In the lab we aim to dissect the interplay between metabolism and major signalling pathways, with emphasis on the Notch signalling pathway.
Project: Metabolic stress as regulator of Notch signalling
The Notch pathway has been described in several contexts to regulate glycolytic as well as mitochondrial metabolism (including paper from our lab Slaninova V, Open Biology, 2016). At the same time, recent evidence suggest that Notch pathway activity is sensitive to the cell metabolic parameters, such as the NAD:NADH ratio, amino acid availability or activity of metabolism related signalling pathway such as mTOR (Horvath M, Biochem J, 2016 and our current paper in preparation). We investigate this interplay using Drosophila wing disc, eye disc and immune system as models. The theme of the postdoc/PhD project can be defined according to the postdoc/PhD previous experience and interests, but it could be directed to characterization of mitochondria as regulators of Notch directed proliferation, to identification of binding sites for a Notch targeted transcription factor involved in metabolism or to in vivo analysis of metabolic parameters via genetically encoded metabolic sensors.
Applicant: Applicant should have a degree in molecular or cellular biology. Previous experience with Drosophila, molecular biology techniques and/or confocal microscopy is welcome.
Position: Postdoc offer includes a 2-year contract with the possibility of extension. PhD position is a part of the 4-year PhD program at the Department of molecular biology and genetics, University of South Bohemia. More details of the Departments at http://kmb.prf.jcu.cz
Send your CV including address of two referees to akrejci@prf.jcu.cz
My name is Charlotte Blackburn; I am a Zoology graduate currently studying at the University of Edinburgh for an MSc in Science Communication and Public Engagement … yes, that is something of a mouthful! I recently had the opportunity to participate in the droso4schools science communication project of the Manchester Fly Facility, and would like to explain here how this came about, the experiences I made, and how this aligned with my training in science communication.
I’ve been enthusiastically involved in “scicomm” (as it is known to those in the trade) since my second year of university. I have always found engaging the public with science to be incredibly rewarding, and I chose to apply for the Edinburgh course as I wished to explore this emerging field in more detail. Thus far, I have studied topics such as the relationship between modern science and society, the ins and outs of science-based policy making, and the effects of the media on the public’s perception of science. Interestingly, much of what is discussed concerns getting scientists interested in science engagement, rather than the public, as one might assume. In agreement with this notion, also a recent special issue on science communication in the biomedical sciences emphasises that the low degree of participation of researchers in scicomm is an important issue that needs to be addressed. On the one hand, there might be a lack of understanding of scicomm, but often there simply isn’t a large enough incentive for scientists to get involved, and clearly there is lack of time. Life in academia, with its many different tasks in research, teaching, administration, grant writing, dissemination and industry collaboration, is very busy; it is therefore unsurprising that many seem to view science communication as just another job to throw on their ever-teetering pile.
It is my current ambition to achieve a doctorate, and I would ideally like to be able to combine a career in research with my passion for science communication. However, practical experience is something many graduates struggle to gain once they have left the relative comfort of full-time education. Funded internships and research assistant posts are few and far between, and are not always relevant to one’s interests. So I decided to take a proactive approach and sent a few short emails to neuroscientists at the University of Manchester, enquiring about potential voluntary placements. An unusual request, but one that I am glad I made. Soon after, I received a positive response from Professor Andreas Prokop. Although we could not arrange for a longer-term science project for formal reasons, there was an opportunity to take an active part in the science communication initiatives of the Manchester Fly Facility instead – would I be interested? Of course! I jumped at the chance, and I was offered a one months’ work experience placement, supervised by Andreas and the fly facility manager Sanjai Patel.
The Manchester Fly Facility hosts fourteen research groups, each exploring a different area of biology using, as their research tool and strategy, the model organism Drosophila melanogaster (commonly known as the fruit or vinegar fly). I have to confess, before I began my placement at the Facility, I hadn’t had any significant experience with invertebrate biology, let alone Drosophila – and I was only aware of its use as a model organism in the field of connectomics. Up to that point, I had been much more interested in discussing research involving rodents, or non-human primates. However, by the end of my placement, I could be found happily listing the merits of fruit fly research with anyone who would stand around long enough to listen. What then occurred in this short space of time, to turn a normally vertebrate-oriented biologist into such an enthusiastic cheerleader for an insect? Well, I learned a lot about the power and enormous range of applications of fly research. It turns out that the “simple” fly is actually wonderfully complex – for example, flies can memorise and learn – capabilities I would have thought to be exclusive to higher vertebrates. They can also get drunk, aggressive, and jet lagged … and were the first organisms ever to return safely from a trip to space! And, this year marked the seventh Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded for research in fruit flies!
It was a pleasant surprise to find that the researchers at the Manchester Fly Facility are passionate advocators of fruit fly research. As explained in a recent paper, they have developed a comprehensive science communication initiative which not only addresses the public and other non-drosophilist researchers or clinicians, but also recognises the need to communicate with and inspire their own select research community – since the need and importance of science communication and Drosophila advocacy appears not to be recognised by many scientists (as already discussed above).
