006) A quantitative approach to the study of cell shapes and interactions during early chordate embryogenesis. Current Biology 16:345-58
Postdoctoral Position in applying light sheet microscopy to understanding algal-spotted salamander endosymbiosis
A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. David Matus at Stony Brook University to investigate symbiotic and developmental processes with Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy. We have funding for a minimum of one year of postdoctoral support to develop protocols for extensive in vitro and in vivo imaging of cell invasion processes with a focus on the tissue and cellular entry of endosymbiotic algae as they enter their spotted salamander embryo hosts (Ambystoma maculatum). This work is funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation in collaboration with researchers from University of Arizona, the Bigelow Marine Laboratory, and Gettysburg College (see Shelf Life Episode 11). The project will combine molecular biology, embryology, cell biology, and extensive light sheet imaging. Preferred candidates will have backgrounds in light sheet and/or confocal microscopy, working with modern tissue clearing and staining methodologies and interests in advanced imaging methods at the intersections of cell and developmental biology with ecology and evolution. My laboratory is a part of a modern and well-equipped Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Stony Brook University on Long Island, NY. For further information on our work, please see the following publications on techniques,cell invasion, and the symbiosis.
To apply, please send a letter of interest detailing your expertise, CV and names and contact information of three references to david.matus@stonybrook.edu and apply to the advertised position here.
The Developmental Biology Group (Prof. I. Lohmann) at the Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) in Heidelberg, Germany is looking for a
POST-DOC
to study the role of HOX transcription factors in controlling cellular plasticity and cell fate maintenance.
You will join the Lohmann lab (http://ilohmann-lab.org), which is located at the Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, and studies the role of HOX transcription factors in defining cell type identities using Drosophilaas a model.
Cell fates are controlled by networks of transcription factors (TFs) that activate transcriptional programs realizing the distinct properties of cells of a given cell types.However, how TFs control different cell fates is still un unsolved question. HOX TFs represent an excellent model to address this fundamental problem, since they are broadly expressed yet perform highly specific functions within different cell types. We have previously shown that Hox TFs stabilize cell fate choices by suppressing the multipotency encoded in the genome via the interaction with the Polycomb complex. We now seek for enthusiastic new colleagues to analyse our hypothesis that elimination of the Hox code, which is maintained throughout the lifetime of an organism, results in “memory-less” naïve cells that are easy to reprogram.
The Heidelberg Molecular Life Science Community offers a vibrant molecular research community, as well as state-of-the-art core facilities.
Successful candidates should have experience in genomic approaches like RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, analysis of genomic data, confocal microscopy, advanced immunohistochemistry and possibly in Drosophila genetics and molecular biology. The ability to quickly integrate into an interdisciplinary team and work independently within an academic research environment is essential. The position is immediately available, the salary is according to TV-L regulations. Disabled persons with comparable skills will be preferentially considered.
The University of Oklahoma College of Arts and Sciences is excited to announce three open faculty positions at any rank in the Department of Biology. As part of our Biology of Behavior strategic initiative, the department invites individuals with creative, innovative, and dynamic research programs who are interested in joining a strong group of researchers to apply for these faculty positions:
A Geneticist who uses integrative molecular approaches to understand the evolution, specification, and/or regulation of how genes affect organismal behavior.
A Physiologist who studies the endocrine regulation and modulation of behavior.
An Evolutionary Developmental Biologist who studies how developmental processes give rise to organismal morphology, nervous system structures, and/or physiology that lay the foundation for the generation of behavior.
The anticipated start date is August 2020. For additional details on these positions, applicant qualifications, and how to apply, please visit http://ou.edu/bb and http://www.ou.edu/cas/biology.
Screening of candidates will begin October 15, 2019 and will continue until the positions are filled.
The University of Oklahoma is an EO/Affirmative Action institution http://www.ou.edu/eoo/. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.
How would you create a hole between two sticky surfaces? Simply crack it!
At a first glance, trying to pull apart the two surfaces seems to be a good idea, but in practice, you might need a lot of energy. However, it seems that the mouse embryo has found a smart and efficient way to do so during its pre-implantation development. After three rounds of cellular divisions, the 8-cell stage embryo starts to compact: cell-cell contacts are expanding, making the embryo more spherical instead of a collection of bubble-like cells [1]. After another round of cleavage, it also internalizes the cells that are more contractile [2]. They will become the Inner Mass Cell (ICM), the future fetus proper, while less contractile cells, the Trophectoderm cells (TE) form a squamous epithelium, that surrounds the ICM and will become part of the placenta. From this step, the embryo is almost spherical, with two layers of cells.
