Anita Meier
@anitafmeier.bsky.social
Virologist at ETHZ sharing my fascination for viruses
Some of the weirdest viruses: Multipartite viruses have segmented genomes that are enclosed in different capsids, which are independently transmitted.
All segments have to meet in the same host cell for complementation. The evolutionary benefit for this lifestyle is unclear.
All segments have to meet in the same host cell for complementation. The evolutionary benefit for this lifestyle is unclear.
December 2, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Some of the weirdest viruses: Multipartite viruses have segmented genomes that are enclosed in different capsids, which are independently transmitted.
All segments have to meet in the same host cell for complementation. The evolutionary benefit for this lifestyle is unclear.
All segments have to meet in the same host cell for complementation. The evolutionary benefit for this lifestyle is unclear.
Zika virus induces nanotube formation 👾 in the host cell to facilitate viral spread.
ZIKV even uses them to acquire mitochondria from neighbouring uninfected cells!
ZIKV even uses them to acquire mitochondria from neighbouring uninfected cells!
November 11, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Zika virus induces nanotube formation 👾 in the host cell to facilitate viral spread.
ZIKV even uses them to acquire mitochondria from neighbouring uninfected cells!
ZIKV even uses them to acquire mitochondria from neighbouring uninfected cells!
Epstein-Barr virus encodes a protein called EBNA1, which physically tethers 🤝 the viral DNA to the host chromosome so it doesn't get lost during mitosis.
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
August 14, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Epstein-Barr virus encodes a protein called EBNA1, which physically tethers 🤝 the viral DNA to the host chromosome so it doesn't get lost during mitosis.
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Reposted by Anita Meier
💥 We have 3 positions open in my lab in Basel, Switzerland🇨🇭:
#nanopores #smFRET #biomolecular #dynamics #singleMolecules
We’re looking for talented & ambitious new colleagues enthusiastic about biomolecular dynamics & single-molecule tech.
Please share broadly, thank you!🤝
schmid.chemie.unibas.ch
#nanopores #smFRET #biomolecular #dynamics #singleMolecules
We’re looking for talented & ambitious new colleagues enthusiastic about biomolecular dynamics & single-molecule tech.
Please share broadly, thank you!🤝
schmid.chemie.unibas.ch
Home | Research Group Schmid | University of Basel
schmid.chemie.unibas.ch
July 31, 2025 at 2:34 PM
💥 We have 3 positions open in my lab in Basel, Switzerland🇨🇭:
#nanopores #smFRET #biomolecular #dynamics #singleMolecules
We’re looking for talented & ambitious new colleagues enthusiastic about biomolecular dynamics & single-molecule tech.
Please share broadly, thank you!🤝
schmid.chemie.unibas.ch
#nanopores #smFRET #biomolecular #dynamics #singleMolecules
We’re looking for talented & ambitious new colleagues enthusiastic about biomolecular dynamics & single-molecule tech.
Please share broadly, thank you!🤝
schmid.chemie.unibas.ch
Reposted by Anita Meier
Application deadline for up to 5 @mrc-lms.bsky.social postdoc positions in developmental epigenetics closes soon - don’t miss out! Positions across both experimental and computational projects. Come and join our fantastic team science community!
Interested in developmental epigenetics? So are we! Apply now to join us for your postdoc!
Multiple positions across multiple groups @mrc-lms.bsky.social
Projects spanning germline demethylation, gene regulation, genome architecture in development & disease 👇👇
lms.mrc.ac.uk/work/vacanci...
Multiple positions across multiple groups @mrc-lms.bsky.social
Projects spanning germline demethylation, gene regulation, genome architecture in development & disease 👇👇
lms.mrc.ac.uk/work/vacanci...
MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientists x 5 - MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences
Applications are now open for up to five postdoctoral positions in the area of developmental epigenetics.
lms.mrc.ac.uk
August 1, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Application deadline for up to 5 @mrc-lms.bsky.social postdoc positions in developmental epigenetics closes soon - don’t miss out! Positions across both experimental and computational projects. Come and join our fantastic team science community!
Don't forget to sign up to reserve your spot!
🍿🥂🍪Signing up now will also ensure that we order enough drinks and snacks!
🍿🥂🍪Signing up now will also ensure that we order enough drinks and snacks!