At the Manchester Fly Facility, however, there is a team of scientists who actively make time. They do so, because they believe firmly and passionately in the importance and benefits of engagement, for both the general public, formal education, and the wider scientific community, and this is clearly spelled out in their “Vision, Mission, Purpose” statement, as well as in a recent PLoS blog.
As part of their work with the public, the Fly Facility also initiated the droso4schools project which aims to introduce Drosophila as a teaching tool in the biology lessons of schools and colleges. Within this project they developed an excellent, regularly reviewed program of biology lessons for schools and colleges, offering a plethora of free, high quality online resources for teachers, as has been explained in a recent publication.
The school biology lessons they generated are the result of long-term collaborative efforts of research staff and placement students together with engaged teachers at partner schools; they link fundamental biology teaching to both past and current fly-based research, and directly address numerous key learning requirements from the national curriculum, often with an end-of-year revision session in mind. There is even a lesson on statistics! Notably, the lesson resources with teacher support materials can be downloaded separately and are being used not only in the UK, but worldwide (see their impact document).
And it doesn’t stop there. The team have also put together a set of complementary resources to be used by other scientists on extra-curricular school visits and science fairs, and they engage in school visits themselves and offer CPD sessions hosted at the university, for teachers interested in using flies as regular hands-on teaching tools in the classroom (see their impressive list of visits and events).
The work Andreas and Sanjai had in mind for me, was lab-based, aiming to develop and document fly experiments for their active outreach programme. When I discovered this at our initial meeting, I became even more enthusiastic – what a great opportunity to combine my interests! My placement allowed me to gain insight into the working behind this initiative which, to my great surprise, is driven in its core by only two people, Sanjai and Andreas.
(A) Compound eye of Drosophila. (B) Ommatidium, a single visual unit of the compound eye: 1, lens; 2, photoreceptive cells; 3, exiting nerve leading to the brain. A diagrammatic view of a compound eye (C) compared to a human eye (D); although the eye anatomy is different, the steps in detecting light are the same. For more info, see the vision resource.
My task was to work out and document experiments for an almost completed lesson concerning the science of vision (see the online resource). Drosophila, with their compound eyes, are capable of seeing different wavelengths of light, similar to what we would describe as colour vision in humans. Part of my task was to develop a method of demonstrating this in the form of a hands-on and/or virtual micro experiment for use in classrooms. Initially, I was a little daunted, but I soon settled into the familiar trial-and-error routine of scientific problem-solving. I received training in specialist fly handling techniques, and fantastic support from Sanjai, who was a great help when it came to formulating feasible ideas. It wasn’t too long before I developed an experimental set-up that would allow me to show colour vision and colour-blindness in flies; exploiting the fly’s positive phototaxis behaviour (a natural attraction toward light sources, as is explained on the resource’s web page), I devised an experimental set-up with a series of coloured and UV lights, using materials sourced from my father’s company, which specialises in UV-based hand hygiene training.
After a few sessions of fine-tuning, I began the filming process, aiming to show-case the experiment on YouTube to help teachers set it up, and to complement the web resource. The video footage can also be used in classrooms where teachers do not have the time or capacity to set it up as a hands-on practical. With the fantastic support (and patience) of Nick Ogden and his team at the School of Biology’s Photographics Unit, it took only a few sessions over a number of days to collect some excellent footage of vision-based fly behaviours in action. The art of video editing also took a bit of getting used to at first, but the final cut is something I’m quite proud of.
Apart from having gained an insight into the biology of a truly remarkable organism (which once I would have swatted away without so much as a second thought), this placement has been a fantastic learning experience. I’ve had a chance to synthesise and exercise my theoretical knowledge in practice, and gain hands-on experience in the busy world of academic science communication.
I’ve been able to engage in lively discussions regarding scicomm strategies with my supervisors, and with other researchers at the facility. Yes, scientists are busy, but with a clear, overarching objective, scicomm participation can be woven into even the most hectic of scientific lives. Scicomm strategies don’t just materialise overnight (nor do they need to) – the most successful are formed from a careful step-by-step process of pooling, developing, and evaluating ideas over the long-term.
I have learned some of the ways in which information I’ve generated can be communicated, in order to maximise impact, and capitalise on time invested. For example, the practical experiment I devised could not only be used in school lessons, but also at science clubs, and as a demonstration at science fairs. Furthermore, the video has been posted on YouTube, and can now be shared via other social media platforms. I’ve also been involved in some exciting discussions regarding the potential development of a large-scale engagement initiative, one which could reach thousands of pupils, far more than could ever be reached through scattered school visits. The CusMiBio Project (University of Milan, Italy) has shown how a simple school outreach programme can be cultivated, over time, into a truly remarkable collaborative enterprise. Using this initiative as a blueprint for their own, the Manchester Fly Facility team could help to put Manchester on the map as a national frontrunner in science education outreach. This would not only be a fabulous asset to the university, but also for the schools involved.