Then, at the 32-cell stage, the embryo shows a new feature: a lumen, a fluid-filled cavity, that breaks the previous radial symmetry by forming at the interface of TE and ICM cells. To grow a lumen, three conditions are needed: 1- to have a sealed compartment, here ensured by the tight junctions between TE cells at the embryo surface; 2- to draw water towards the sealed compartment: in our case, the mouse embryo builds an osmotic gradient by pumping ions in the intercellular medium and lets the water flow through pores; 3- and finally, you have to make room for the accumulated fluid. But here is the problem: the blastocoel forms systematically on the basolateral side of the TE cells, where the cells strongly adhere together! In most other examples of lumen formation, the opening happens at the apical side of the epithelium, where adhesion is repressed! Thus, arises the question: how can you create a lumen at the adhesive side of cells?
In our research [4], we combine developmental biology and physics to decipher the mechanisms of the embryogenesis. We have found that the apparition and the positioning of the lumen, the so-called blastocoel, can be explained using simple physical and biological concepts.
The formation of the blastocoel was a long-time debated topic. Studies have mainly focused on the expansion phase, when the blastocoel is already positioned, while its initiation and positioning are still poorly understood.
What Julien did first, with the help of Francesca and Ludmilla, was to look at the steps preceding the apparition of the blastocoel. In the last decades, efforts have been done on culture conditions and advances in microscopy have permitted to reduce light exposition while improving spatiotemporal resolution. Using resolutive imaging in space and time, that involved the use of both transgenics and microscopy techniques, heobserved the embryo literally boiling!Hundreds of bubbles appeared at the intercellular contacts before the final lumen, forming a network of small microlumens throughout the embryo. Some of those microlumens grew in size, while others disappeared (Fig. 1). As biologist, this observation might seem not significant, but for physicists, this coarsening process immediately rang a bell: looking at the movies, it was really analogous to a well-known process in soft-matter physics: Ostwald ripening. Basically, it describes how in a vinaigrette, the droplets of vinegar will coarsen into fewer drops, the bigger droplets growing to the detriment of the smaller.
From this observation, the collaboration between the two teams emerged, with one team of biologists (Julien, Francesca, Ludmilla and Jean-Léon), the other of physicists (Mathieu, Annette and Hervé), with two questions: i- how these water pockets form in spite of cell adhesion? ii- as they form ubiquitously through the embryo, what mechanisms ensure the formation of a single blastocoel and its final positioning?
Figure 1: Microlumens appear at the onset of cavitation and coarsen to form a final fluid-filled lumen, the blastocoel, breaking the symmetry of the embryo.
The microlumens form and expand in the extracellular space, at the interface between cells. Julien looked at those cellular contacts, showing that during the formation of microlumens, the spatial distribution of adhesion molecule (E-cadherins) evolves from a homogeneous to a localized heterogeneous distribution. From this observation came the idea of hydraulic fracturing, where water pressure cracks cell-cell contacts exactly like it would crack the rock in oil fracking [3].
After discussions, we came with two main scenarii. a- as cells are active material, they could autonomously regulate their adhesion and create weak points where the fluid could accumulate; b- adhesion is a force that opposes to fluid accumulation, and the expansion of microlumens is capable of pushing adhesion molecules away. To answer this, we had no direct way to measure inside the embryo how cells react against an increase of pressure in the intercellular space. So instead, we chose to inhibit (in three different ways) the formation of the microlumens. in the absence of microlumen, we couldn’t see any reorganization of the E-Cadherin. Our favorite interpretation from this result: this is the hydraulic pressure that breaks locally the adhesion between the cells, and from these breaking points, microlumen can expand. In a nutshell, the embryo seems to generate an increase of hydraulic pressure to break apart all cells contacts instead of specifically regulating its adhesive properties.
A coarsening process is generally made possible by the exchange of matter between different compartments. In the mouse embryo, the microlumens can exchange fluid via the intercellular contacts, which connect them throughout the embryo. A coarsening process akin to Ostwald ripening furthermore involves two other key features: the only stable state is a single droplet, and it requires a surface tension at droplet interfaces, which generate the pressure driving fluid exchange. In the embryo, we invariably observe the formation of a single lumen, and it is furthermore always located at the interface in between the TE and ICM. Thus, we quickly came to the idea that playing on the cell “surface tension” would give us great insights into the mechanical aspects of the blastocoel formation. Indeed, according to previous studies [1], we knew that ICM and TE cells have different levels of contractility, that can physically be translated into surface tensions.