💥Our next AWA event is all about networking, mentorship and how to do it in a way that is right for you.😌
Sign up and come along. Everyone from Imperial/ MRC welcome! Limited spaces available, drinks and snacks included 🥂🧀
Sign up and come along. Everyone from Imperial/ MRC welcome! Limited spaces available, drinks and snacks included 🥂🧀
🌟 The next event of the Academic Women Association (AWA) is happening!
Registration and details here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/academic-w...
Registration and details here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/academic-w...
June 27, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Don't forget to sign up to reserve your spot!
🍿🥂🍪Signing up now will also ensure that we order enough drinks and snacks!
🍿🥂🍪Signing up now will also ensure that we order enough drinks and snacks!
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infections dramatically change the architecture of the host nucleus. HSV-1 specifically recruits certain host factors (e.g. RNAPII) to promote its replication.
HSV-1 actively rewires the human genome!
😲Look at how the host genome gets squeezed!!
HSV-1 actively rewires the human genome!
😲Look at how the host genome gets squeezed!!
June 27, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infections dramatically change the architecture of the host nucleus. HSV-1 specifically recruits certain host factors (e.g. RNAPII) to promote its replication.
HSV-1 actively rewires the human genome!
😲Look at how the host genome gets squeezed!!
HSV-1 actively rewires the human genome!
😲Look at how the host genome gets squeezed!!
Reposted by Anita Meier
We have a 3-year funded postdoc position to work on structures of #amyloid filaments. If you are an expert in protein biochemistry, structural biology or #cryoEM / #cryoET, this could be for you! Feel free to email me with any questions. Come join us! 🤩
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Postdoctoral Scientist - Structural Studies - Dr Sjors Scheres - LMB 2640 - Cambridgeshire job with MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) | 12840844
Postdoctoral Scientist Starting Salary: £41,344 Fixed term: 3 years MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK We are looking for a postdoc...
www.nature.com
June 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
We have a 3-year funded postdoc position to work on structures of #amyloid filaments. If you are an expert in protein biochemistry, structural biology or #cryoEM / #cryoET, this could be for you! Feel free to email me with any questions. Come join us! 🤩
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
www.nature.com/naturecareer...
Reposted by Anita Meier
#JobAlert! We have an opening for a postdoctoral scientist in #CancerMetabolism in my lab @mrc-lms.bsky.social. If you're interested in the role of metabolism in drug response and resistance in cancer, and would like to work in a fun and friendly team, check it out: lms.mrc.ac.uk/work/vacanci...
MRC Postdoctoral Research Scientist - MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences
The MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) is a biomedical research institute where scientists and clinicians collaborate to advance the understanding of biology and its application to medicine. LMS...
lms.mrc.ac.uk
June 25, 2025 at 8:57 AM
#JobAlert! We have an opening for a postdoctoral scientist in #CancerMetabolism in my lab @mrc-lms.bsky.social. If you're interested in the role of metabolism in drug response and resistance in cancer, and would like to work in a fun and friendly team, check it out: lms.mrc.ac.uk/work/vacanci...
💥Our next AWA event is all about networking, mentorship and how to do it in a way that is right for you.😌
Sign up and come along. Everyone from Imperial/ MRC welcome! Limited spaces available, drinks and snacks included 🥂🧀
Sign up and come along. Everyone from Imperial/ MRC welcome! Limited spaces available, drinks and snacks included 🥂🧀
🌟 The next event of the Academic Women Association (AWA) is happening!
Registration and details here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/academic-w...
Registration and details here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/academic-w...
June 18, 2025 at 9:48 AM
💥Our next AWA event is all about networking, mentorship and how to do it in a way that is right for you.😌
Sign up and come along. Everyone from Imperial/ MRC welcome! Limited spaces available, drinks and snacks included 🥂🧀
Sign up and come along. Everyone from Imperial/ MRC welcome! Limited spaces available, drinks and snacks included 🥂🧀
Reposted by Anita Meier
🌟 The next event of the Academic Women Association (AWA) is happening!
Registration and details here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/academic-w...
Registration and details here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/academic-w...
June 18, 2025 at 9:35 AM
🌟 The next event of the Academic Women Association (AWA) is happening!
Registration and details here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/academic-w...
Registration and details here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/academic-w...
This is a tupanvirus, ~450nm in diameter ~1.2um in length, clearly one of the giant viruses. It encodes for the most complete translational machinery found in viruses with only the ribosome lacking. Most (non-giant) viruses don't encode any components required for translation.