The Manchester Fly Facility team are an inspiring example of science professionals who understand that science communication and engagement should be, and indeed is, a mutually beneficial experience. It is often said that enthusiasm can be contagious, and I for one can only hope that this team’s enthusiasm for science engagement continues to spread a buzz throughout the academic community.
Charlotte Blackburn
This blog post was first published on the droso4schools site [LINK]
The Mokalled lab at Washington University School of Medicine is hiring at all levels (http://www.mokalledlab.com/). Our lab uses zebrafish and mouse model systems to study neural regeneration after spinal cord injury or disease. Candidates with enthusiasm for neuroscience, regenerative biology, and zebrafish research are encouraged to forward a cover letter, CV, and list of 3 or more references to mmokalled@wustl.edu.
Here are the highlights from the current issue of Development – the last one of the year! Happy reading…and happy holidays!
Branched actin keeps Nrf2 in check in the skin
The Arp2/3 complex is responsible for the assembly of branched actin filaments. Although its cellular functions are well understood, less is known about the consequence of its disruption in developing animals. To investigate the function of Arp2/3 in the skin, Metello Innocenti and colleagues (p. 4588) have generated mice specifically lacking Arpc4, a core component of the complex, in the epidermis (referred to as Arpc4 eKO). These animals developed progressive psoriasis-like lesions soon after birth, accompanied by characteristic dermal inflammation. Differential gene expression analyses reveal upregulation of inflammatory and dermatological disease-related pathways in the affected Arpc4 eKO tissue. The mutant mice show increased epidermal levels and activity of Nrf2, a master regulator of epidermal homeostasis, the hyperactivation of which was previously found to result in severe keratinocyte abnormalities similar to those observed in the Arpc4 eKO. Furthermore, the authors show that Nrf2 interacts with the actin cytoskeleton, and a functional Arp2/3 complex sequesters Nrf2 to the cytoskeleton, effectively blocking its pro-psoriatic transcription factor activity. Intriguingly, Arpc4 appears to be downregulated in human psoriatic lesions and chemically induced psoriasis-like lesions in mice, thus providing further support to the authors’ model whereby loss of Arp2/3 is involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Tbx6 seals mesodermal fate in the tail bud
Neuromesoderm progenitors (NMPs) are a distinct stem cell population that express both the mesoderm marker brachyury (T) and the neural marker Sox2, and are required for axial growth in vertebrates. They are capable of binary fate choice, differentiating as either neural or mesodermal progenitors. Tbx6, a downstream target of T, has been proposed to act as a fate switch, stimulating the mesodermal differentiation of NMPs, but the timing of this fate commitment is unclear. On p. 4522, Ramkumar Sambasivan and co-workers report the identification of cells in the mouse primitive streak and later in the tail bud that co-express Tbx6 and Sox2. These Tbx6+/Sox2+ cells represent a novel transient subpopulation of NMPs primed for mesodermal differentiation. Tbx6-null NMPs in mouse embryos are incapable of mesodermal commitment and default to neuronal differentiation, which strikingly results in ectopic formation of neural tubes. The authors show that this phenotype is stronger in more posterior regions, suggesting a differential requirement for Tbx6 in trunk versus tail NMPs. These data confirm the proposed ‘fate switch’ role of Tbx6 in mesodermal commitment of NMPs, and further our understanding of NMP differentiation and their role in body axis elongation.
FGF signalling: making matrix in the lung
Alveologenesis – the repeated division and growth of alveoli to expand the surface area in the lung – is one of the least understood stages of postnatal lung development. Defective alveologenesis results in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a disorder often observed in premature infants. FGF signalling and the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein elastin are known to be important for alveologenesis, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. On p. 4563, Xin Sun and colleagues dissect the roles of FGFR3 and FGFR4 in alveologenesis. Using both global and conditional Fgfr3;4 double-mutant mouse models, they show that the earliest apparent phenotype – preceding any defects in alveolar organisation – is the improper deposition of elastin fibres. Levels of elastin protein are initially unchanged, but fibre organisation is disrupted, suggesting that this may be the underlying cause of the alveolar simplification observed in the mutants. Furthermore, the phenotype can be partially rescued by depletion of Mfap5, a regulator of elastin deposition that is upregulated in the Fgfr3;4 mutant. Lineage-specific inactivation of Fgfr3;4 demonstrated that normal alveologenesis requires functional Fgfr3 and Fgfr4 in the mesenchyme but not the epithelium, which is consistent with the known role of fibroblasts in ECM organisation. The authors suggest that a defective elastin ECM physically interferes with alveolar septa formation, resulting in simplified alveoli characteristic of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Braving the cold with β-Tubulin 97EF
Although mammals have internal mechanisms for regulating body temperature, the vast majority of organisms are ectotherms, meaning that their body temperature is dictated by the external environment. Temperature fluctuations significantly affect cellular homeostasis, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are currently poorly understood. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that microtubules are sensitive to cold, with suboptimal temperatures causing their disassembly. Christian Lehner and colleagues (p. 4573) employed global gene expression analyses of Drosophila S2R+ cells grown over a range of temperatures to identify β-Tubulin 97EF, a previously poorly characterised β-tubulin paralogue, to be among the most temperature-responsive. This upregulation was confirmed in vivo, and exhibited distinct tissue specificity, with expression being most prominent in the gut and the hemocytes. Despite the mild phenotypic consequences of β-Tubulin 97EF inactivation, likely confirming functional redundancy between β-Tubulin paralogues, βTub97EF mutant Drosophila embryos were more sensitive to the cold than their wild-type counterparts. Moreover, although there was no correlation between β-Tubulin 97EF levels and microtubule assembly rates, microtubules containing β-Tubulin 97EF were less prone to destabilisation at lower temperatures. Taken together, these results identify β-Tubulin 97EF as a cold-regulated isoform that promotes microtubule stability, and highlight the importance of mechanisms to allow acclimation to temperature variations.
