Delighted to have been awarded a Lister Prize with which we will continue our research on human embryo models, as part of the Lister community lister-institute.org.uk/news/our-lis... Due in large part to our amazing team of researchers who always strive to push boundaries + do excellent science 💪

The term 'stem cell-based embryo models' was used in the UK House of Lords today... 😱

Really important update. If the UK indeed moves towards a ‘sandboxing’ policy it would mean we could be much more responsive to scientific progress in, for instance, the #SCBEM field. From the always excellent @emmacave.bsky.social

Progress Educational Trust (PET)@pet-bionews.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Professor Emma Cave discusses the newly proposed ‘Regulating for Growth Bill’ announced in the King’s Speech... Read more for free in BioNews: www.progress.org.uk/the-case-for... #SCBEMs #Regulation #Biotechnologies #Research #Ethics #Law #Governance #Science #PublicOpinion

"Inside this delicate, fluid filled sphere, a small cluster of cells gathers at one side, out of which the embryo proper will grow: every organ, tissue, and feature…researchers have worked out how to watch these events unfold – the grainy opening frames of the movie of life, played on repeat."

Henry Scowcroft@oh-henry.bsky.social · 3mo ago

So, I wrote a big feature for The Crick Magazine, about @nmoris.bsky.social's super-cool work on embryo models, and the ethical questions they raise. Read it here: www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-03... @crick.ac.uk

BLAST(oid) OFF! Embryo models head into space… 🚀 www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/...

Journal club today included some interesting examples of homeotic and meristic transformations…! 😆

I am giving a "Crash Course in Embryo Development" for the general public (no science background needed! pitched around GCSE-level) in London on 21st May www.crick.ac.uk/whats-on/cri... We'll dip into development, with a splash of embryo models, and a pinch of ethics. And it's free! Book online 👍

Crick Crash Course: Embryo development

crick.ac.uk

Following several years (!) of discussion and rumination, our team of excellent colleagues - Martin Pera, @nicolasrivron.bsky.social, @amartinezarias.bsky.social, Karen Sermon and Nienke de Graeff - have published a new ethical perspective on SCBEM #embryomodels rdcu.be/fcklG [1/5]

And the @bsdb.bsky.social Waddington medal goes to... @jamesbriscoe.bsky.social. Could not be more highly deserved, I'm so delighted to hear this 👏

Honoured to receive this recognition from @isscr.org along with excellent colleagues- particularly since they noted the ethical advances which @nicolasrivron.bsky.social and I have tried to support in the growing SCBEM field alongside our research, showing the community’s value of ethical leadership

ISSCR@isscr.org · 5mo ago

The ISSCR also recognizes five outstanding scientists with Honorable Mention distinctions for the 2026 Early Career Impact Award. The award is supported by the @cheninstitute.bsky.social. Learn more: https://ow.ly/ivGb50YoFaZ

We're recruiting a #devbio Postdoctoral Fellow to explore the hTLS system! If you know any fab PhD students finishing, or candidates wanting to get their hands on #SCBEM embryo models, do get them to apply! 🌟https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-study/vacancies/2026-02-03-postdoctoral-fellow-moris-lab

She was so excited to receive a copy of this in physical form, Komal (joint 1st author) even colour coordinated! 😂 So proud of the team who delivered this fab work 💪🏼 …and our first cover too! ⭐️

Lab-grown embryo models let researchers study foundational processes of development. A new embryo model has helped researchers at the Crick to study the neural tube and somites in detail and confirm two-way communication between them. Read the full story ➡️ www.crick.ac.uk/news/2025-12...

Uncovering early embryonic communications using new stem cell model

New stem cell-based embryo model reveals previously unknown communication between early tissues that become the spine and muscles in the central part of the body.

crick.ac.uk

Lovely little pre-Christmas present to see this out @natcellbio.nature.com! Some 🔥 new results in here since the biorvix incl (1) a new RARE-GFP reporter ✳️🙌, (2) additional NMP quantification 🔢, (3) no neural tube patterning on RA inhibition 🙅 etc. Enjoy! 😍 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Modelling co-development between the somites and neural tube in human trunk-like structures - Nature Cell Biology

Makwana, Tilley et al. generate human stem cell-based trunk-like structures approximating Carnegie stage 13–14 of development. They use them to model and study the development of the thoracic and lumbar trunk.

nature.com

Tricky questions and challenging discussions, but I hope we communicated the importance of basic developmental biology research and social context when it comes to the #futureoffertility #ivf Available wherever you get your podcasts! 🎤 www.lnk.to/AQOSFertilit...

