🍰Read also the News & Views article written by Kyle P. Eagen: 👉https://rdcu.be/e2WvA bit.ly/4koY2Hm

☕ @allanaschooley.bsky.social @jobdekker.bsky.social & co find that mitotically bookmarked loci drive a transient chromosome folding state during G1 entry that is subsequently modulated by factors inherited through the cytoplasm. bit.ly/4r6uO2D

Chromatin-organizing cohesin complex cooperates with transcription factor IRF8 to enable the functionality of dendritic cells in vivo @sciimmunology.bsky.social www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... @nyulangone.bsky.social @nickadams-phd.bsky.social @mitpress.bsky.social

🧬 New preprint alert! After years of collaborative work across 52 datasets we are presenting eQTLGen phase 2: a genome-wide eQTL meta-analysis covering 43,301 blood samples: www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6... (1/8)

Happy to share our perspective on the DNA translocation mechanism by the CMG helicase. DNA translocation by the CMG helicase: the helical inchworm model url: portlandpress.com/biochemsoctr...

Highly recommend! Great lab and project.

Want to interpret DNA sequence-to-function models to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms? Then this is a must read!

Very excited to share our new Molecular Cell paper on missense mutations in Polycomb genes and how they can disrupt chromatin regulation to drive neurodevelopmental disorders. A huge thank you to everyone involved, and to our amazing collaborators! www.cell.com/molecular-ce...

Our new preprint on SMCHD1! We’ve shown SMCHD1’s ATPase activity is critical for function in vivo, and excitingly a new DNA binding domain neighbouring the ATPase domain activates the enzymatic function, which is important for normal chromatin binding. urldefense.com/v3/__https:/...

Final version of our paper now published. elifesciences.org/articles/109... Take homes: CHD4/NuRD directly limits transcription factor residence times. At active enhancers this keeps them working efficiently. At inactive enhancers it prevents TFs from getting a foothold and causing activation. 1/n

Terrific paper on a new chromosomal compartment where extensive loop extrusion isolates domains from other such domains

How do compartmentalization & loop extrusion organize eukaryotic genomes beyond classical model organisms? Hi-C analysis of silkworm chromosomes by Drinnenberg, Muller, Mirny et al reveals new combination of these mechanisms, and a new, secluded “S” compartment link.springer.com/article/10.1...

New study led by Prof. Daniel Munoz-Espin in collaboration with Prof. James Brenton's and our lab 🚨🚨🚨 www.nature.com/articles/s43...

Self-Doubt, the new book from @labliston.bsky.social, explores the uncertainty researchers face in their careers. Several scientists share their stories, including Tombi Makuyana, a postdoc in the LMB’s PNAC Division. Read more about the book here: www.cam.ac.uk/stories/camb... #LMBNews

I think Ian Chapman's focus throughout this process has been excessively PI-centred and ignores early career researchers and training. A big funding pause doesn't cause them to worry about their jobs. It causes them to lose their jobs. And to be unable to get new ones. Their careers will be ended.

During germline epigenetic reprogramming, Polycomb must be restricted in the gametes to ensure proper genome regulation in the fertilized embryo. 2 must-read papers assess what happens when Ezhip (Polycomb antagonist) is lost. They come to highly similar conclusions and should be read in tandem 1/4

🚨 1/ Preprint Alert! Sex determination outcome is conserved across vertebrates (i.e. generating 2 compatible sexes) ♀️♂️ But are the cell types and gene programs behind them conserved too? 🧬 Spoiler: not really 👀 Find out in our new preprint ⬇️ www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

"AI is rapidly populating medical records with synthetic content, creating a feedback loop [that] drives a rapid erosion of pathological variability and diagnostic reliability...this renders AI generated documentation clinically useless after just two generations" www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...

Check out our new findings showing BRD4's role in preventing the premature activation of developmental transcription factors via #Polycomb, providing new mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorder #CdLS #NDDs, #chromatinopathies www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

New preprint from the lab! We dig into the regulatory roles of TEs in the mouse placenta, with some surprising findings. Led by the awesome @smamante.bsky.social. Particular kudos to him for navigating the many twists and turns of the project.

Both MRC and BBSRC responsive modes now withdrawn until further notice. Existing applications unlikely to succeed (late 2025 round expecting 1-5% success rate). Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating. Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky

At a time when the UK should be capitalising on its global reputation as a great place to do science, this is an enormous own goal. I am so sorry for all those who jobs are going to be impacted.

Seconded!

excellent thread

The pause of future funding is awful. But the retrospective culling of already submitted grants is horrific. How many wasted hours for those of us who have grants submitted? What about the post docs who have been given hope their position might be extended who should have been job hunting?

Really, we need to decide as a society whether we value science, the training of scientists. Because it's feeling very much like we, collectively, don't. If we (our government) claims to, then it needs to invest in science. Otherwise it had better give us notice to find somewhere that does.

The MRC has asked each of its grant review boards to recommend no more than 3 applications for funding, RPN has heard from multiple sources Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...