PLUS:
An interview with Claudio Stern
Claudio Stern is the J. Z. Young Professor of Anatomy at University College London (UCL), UK. His lab studies the processes that regulate patterning and cell diversity in the early embryos of vertebrates, mostly in chick. Claudio, an elected fellow of the Royal Society, the UK Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Latin-American Academy of Medical Sciences, was awarded the 2006 Waddington Medal by the British Society of Developmental Biology, and he also served as President of the International Society for Developmental Biology (ISDB) from 2010-2013. At the 18th Congress of the ISDB (Singapore, June 2017), Claudio was awarded the ISDB’s Ross Harrison Prize, which recognises an individual’s outstanding contributions to developmental biology. We met with Claudio to ask him more about his career, his thoughts on the field, and his advice for early career researchers. Read the Spotlight article on p. 4473.
The TGFβ superfamily in Lisbon: navigating through development and disease
The 10th FASEB meeting ‘The TGFβ Superfamily: Signaling in Development and Disease’ took place in Lisbon, Portugal, in July 2017. Here, Jan Christian andCarl-Henrik Heldin review the findings presented at the meeting, highlighting the important contributions of TGFβ family signaling to normal development, adult homeostasis and disease, and some novel mechanisms by which TGFβ signals are transduced. Read the Meeting Review on p. 4476.
The hallmarks of cell-cell fusion
Cell-cell fusion is essential for fertilization and organ development. Dedicated proteins known as fusogens are responsible for mediating membrane fusion. However, until recently, these proteins either remained unidentified or were poorly understood at the mechanistic level. Here, Javier Hernández andBenjamin Podbilewicz review how fusogens surmount multiple energy barriers to mediate cell-cell fusion. See their Review article on p. 4481
Mechanisms of gene regulation in human embryos and pluripotent stem cells
While the principles that establish and regulate pluripotency have been well defined in the mouse, it has been difficult to extrapolate these insights to the human system due to species-specific differences and the distinct developmental identities of mouse versus human embryonic stem cells. In their Review, Thorold Theunissen andRudolf Jaenisch examine genome-wide approaches to elucidate the regulatory principles of pluripotency in human embryos and stem cells, and highlight where differences exist in the regulation of pluripotency in mice and humans. Read their Review article on p.4496
The Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Biomedicine in Muenster, Germany has an opening for a
PhD student
(position-code 15-2017)
The position is available in the group of Dr. Ivan Bedzhov that is focused on understanding the self-organization of early mammalian embryos and stem cells. The successful candidate will investigate the mechanisms of spatiotemporal organization and cell fate transitions of the early lineages. Technical approaches cover 3D cell and embryo culture techniques, genetic and genomic engineering in stem cells and embryos, cell transplantation studies, embryo micromanipulations, live-imaging, molecular biology and next generation sequencing techniques. Supervision by senior scientists and technical assistance from a laboratory technician will be provided.
We are looking for a talented and highly motivated PhD student with strong interest in stem cell biology and mouse embryonic development. Previous research background in epithelial polarity or mouse development and embryonic stem cells is an advantage, but not a requirement. Excellent organizational skills, ability to work effectively as part of a team and to plan and execute experimental research independently are required.
The position is available immediately. This is a fully funded 4 years position, part of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1348 “Dynamic Cellular Interfaces”. The income will be according to 65% of level E13 TVöD (the regulations of the contracts for the civil service – Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst).
The Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine offers dynamic, multidisciplinary environment with state-of-the-art transgenic, imaging, robotics, genomics and proteomics equipment and core facilities. The working language in the institute is English, knowledge of the German language is not required. A childcare facility is situated in the guesthouse of the institute next to the main building. The institute is located in Muenster that has been awarded LivCom-Award for ‘The World’s Most Liveable City’ by the UN.