It's so fluffy!! 😱
It's so fluffy!! 😱
June 14, 2025 at 9:02 PM
This is a tupanvirus, ~450nm in diameter ~1.2um in length, clearly one of the giant viruses. It encodes for the most complete translational machinery found in viruses with only the ribosome lacking. Most (non-giant) viruses don't encode any components required for translation.
It's so fluffy!! 😱
It's so fluffy!! 😱
Blows my mind 🤯 that it is possible to capture the structural dynamics of viral capsid contraction by thawing and re-freezing the ice within the electron microscope!
Anyone interested in microsecond time-resolved cryo-EM should check out this paper:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Anyone interested in microsecond time-resolved cryo-EM should check out this paper:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
June 11, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Blows my mind 🤯 that it is possible to capture the structural dynamics of viral capsid contraction by thawing and re-freezing the ice within the electron microscope!
Anyone interested in microsecond time-resolved cryo-EM should check out this paper:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Anyone interested in microsecond time-resolved cryo-EM should check out this paper:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Weird virus fact:
Bacteriophage 29 (Phi29) uses RNA to help package genomic DNA 🤯. This so-called packaging RNA (pRNA) is an essential part of the packaging motor, which is part of the newly formed viral capsid.
Check out the pRNA (pink) in the beautiful structure:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Bacteriophage 29 (Phi29) uses RNA to help package genomic DNA 🤯. This so-called packaging RNA (pRNA) is an essential part of the packaging motor, which is part of the newly formed viral capsid.
Check out the pRNA (pink) in the beautiful structure:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
May 7, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Weird virus fact:
Bacteriophage 29 (Phi29) uses RNA to help package genomic DNA 🤯. This so-called packaging RNA (pRNA) is an essential part of the packaging motor, which is part of the newly formed viral capsid.
Check out the pRNA (pink) in the beautiful structure:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Bacteriophage 29 (Phi29) uses RNA to help package genomic DNA 🤯. This so-called packaging RNA (pRNA) is an essential part of the packaging motor, which is part of the newly formed viral capsid.
Check out the pRNA (pink) in the beautiful structure:
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Weird virus fact: Papillomaviruses can make their host cell immortal 🧟♂️ by activating telomerase (together with other mechanisms).
The viral protein E6 regulates and directly interacts with hTERT and telomeric DNA.
The viral protein E6 regulates and directly interacts with hTERT and telomeric DNA.
May 6, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Weird virus fact: Papillomaviruses can make their host cell immortal 🧟♂️ by activating telomerase (together with other mechanisms).
The viral protein E6 regulates and directly interacts with hTERT and telomeric DNA.
The viral protein E6 regulates and directly interacts with hTERT and telomeric DNA.
Weird virus fact:
Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) can only replicate if the same host cell is infected with a helper virus. AAV will remain in the host cell (latently infecting it) until a helper virus such as HSV or AdV comes along.
www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/12...
Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) can only replicate if the same host cell is infected with a helper virus. AAV will remain in the host cell (latently infecting it) until a helper virus such as HSV or AdV comes along.
www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/12...
April 25, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Weird virus fact:
Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) can only replicate if the same host cell is infected with a helper virus. AAV will remain in the host cell (latently infecting it) until a helper virus such as HSV or AdV comes along.
www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/12...
Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) can only replicate if the same host cell is infected with a helper virus. AAV will remain in the host cell (latently infecting it) until a helper virus such as HSV or AdV comes along.
www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/12...
Weird virus fact:
HIV-1 and other retroviruses hijack cellular tRNA and use it as primer to initiate reverse transcription of their RNA genome.
They exploit the same tRNA terminal 3′-OH group used by the host for aminoacylation and peptidyl transfer.
HIV-1 and other retroviruses hijack cellular tRNA and use it as primer to initiate reverse transcription of their RNA genome.
They exploit the same tRNA terminal 3′-OH group used by the host for aminoacylation and peptidyl transfer.
April 13, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Weird virus fact:
HIV-1 and other retroviruses hijack cellular tRNA and use it as primer to initiate reverse transcription of their RNA genome.
They exploit the same tRNA terminal 3′-OH group used by the host for aminoacylation and peptidyl transfer.
HIV-1 and other retroviruses hijack cellular tRNA and use it as primer to initiate reverse transcription of their RNA genome.
They exploit the same tRNA terminal 3′-OH group used by the host for aminoacylation and peptidyl transfer.