That would be catastrophic

I've started my own lab 🎉 PhD/postdoc positions available - reach out if curious about cerebellum evo-devo and autism spectrum disorders. We’re based at Uni Tartu, Institute of Genomics (home to Estonian Biobank), and funded by @simonsfoundation.org @embo.org, and the Estonian Research Council.

Join us at the Evolutionary Biology Centre at Uppsala University. We’re searching for an Assistant Professor in Biology. www.uu.se/en/about-uu/...

Just out @natrevimmunol.nature.com RNA-binding proteins and ribonucleoproteins as determinants of immunity www.nature.com/articles/s41... gives our perspective on this growing area of research. Special thanks to the editor Alexandra, for streamlining the manuscript.

#FragileNuclesome is back tomorrow! Join us to hear about exciting talks from: - @au-ho-yu.bsky.social in @robklose.bsky.social's group about transcriptional control by SET1/MLL complexes - @gcloner.bsky.social at @epicypher.bsky.social about the histone PTM landscape of the immune system

Very excited for @livcracknell.bsky.social and @eugenia-w.bsky.social to represent our lab at the Keystone Symposia Meeting "iPSCs: Progress, Opportunities and Challenges" in Kyoto, Japan www.keystonesymposia.org/conferences/...

Have you wondered how the rules of chromatin folding have evolved? Well, this task is not easy to formalize. But here is our take on it: train species-specific DNA-to-chromatin encoder, apply to DNA of unseen species, and build chromatin rules-based tree of life. Have a look: doi.org/10.1093/nar/...

I had the privilege to meet artist Mary Griffiths. Mary got inspired by Hi-C maps and over zooms we spoke about Hi-C maps, patterns and drawings. Mary’s Hi-C inspired art has been exhibited eg the Royal Academy. We wrote this piece about this art-science collaboration pubs.aip.org/aip/bpr/arti...

📣 Please spread: we’re hiring a Lab Manager! It is a critical position in our new lab. As our lab moves to Barcelona and joins the @crg.eu, we’re looking for a Lab Manager to help build the lab and set the lab atmosphere. 🔗 Apply here 👉 recruitment.crg.eu/content/jobs...

🚨Postdoc opportunity🚨Our lab at MRC-LMB Cambridge is recruting a postdoc to study transcription-coupled splicing using cryoEM and endogenous isolation! 🔬 🧬 Please feel free to get in touch directly #postdoc #cryoEM #biochemistry #splicing Apply here by 11 Feb www.nature.com/naturecareer...

Turns out that if you use a broom to scratch yourself everyone thinks you're a weirdo but if a cow does it they end up in the cover of Current Biology

🔔 New paper alert 🔔 www.nature.com/articles/s41... Some regions in the genome replicate early and some late, but the why and how remain poorly understood. DNA replication and 3D genome organization appear linked, raising the question if one may regulate the other? (1/n)

Preprint alert: Jiangyuan Liu developed a new workflow for chromatin loop calling across Hi-C datasets, e.g., during differentiation. Most loops are shared between datasets/cell states. Important work for all interested in chromatin loops and how to identify them! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

If you are looking to build your lab, take a listen to these interviews on @lonelypipette.bsky.social! www.buzzsprout.com/1356877/epis...

New preprint on technologies to scale up CRISPR screens. We use them to map 665,856 pairwise genetic perturbations and outline a path to comprehensive interaction mapping in human cells. We also introduce an approach for cloning lentiviral libraries with billions of elements.

What can we learn from comparing ~2,000 fungal genomes? Find out about: 🍄evolutionary transitions 🍄lifestyles 🍄genome dynamics 🍄sampling gaps 🍄efforts to uncover the remaining fungal dark matter New review by @jgi.doe.gov's Stephen Mondo and Igor Grigoriev www.nature.com/articles/s41...

⚠️ The final work of two former PhD students Till @tschwammle.bsky.social and Verena @verenamutzel.bsky.social is out! ➡️⬅️ They dissect how memory can arise from antisense transcription using mathematical modelling 💻, genomics 🧬 and synthetic biology ⚒️! link.springer.com/article/10.1...

"We need to ask ourselves, on both sides of the Atlantic, if we want to live in a world where democracy is recast as weakness, truth as opinion and justice as an option." Perfectly summed up by the secretary general of the Council of Europe. (gift article) www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/o...

Thank you @auersperga.bsky.social‬ and Veronika for this perfect timeline cleanse.

Happy New Year all. I know it's been a draining and difficult year for science in general, but wanted to share some good news: our intrabody paper has now been published in Science Advances with lots of additional data. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Thrilled to share our latest work: Fine-tuning BACH2 dosage balances stemness and effector function to enhance antitumor T cell therapy - now online in Nature Immunology. Led by Alberto Conti, Alex Evans and Teresa von Linde in the lab. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

There is a special Current Opinion in Genetics & Development issue about genome architecture and expression and it looks great including reviews by @lennarthilbert.bsky.social @yghavi.bsky.social and @wbickmor.bsky.social www.sciencedirect.com/special-issu...

The Vlaming lab continues to grow! It's an exciting time in the Vlaming lab: we've just had our 2nd PhD student join, and the 3rd is joining in February. Now, we're looking to recruit a postdoc!