The Max-Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.
Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.
Please send your application (with the position-code 15-2017), letter of motivation, CV, the contact information of 2 referees and (optional) the Masters degree’s thesis to:
The position is available in the group of Dr. Ivan Bedzhov that is focused on understanding the self-organization of early mammalian embryos and stem cells. The successful candidate will investigate the mechanisms of spatiotemporal organization and cell fate transitions of the early lineages. Technical approaches cover 3D cell and embryo culture techniques, genetic and genomic engineering in stem cells and embryos, cell transplantation studies, embryo micromanipulations, live-imaging, molecular biology and next generation sequencing techniques. Supervision by senior scientists and technical assistance from a laboratory technician will be provided.
Your profile
We are looking for a talented and highly motivated PhD student with strong interest in stem cell biology and mouse embryonic development. Previous research background in epithelial polarity or mouse development and embryonic stem cells is an advantage, but not a requirement. Excellent organizational skills, ability to work effectively as part of a team and to plan and execute experimental research independently are required.
Our offer
The position is available immediately. This is a fully funded 4 years position, part of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1348 “Dynamic Cellular Interfaces”. The income will be according to 65% of level E13 TVöD (the regulations of the contracts for the civil service – Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst).
The Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine offers dynamic, multidisciplinary environment with state-of-the-art transgenic, imaging, robotics, genomics and proteomics equipment and core facilities. The working language in the institute is English, knowledge of the German language is not required. A childcare facility is situated in the guesthouse of the institute next to the main building. The institute is located in Muenster that has been awarded LivCom-Award for ‘The World’s Most Liveable City’ by the UN.
The Max-Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.
Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.
Your application
Please send your application (with the position-code 15-2017), letter of motivation, CV, the contact information of 2 referees and (optional) the Masters degree’s thesis to:
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology – DanStem has been established as a result of a series of international recruitments coupled with internationally recognized research groups focused on insulin producing beta cells and cancer research already located at the University of Copenhagen. DanStem addresses basic research questions in stem cell and developmental biology and has activities focused on the translation of promising basic research results into new strategies and targets for the development of new therapies for cancer and chronic diseases such as diabetes and liver failure. Find more information about the Center at http://danstem.ku.dk/.
Our research:
Our lab has two main goals 1) to understand how cell polarity and tissue architecture control cell fate specification (see Kesavan et al, Cell 2009 and Löf-Öhlin et al, NCB 2017) and 2) to translate this knowledge into efficient and reliable strategies for regenerative medicine in diabetes (Löf-Öhlin et al, NCB 2017 and Ameri et al, Cell Rep 2017). These objectives are applied, primarily, to our organ of choice – the pancreas. To explore our goals, we use a combination of mouse pancreatic epithelium and human pluripotent stem cells as model systems. Functioning as an interdisciplinary lab we work to combine knowledge from multiple systems; through the combinatorial use of animal models, stem cells and computer modelling.
Project:
The aim of this project is to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of tubulogenesis and its role in balancing cell proliferation and differentiation of multipotent progenitors in the developing pancreas. The postdoc will use the mouse model and confocal and multiphoton 3D microscopy of both live and stained specimens to investigate these questions, as part of a team of imaging, developmental biology and image analyses experts.
The position is for 2 years with possible extension. The employment is planned to start beginning of 2018 or upon agreement with the chosen candidate.
Qualifications:
A PhD degree in life sciences. Postdoctoral experience is a merit.
Documented hands-on experience in developmental biology and genetics of the mouse
Documented experience in advanced imaging and image analysis. Experience with segmentation and tracking in large 3D datasets and/or programming skills is a merit.
Good record of peer reviewed scientific publications and grant writing skills.
An interest in cross-disciplinary research. Experience in the same is a merit
Excellent English skills written and spoken
Employment Conditions:
The terms of employment are set according to the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations or other relevant professional organization. The position will be at the level of postdoctoral fellow and the basic salary according to seniority is 32.700-34.400 DKK/month. A supplement could be negotiated, dependent on the candidate´s experiences and qualifications. In addition a monthly contribution of 17.1% of the salary is paid into a pension fund. Applicants that are recruited from abroad may be eligible for a special researcher taxation scheme. In all cases, the ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration, and thus we encourage all – regardless of their personal background and status – to apply.
The application must be submitted in English, by clicking on “Apply online” below. Only online applications will be accepted. The closing date for applications is 23.59pm, January 22, 2018
The application must include:
Cover letter detailing the basis on which the applicant scientific qualifications meet the requirements for this position.
Curriculum vitae.
List of references (full address, incl. email and phone number)
Diplomas – all relevant certificates.
List of publications.
Application procedure:
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an expert assessment committee. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on his/her assessment. You may read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk. DanStem and The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of personal background.
Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the oldest university in Denmark. With 37,000 students and 9,000 employees, it is among the largest universities in Scandinavia and one of the highest ranking in Europe. The University consists of six faculties, which cover Health and Medical Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Theology.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology – DanStem has been established as a result of a series of international recruitments coupled with internationally recognized research groups focused on insulin producing beta cells and cancer research already located at the University of Copenhagen. DanStem addresses basic research questions in stem cell and developmental biology and has activities focused on the translation of promising basic research results into new strategies and targets for the development of new therapies for cancer and chronic diseases such as diabetes and liver failure.
The goal of this project is to engineer therapeutically active islet-like aggregates for future cell therapy phase 1 trials in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).
Job Description:
We are looking for a postdoctoral candidate with a strong cell biological and cell signaling background in directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. Experience in differentiation towards pancreatic lineages is a merit. The candidate is expected to work on the engineering of human pluripotent stem cell-derived aggregates with functional properties close to human islets of Langerhans. The functionality and therapeutic potential of the aggregates will be tested in vitro and in vivo after transplantation into mice. The candidate is expected to use state-of-the-art genetic, molecular and cell biological, and tissue engineering experimental strategies. The candidate will work together with a dedicated team of scientists and technicians who together will tackle bottle-necks towards implementing the phase 1 clinical trials in T1D.
Qualifications:
The candidate is required to hold a PhD degree in pluripotent stem cell or developmental biology. A few years of postdoctoral experience in the same area are a merit. The candidate should also have hands-on experience in human pluripotent stem cell maintenance and differentiation, 3D culture of pluripotent stem cells, various cell and molecular biological methods, flow cytometry and live-cell imaging. Finally, we are looking for applicants with a good record of peer reviewed scientific publications, grant writing skills and an interest in team work.
Employment Conditions:
The position is for 2 years with a possible extension. The employment is planned to start as soon as possible or upon agreement with the chosen candidate.
The terms of employment are set according to the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations or other relevant professional organization. The position will be at the level of postdoctoral fellow and the basic salary according to seniority is 32.700-34.400 DKK/month. A supplement could be negotiated, dependent on the candidate´s experience and qualifications. In addition, a monthly contribution of 17.1% of the salary is paid into a pension fund.
Applicants recruited from abroad are eligible for a special researcher taxation scheme. In all cases, the ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration, and thus we encourage all – regardless of their personal background and status – to apply.
The application must be submitted online and in English, by clicking on “Apply online” below.
The closing date for applications is 23.59pm, 22th January 2018.
The application must include:
Cover letter detailing the basis on which the applicant scientific qualifications meet the requirements for this position.
Curriculum vitae.
List of references (full address, incl. email and phone number)
Diplomas – all relevant certificates.
List of publications.
Application procedure:
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an expert assessment committee. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on his/her assessment. You may read about the recruitment process on http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process
DanStem and The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of personal background.
Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the oldest university in Denmark. With 37,000 students and 9,000 employees, it is among the largest universities in Scandinavia and one of the highest ranking in Europe. The University consists of six faculties, which cover Health and Medical Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Theology.
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organization – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.
Science communication (scicomm) has become a buzz term in the current science landscape. I fully support its importance and have been a scicomm “activist” for over 6 years. My initiatives promote the enormous importance of Developmental Biology as a key discipline of the biomedical sciences (see our advocacy campaign); within this context, I put specific emphasis on the use of Drosophila as a most powerful tool to advance concepts and fundamental understanding (see our recent publication).
Defining scicomm and its many different facets is not easy. In my interpretation, it means establishing dialogue (in a variety of modalities) between practicing scientists (called “scientists” from now on) and a wide range of target groups to resolve reciprocal misconceptions, learn from one another and achieve mutual benefit.
Direct engagement of scientists with the wider public is usually done at science fairs, school visits, public presentations, etc. Many of these activities tend to be short-lived one-offs that reach a limited amount of people and, at first glance, may appear to be relatively low on ‘impact.’ However, there are opportunities if we open up to dialogue! Genuine engagement with pupils, teachers or visitors at a science fair can be a sobering exercise: the responses you receive make absolutely clear, what topics and arguments come across, excite and are perceived as being important – and it is the “thumbs down” responses which should make us think about our own science! To put it bluntly: if you cannot explain your science and its importance, you either have not thought hard enough and need to refine your explanations, or you are doing the wrong thing and should consider changes in your research direction! If we use scicomm in this way, it will help to align our science with the wider society in the long term; this can be taken even a step further through citizenscience and other forms of actively involving the public in our research. Furthermore, it will provide the refined explanations and elevator pitches with which to advocate our science and engage with journalists to achieve improved and helpful press outlets. Even more, they provide profound rationales and simple narratives that will be as powerful when presenting our own science in grant applications, talks and publications.