We therefore built a theoretical model of the network of microlumens as a two-dimensional graph of connected hemispherical drops, to test in silico the physical predictions with an algorithm developed by Annette and Mathieu, and we designed experiments to test in situ the biological predictions. Our combined results suggest that, due to osmotic gradient and active pumping, the cells inject fluid that pressurizes the intercellular space, hence creating the hundreds of microlumens by disrupting the cell-cell adhesive contacts. The newly formed microlumens then coarsen into a single final lumen, with a characteristic biphasic dynamic of collective growth then shrinkage, observed both for the model and for the myriad microlumens measured by Julien.
From there, Mathieu predicted with the model the formation of the blastocoel on the side of the embryo, between TE and ICM cells, hence breaking the symmetry of the embryo (Fig. 2., left panel). This prediction was tested using chimeric embryos that Julien made (Fig. 2, center and right panels): an equal mixture of wild-type cells and low-contractility cells, deficient in myosin activity, shows a clear bias for the final position of the lumen toward the low-contractility domain of the chimera, as the theory predicted. The experiments of Julien on low-adhesion mutants, lacking half of E-cadherin activity, also predicted effects of the partial loss of adhesion, that were then tested by Mathieu on the theoretical model, confirming the whole process as being a trade-off between adhesion and contractility.
Figure 2: (Left) Probability of blastocoel formation for ICM-ICM (blue) or TE-ICM (red) multi-cellular lumens vs the tension asymmetry ratio from simulations. (Right) In chimeric embryos, the final position of the blastocoel is biased towards less contractile part of the embryo (Myh9 deficient cells).
One fascinating aspect of the process is how much it is robust: even though breaking adhesive cell-cell contacts may not be thought to be the best process to form a lumen, the mouse embryo succeeds to form an internal cavity. Moreover, despite the immense molecular complexity of embryo development, the formation of the blastocoel follows rather simple physical mechanisms.
The project was going back and forth between theory and experiment all along. The geographic proximity and the excellent relationship between the two teams were key factors, speeding up the process and the constant exchanges, helping us to remove the barrier between theoretical biophysics and developmental biology.
It was a quick and extremely stimulating project for both our young teams. Part of the pleasure of the project was to gather many people with various expertise, and to see all the pieces matching together to give a comprehensive model at many levels, and of course to work with such enjoyable people.
I, Julien, come from the zebrafish community, and I was used to image embryos that develop fast, as the embryo looks like a fish in 24 hours after fertilization. Then I started to work in Jean-Léon’s team and image relatively slow embryonic development (the mouse embryo takes 3 days to build the blastocyst). Nonetheless, I was convinced that we were missing (and most probably are still missing) key steps of mammalian development and decided to push the system further. Having time resolution of minutes or seconds led to these incredible observations and were key is the direction in which we pushed our research. What I will retain from this work is the exciting collaboration with Annette, Mathieu and Hervé, that opened a new field for me: I must confess, I never heard of coarsening before! I am really happy to see that physicists can be as amazed as developmental biologists by embryogenesis and that these enthusiastic interactions can lead to exciting discoveries.
As far as I (Mathieu) am concerned, this was my first real scientific contribution, ending with a beautiful paper. The fact that such a key step in the mouse embryo development can be simply seen as a fracking and coarsening process still amazes me. Starting the study of the morphogenesis of the mouse embryo was a real challenge with my background of theoretical physicist. Hopefully, Julien and others from his team were always more than happy to speak, and to show me what they were doing, which was an invaluable help. I could not think of better conditions as a start for my PhD, and I am really thrilled to see where it will go.
Figure 3 : Representative set of collaborators (n = 6). From left to right: Ludmilla, Julien, Francesca, Jean-Léon, Hervé and Mathieu.
It opened so many foods for thoughts, promising new and exciting results about the development of the mouse embryo, that we are now trying to push forward. Are there factors that favor the final position within the embryo or is it a stochastic phenomenon? What are the consequences of this increase of pressure on cells at molecular and genetic levels? What triggers the initiation and nucleation of the microlumens?
The Hamdoun and Lyons Laboratories at U.C. San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography (https://scripps.ucsd.edu) are seeking a highly motivated postdoc candidate for a joint fellowship at the intersection of evolutionary and ecological developmental biology. The successful candidate will be nominated for the competitive Scripps Postdoctoral Scholar (SPS) Award (https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF02248). The Hamdoun Lab (www.hamdounlab.org) focuses on the function of small molecule transporter systems in early embryogenesis. The Lyons Lab (www.lyonslab.org) focuses on the evolution of gene regulatory networks and morphogenesis. The postdoc will be part of a motivated group of students, staff, postdocs and visiting scholars within the two labs, who are broadly interested in cell and developmental biology of marine organisms.