What is the future of fertility?

Professor Brian Cox and our expert panel explore the science of fertility. Biology has come a long way, but when it comes to fertilisation, pregnancy, and development, our knowledge is still surpr...

lnk.to

The Crick is looking for new junior group leaders! Any postdocs or early career researchers wanting to be our colleagues should apply 👍

The Francis Crick Institute@crick.ac.uk · 10mo ago

We're now recruiting early career group leaders at the Crick to lead ambitious research programmes and explore bold scientific questions. Hear our Director, Edith Heard, explain why the Crick is a unique place for curiosity-driven research. Apply now ➡️ www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...

Fully-funded 4-year PhD Opportunities available at the @crick.ac.uk , including a project in our lab on human #embryomodels Feel free to share with anyone interested, and apply through the online portal before 5th November! 👏 www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...

Marvellous send off for @amartinezarias.bsky.social ‘s lab, perfectly located in Gaudi’s La Pedrera. I took no pictures as I was too busy hugging old friends, but the organisers incl @dias-andre.bsky.social pulled off something rly special. Community in science is the real joy of the work we do! 💕

Do you have friends with questions about fertility? Egg freezing? Embryo research? IVF? Stem Cells? If you're UK-based this Friday, the BBC are hosting a Question of Science and tickets are still available. PLUS you can submit a question in advance to ask the panelists 🎤 shorturl.at/BCTW7

A Question of Science | What's the future of fertility?

A new podcast produced for the Crick by BBC Studios Science Unit.

crick.ac.uk

Thanks @cellysally.bsky.social ! It's shaping up to be a great meeting (no pun intended...) so I'm looking forward to it ☺️

Sally Lowell@cellysally.bsky.social · last yr.

Speaker update for our Generative Biology workshop: we are delighted to have @nmoris.bsky.social join us. See full list of speakers on the attached flyer or on our website. Apply by 15th August. Places available for short talks. royalsociety.org/science-even...

Fascinating story-telling on embryo research from the @nytimes.com "what once grew or failed to grow unseen is out in the open, under examination, up for debate" www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Opinion | Human Embryo Research: What Time Limit Should We Set?

For decades, scientists have abided by a 14-day boundary on their work. Now science can do more. But should it?

nytimes.com

🧫Looking for a PhD to start Autumn 2025? We're recruiting! 🧪 The project will focus on using #embryomodels to explore #development & could cover a range of specific questions. Please RT! 🙏 Apply via the portal, and get more details here: www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...

Here is the 2025 embryo alphabet from alligator to zebrafish. Developmental biology is stunning & leads to important discoveries for human medicine. @socdevbio.bsky.social

The Y chromosome is critical for sex determination, but what do the genes on the Y actually DO? And how is this important for spermatogenesis? Tour-de-force paper from our colleagues @lab-turner.bsky.social ! 👏https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ads6495

Systematic identification of Y-chromosome gene functions in mouse spermatogenesis

The mammalian Y chromosome is essential for male fertility, but which Y genes regulate spermatogenesis is unresolved. We addressed this by generating 13 Y-deletant mouse models. In Eif2s3y, Uty, and Z...

science.org

Have you ever wondered how your back formed? The human embryo makes a neural tube (future spinal cord) and somites (trunk muscle/bone) from ~d20. They’re formed at the same time and place, so we used human Trunk-like Structures (hTLS) to investigate their ‘co-development’… (1/7)

@mrc-lms.bsky.social is hiring! Are you looking to start your own research group? Come & join us! Fantastic research, wonderful facilities & super supportive colleagues. Deadline 13th Jan. Get on it! lms.mrc.ac.uk/work/vacanci...

Programme Leader Track - MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences

Programme Leader Track appointments are an open-ended contract, which comprises a six-year advanced career development scheme after which you will be considered for promotion to Programme Leader.

lms.mrc.ac.uk

📣 Please share: We’re hiring a tenure-track Group Leader in Multicellular Systems to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving the formation, maintenance, or destabilization of tissues, organs and organisms. Apply at: www.fmi.ch/education-ca...

For the dev bio crowd : there is a call for junior group leader at Institut Pasteur in Paris and one of the axis covered is related to development. Come and join us in this exciting place and become one of our colleague @devstempasteur.bsky.social Please RT !! research.pasteur.fr/fr/call/call...