Important aspects of scicomm lie in the hands of journalists or teachers. Scientists tend to have little influence on article or school lesson contents, although journalists reach audiences in their millions, and students at schools are the potential future scientists and will constitute and shape the future society which we would wish to embrace science. To engage in true dialogue ….
To read the full content, please see the original publication of this post on PLoS blogs.
Here at the Node we are always on the lookout for beautiful developmental biology images and videos, and love our science art (see here, here, here, here and here!).
So we were excited to hear FASEB announce the winners of their 2017 BioArt competition. As well as gorgeous images (see below) there was this wonderful video – the first 24 hours of embryo development in 9 animal species. I’d recommend full screen HD/4K for full embryonic immersion!
It’s a wonderful piece of comparative embryology, maybe one for all introductory developmental biology courses! And look what they turn in to:
Image cobbled together in house. All images from Wikipedia, aside from the Chaetopterus and Crepidula that come from the always useful World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) site
Here’s a gallery featuring the development-y winning images (click for more info):
By Marina Venero Galanternik, Daniel Castranova, Tuyet Nguyen, and Brant M. Weinstein. This microscopy image shows that Fluorescent Granular Perithelial cells (FGPs, in green) are closely associated with the blood vessels (red) that surround an adult zebrafish’s brain. FGPs are novel type of cell found in both zebrafish and mammals, and researchers suspect that they play a key role in maintaining the blood–brain barrier and clearing toxic substances from the brain. Investigators from the Intramural Research Program of the NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development are using the zebrafish to further our understanding of the function of FGPs. They recently discovered that FGPs are closely related to cells that form the lymphatic system, which collects, cleans, and returns fluid to the circulatory system.
By MENU Related Pages Breakthroughs and Horizons in Bioscience Scientific Contests BioArt About BioArt Submit Entry Dates, Terms & Conditions Frequently Asked Questions Current Winners Past Winners Stand Up for Science Washington Update Newsletter Receive FASEB Email Communications News Room The 2017 BioArt Winners Scroll below for the winners of the 2017 BioArt Contest. For better viewing, click the images below to enlarge them. Marina Venero Galanternik1*, Daniel Castranova1, Tuyet Nguyen2, and Brant M. Weinstein1* 1Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD) 2University of Maryland (College Park, MD) *Society for Developmental Biology Research Focus: Cardiovascular development This microscopy image shows that Fluorescent Granular Perithelial cells (FGPs, in green) are closely associated with the blood vessels (red) that surround an adult zebrafish’s brain. FGPs are novel type of cell found in both zebrafish and mammals, and researchers suspect that they play a key role in maintaining the blood–brain barrier and clearing toxic substances from the brain. Investigators from the Intramural Research Program of the NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development are using the zebrafish to further our understanding of the function of FGPs. They recently discovered that FGPs are closely related to cells that form the lymphatic system, which collects, cleans, and returns fluid to the circulatory system. Dimitra Pouli1, Sevasti Karaliota2, Katia P. Karalis2, and Irene Georgakoudi1 1Tufts University (Medford, MA) 2Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens (Athens, Greece) Research Focus: Fat metabolism These white fat cells were imaged using a specialized technology called Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). This label-free, noninvasive process uses near-infrared light to probe the vibrations of specific types of atomic bonds. The output of CARS lets scientists “see” where high concentrations of fat (lipids) are present in intact living tissue. This research team is studying the metabolic behavior of tissues with lots of white fat cells (energy-storing) versus those with many brown fat cells (energy-dissipative). Through this NIH National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering-supported project, they aim to expand our understanding of how different fat tissues work, which might inform new interventions for obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. João Botelho, Daniel Smith, Macarena Faunes, and Bhart-Anjan Bhullar. This alligator embryo is in the early stages of organ development or organogenesis. Fluorescent labeling highlights the nerves (green), muscles (orange), and cell nuclei (blue). At this developmental stage, several crocodylian characteristics are becoming apparent, including a long tail and the massive trigeminal nerve in the head – which makes an alligator’s face more sensitive than a human fingertip. However, it still looks very similar to a bird embryo, which is no coincidence: crocodylians and birds are each other’s closest living relatives. Their common ancestor lived over 250 million years ago and would have looked like a small dinosaur. This research team is comparing alligator and chicken development to identify differences that produce bird-like characteristics. The NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences supports these researchers’ studies of the evolution and development of bird body structures.
By Kevin A. Murach, Charlotte A. Peterson, and John J. McCarthy. In this image culture-grown muscle stem cells from a mouse have fused together to form myotubes, mimicking the formation of muscle fibers in living organisms. Fluorescent labeling reveals the myotubes’ multiple nuclei (blue) and distinct striations (red) – both are characteristic of mature muscle fibers. Some of the myotubes also display green fluorescence, which was introduced into the cells with a virus. The researchers plan to use the same viral delivery system to genetically modify the cells and assess how impairing cell fusion alters myotube growth. The NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and National Institute on Aging support their research into muscle growth, adaptation, and recovery in adults, including how muscle stem cells in modify the surrounding cellular environment to promote these activities.