A potential focal point of this postdoc position is the opportunity to take advantage of Lytechinus pictus, an emerging genetically-enabled echinoderm species being developed in our labs, which is useful for live imaging, cell biology, developmental biology, genomics, and toxicology. Resources available to the candidate include larval culturing facilities, a fully sequenced genome, and a new marine transgenics facility for maintenance of stable lines.
Additionally, the Lyons and Hamdoun Labs offer a broad range of other systems for comparative developmental studies among echinoderms and molluscs, and provide a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment between our groups and among other labs at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, with UC San Diego’s main campus, and with other academic and industrial partners in the greater San Diego Area.
Eligibility:
To qualify, applicants must have a Ph.D. (or be close to earning one), have experience in molecular biology and/or genetics, and be eligible for nomination for the Scripps Postdoctoral Scholar (SPS) Award. Strong training in transgenesis, genome engineering technology (including CRISPR/Cas9 editing), gene delivery techniques (e.g. microinjection, electroporation), and cis-regulatory element analysis are highly desirable.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit the following items, as a single PDF, to Drs. Hamdoun (hamdoun@ucsd.edu) and Lyons (d1lyons@ucsd.edu):
1) Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and qualifications
2) CV
3) Statement of research/career goals
4) Names and contact information for at least three references
Review of applications will begin immediately and Drs. Hamdoun and Lyons will work directly with the successful candidate to develop their SPS Award application.
The Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology (CDIB) https://www.uab.edu/medicine/cdib/ at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks highly-qualified applicants for a position of tenure-earning Assistant Professor with a research focus on mechanisms regulating development and organogenesis, developmental origins of birth defects, or developmental programs involved in tissue growth and regeneration. Applicants with a background in using animal models are strongly encouraged to apply.
Candidates should be highly motivated with excellent communication, teaching, and writing skills, and to have demonstrated ability to conduct advanced research. Candidates are expected to establish a robust and externally funded research program and contribute to teaching and mentorship activities. Applicants who can bring innovative approaches that complement existing expertise within the department will be given preference.
The successful applicant will benefit from newly renovated research facilities, strong institutional and departmental commitments to career development, and a vibrant, collaborative research environment. A competitive compensation and startup package is being offered.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, short essays describing past research activities and future research goals, curriculum vitae, and contact information of three references to: https://uab.peopleadmin.com/postings/5364.
UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
The Center of Regenerative Medicine (CRM), together with the Departments of Cell Biology & Physiology, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Neurosurgery, Pathology and Immunology, and the Divisions of Nephrology and Gastroenterology within the Department of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis invite applications at the level of assistant professor on the tenure track. Faculty in the CRM and these departments and divisions employ a broad range of cellular systems and model organisms to explore fundamental and translational questions in regenerative medicine.
We are seeking outstanding colleagues with an interest in any area of regenerative medicine, including the genetic and epigenetic control of pluripotent, adult, or cancer stem cells; cell fate specification and reprogramming; repair and replacement of lost or damaged tissues; gene therapy; and tissue engineering.
The CRM is a trans-institutional, interdisciplinary center with more than 80 faculty members representing diverse aspects of regenerative medicine. To serve the needs of its members, the CRM has research cores, as well as discussion groups and trainee fellowships. More information about the CRM can be found at: https://regenerativemedicine.wustl.edu/
Review of applications will begin October 15, 2019.
Interested applicants are required to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and summary of their research accomplishments and plans through our online system: https://facultyopportunities.wustl.edu/apply/Posting/Detail/1010435. Please indicate in your cover letter which department(s)/division(s) you work mostly closely aligns with. We expect that selected candidates will join one or more of the participating departments and the CRM. Applicants should also be prepared to provide the names and email contact information for three referees to provide letters of recommendation during the application process.
Washington University seeks an exceptionally qualified and diverse faculty; women, minorities, protected veterans and candidates with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Written by: Aida Rodrigo Albors, Laura Pellegrini and Neil Dani.