By Haley O’Brien. Cloven hoofed mammals have a special arterial network inside their skulls that is used to keep their brains cooler than their bodies. Selective brain cooling helps these animals reduce water loss and avoid heat stroke. In this CT scan of an American pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana), a special contrast dye was used to illuminate the skull and arteries. Dr. O’Brien is investigating whether the ability to keep the brain cool has helped these animals survive warming and drying climates. The NSF Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences recently funded the purchase of a x-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT) scanner at the University of Arkansas that will be used by Dr. O’Brien and other researchers in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas to promote scientific discovery and foster academic-industry partnerships.
By Vanja Stankic and Rachel K. Miller. Cilia (yellow) are specialized hair-like structures on cells. Some cilia are motile and can beat in coordination, creating a directional fluid flow. This motion is used to propel an egg toward the uterus, circulate cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, and clear airway tracts in the respiratory system. Immotile cilia within the kidney are thought act as sensors of fluid flow. Structural and functional defects in cilia are linked to infertility, brain abnormalities, chronic respiratory problems, and kidney abnormalities. This image show skin cells from a frog (Xenopus laevis) embryo, which also have motile cilia and are commonly used as a research model for cilia development, or ciliogenesis. These NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases-funded researchers are using this frog model to study the role of ciliogenesis in kidney development.
Olga Zueva,Thomas Heinzeller, Daria Mashanova, and Vladimir Mashanov. Brittle stars and starfish have radial symmetry, with a nerve cord running down the length of each arm. This 3D model shows the nervous system within one arm segment of a brittle star (Amphipholis kochii). The colors indicate the three subdivisions of its nervous system: the ectoneural system (green); the hyponeural system (magenta); and mixed peripheral nerves (blue). This pattern of nerves is repeated in all segments throughout an arm. To create this model, the research team imaged thin sections of a brittle stars arm and used specialized software to assemble and fine-tune the model. Scientists are increasingly using brittle stars and other echinoderms to study limb regeneration, bioluminescence, and other features. Their NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences-supported work expands our fundamental knowledge of how echinoderm nervous systems are organized.
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The Arp2/3 complex is responsible for the assembly of branched actin filaments. Although its cellular functions are well understood, less is known about the consequence of its disruption in developing animals. To investigate the function of Arp2/3 in the skin, Metello Innocenti and colleagues (p. 
Neuromesoderm progenitors (NMPs) are a distinct stem cell population that express both the mesoderm marker brachyury (T) and the neural marker Sox2, and are required for axial growth in vertebrates. They are capable of binary fate choice, differentiating as either neural or mesodermal progenitors. Tbx6, a downstream target of T, has been proposed to act as a fate switch, stimulating the mesodermal differentiation of NMPs, but the timing of this fate commitment is unclear. On p. 
Alveologenesis – the repeated division and growth of alveoli to expand the surface area in the lung – is one of the least understood stages of postnatal lung development. Defective alveologenesis results in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a disorder often observed in premature infants. FGF signalling and the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein elastin are known to be important for alveologenesis, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. On p. 
Although mammals have internal mechanisms for regulating body temperature, the vast majority of organisms are ectotherms, meaning that their body temperature is dictated by the external environment. Temperature fluctuations significantly affect cellular homeostasis, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are currently poorly understood. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that microtubules are sensitive to cold, with suboptimal temperatures causing their disassembly. Christian Lehner and colleagues (p. 
Claudio Stern is the J. Z. Young Professor of Anatomy at University College London (UCL), UK. His lab studies the processes that regulate patterning and cell diversity in the early embryos of vertebrates, mostly in chick. Claudio, an elected fellow of the Royal Society, the UK Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Latin-American Academy of Medical Sciences, was awarded the 2006 Waddington Medal by the British Society of Developmental Biology, and he also served as President of the International Society for Developmental Biology (ISDB) from 2010-2013. At the 18th Congress of the ISDB (Singapore, June 2017), Claudio was awarded the ISDB’s Ross Harrison Prize, which recognises an individual’s outstanding contributions to developmental biology. We met with Claudio to ask him more about his career, his thoughts on the field, and his advice for early career researchers. Read the Spotlight article on p. 
The 10th FASEB meeting ‘The TGFβ Superfamily: Signaling in Development and Disease’ took place in Lisbon, Portugal, in July 2017. Here, 
Cell-cell fusion is essential for fertilization and organ development. Dedicated proteins known as fusogens are responsible for mediating membrane fusion. However, until recently, these proteins either remained unidentified or were poorly understood at the mechanistic level. Here, 
While the principles that establish and regulate pluripotency have been well defined in the mouse, it has been difficult to extrapolate these insights to the human system due to species-specific differences and the distinct developmental identities of mouse versus human embryonic stem cells. In their Review, 