This July, The Company of Biologists Workshops together with Maria K. Lehtinen and Fiona Doetsch organized a meeting titled “New Frontiers in the Brain: Unexpected Roles of the Choroid Plexus-Cerebrospinal Fluid System in Health and Disease”. Set in the gorgeous countryside of Steyning in the United Kingdom, Wiston House (circa. 1576), with its historic and charming past, served as a fitting venue for a workshop on a research topic that has captured scientific minds for millennia. Indeed, Hippocrates (460–370 B.C.) and Claudius Galen from Pergamon (130–200 A.D.) believed that the “pneuma psychikon” or “spiritus animalis,” which roughly translates to “the life force that powers the mind,” was located in the brain’s cerebral ventricles that contain the choroid plexus-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) system. Over time, more fantastic but ultimately incorrect conclusions arose from the inherent challenges of studying the CSF system that lies deep within somewhat inaccessible parts of the brain. For example, it was once thought that the brain’s ventricles were not filled with CSF but instead with a vapor that ultimately condensed into a fluid upon death due to the drop in body temperature. Correcting such theories took another millennium and the work of several preeminent thinkers including Leonardo da Vinci and Andreas Vesalius (among many others), whose work helped map the ventricular system and confirm CSF flow. Undoubtedly, rewriting theories greatly depended on the continual development of new tools to better access and study the choroid plexus-CSF system.
Now, let us fast forward back to Wiston House in July 2019. Here, a small group of 30 people: 20 senior and 10 early-career researchers, continued the tradition of leveraging new technology to better understand the workings of the choroid plexus-CSF system and their roles in disease. We, the authors of this post, were lucky to count ourselves among the early-career researchers and would like to take the opportunity to share our experience with you. Laura Pellegrini is a postdoctoral researcher working at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Cambridge, UK), in Madeline Lancaster’s group and is developing cutting-edge organoid models to study the secretion and barrier functions of the choroid plexus. Neil Dani, a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Maria Lehtinen (Boston Children’s Hospital, USA) is applying single-cell transcriptomics to characterize the cellular composition of the choroid plexus and is developing tools to study tissue function in vivo using mouse models. Aida Rodrigo Albors, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow in the lab of Kate Storey (Dundee, UK), after working with axolotls to study ependymal cell recruitment in spinal injury models, now uses single-cell technologies to disentangle the heterogeneity of spinal cord ependymal cells in mice. Since our field is relatively small with almost no specialized meetings, we and the other researchers were keen on attending the workshop to find peers who were equally dedicated to a research topic that is heating up and attracting researchers with diverse training. It turned out that our expertise complemented each other in just the right ways, which aroused exciting conversations and ideation throughout the workshop.
Group picture on the lawns of Wiston House.
The wide range of topics covered included the role of the choroid plexus-CSF system during embryonic development and adult life, the liver-like functions of the choroid plexus, and the emerging contributions to human disorders such as autism and childhood carcinomas. Next, we saw cutting-edge single-cell RNA-sequencing technologies applied to comprehensively characterize the cell populations that form the choroid plexus and ependymal cells that line the central canal of the spinal cord. Some investigators also shared their extraordinary live imaging techniques to observe choroid plexus function and CSF flow across the ventricles in mice and zebrafish, as well as in vitro-derived choroid plexus cells and choroid plexus organoid models that make this difficult-to-reach tissue more accessible for manipulation and functional studies. Leveraging these new technologies will surely give us a better understanding of the mechanisms of the choroid plexus-CSF system to uncover its role in health and disease.
The Company of Biologists Workshops has a winning formula when it comes to hosting scientists to debate an exciting and upcoming field. For example, junior and senior investigators were given the same amount of time for their talks, thus making everyone feel like an equal contributor. This approach helped create a comfortable environment from the start and helped spur animated discussions well beyond the scheduled question time, into the tea breaks, during meals, and even during the hike across the South Downs National Park that borders Wiston House. Each speaker was also given the freedom to present a topic of their choice, which allowed postdocs to share their most exciting and unpublished data, junior investigators to share their research vision, and senior investigators to flesh out historic landmark findings – altogether giving us a glimpse into the past, present, and future of the field.
Celebrating a successful workshop. Cheers!
Another highlight of the workshop was the amazing dining spread for each of the meals, which definitely helped fuel the discussions and excitement, for which we extend our heartfelt thanks to the amazing staff at Wiston House. Finally, the team behind The Company of Biologists Workshops deserves high praise for organizing an incredible event and ensuring that everything went off without a hitch – not a trivial task for an international conference that represented researchers from 11 countries! The relationships forged during the workshop will surely continue beyond Wiston House – already embodied by our team-writing this piece for the Node (which took place across three countries!). So, we hope that you, the reader, will feed off our enthusiasm and explore the exceptional Biologists Workshop series to find ways to help shape an exciting research area and cherish the experience as we will surely continue to do.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...
(3 votes)