Weird virus fact:
In order to overcome the end replication problem, adenovirus DNA replication starts at a protein, rather than an RNA primer. The viral polymerase couples the first nucleotide (dCTP) to a serine on the terminal protein, which assures full replication by a jump-back mechanism. 😎
In order to overcome the end replication problem, adenovirus DNA replication starts at a protein, rather than an RNA primer. The viral polymerase couples the first nucleotide (dCTP) to a serine on the terminal protein, which assures full replication by a jump-back mechanism. 😎
April 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Weird virus fact:
In order to overcome the end replication problem, adenovirus DNA replication starts at a protein, rather than an RNA primer. The viral polymerase couples the first nucleotide (dCTP) to a serine on the terminal protein, which assures full replication by a jump-back mechanism. 😎
In order to overcome the end replication problem, adenovirus DNA replication starts at a protein, rather than an RNA primer. The viral polymerase couples the first nucleotide (dCTP) to a serine on the terminal protein, which assures full replication by a jump-back mechanism. 😎
I fear the consequences of this move...
The administration of US President Donald Trump has hollowed out one of the federal offices aimed at ending the nation’s HIV epidemic. The move comes as the administration has also cut hundreds of grants funding HIV and AIDS research.
https://go.nature.com/3FN700Z
https://go.nature.com/3FN700Z
Trump team guts AIDS-eradication programme and slashes HIV research grants
More than 200 federal grants for research related to HIV and AIDS have been abruptly terminated in the past few weeks.
go.nature.com
April 2, 2025 at 5:37 AM
I fear the consequences of this move...
Weird virus fact: The SV40 polyomavirus dsDNA genome is wrapped around cellular histones within the viral capsid. Most #viruses don't contain histones in their virions.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Image credit: viralzone.expasy.org/148
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Image credit: viralzone.expasy.org/148
March 20, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Weird virus fact: The SV40 polyomavirus dsDNA genome is wrapped around cellular histones within the viral capsid. Most #viruses don't contain histones in their virions.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Image credit: viralzone.expasy.org/148
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Image credit: viralzone.expasy.org/148
Great opportunity for people at Imperial/ LMS too meet and network. Sign up if interested!
Academic Women Association (AWA) presents:
⭐Coffee with Professor Lesley Cohen⭐
📅 When: Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 2-3.30 pm
📍 Where: 7th floor seminar room, LMS building, Hammersmith Campus, W12 0HS
💡Hear about what Imperial is doing to support women
Register here: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
⭐Coffee with Professor Lesley Cohen⭐
📅 When: Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 2-3.30 pm
📍 Where: 7th floor seminar room, LMS building, Hammersmith Campus, W12 0HS
💡Hear about what Imperial is doing to support women
Register here: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
March 18, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Great opportunity for people at Imperial/ LMS too meet and network. Sign up if interested!
Weird virus fact:
Herpesvirus (HSV-1) assimilates the cellular motor kinesin-1 to travel within the cell. HSV-1 takes it up into the tegument to use it for future infection: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Herpesvirus (HSV-1) assimilates the cellular motor kinesin-1 to travel within the cell. HSV-1 takes it up into the tegument to use it for future infection: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
March 16, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Weird virus fact:
Herpesvirus (HSV-1) assimilates the cellular motor kinesin-1 to travel within the cell. HSV-1 takes it up into the tegument to use it for future infection: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Herpesvirus (HSV-1) assimilates the cellular motor kinesin-1 to travel within the cell. HSV-1 takes it up into the tegument to use it for future infection: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Anita Meier
There’s still time to apply to the LMB’s Rising Talent Fellowship for Black heritage scientists.
With this 3-year postdoc position we want to enable scientists of Black heritage to learn & grow their experience.
Application deadline: 23 March
More info: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/recruitment/...
With this 3-year postdoc position we want to enable scientists of Black heritage to learn & grow their experience.
Application deadline: 23 March
More info: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/recruitment/...
March 14, 2025 at 9:55 AM
There’s still time to apply to the LMB’s Rising Talent Fellowship for Black heritage scientists.
With this 3-year postdoc position we want to enable scientists of Black heritage to learn & grow their experience.
Application deadline: 23 March
More info: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/recruitment/...
With this 3-year postdoc position we want to enable scientists of Black heritage to learn & grow their experience.
Application deadline: 23 March
More info: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/recruitment/...
Weird virus fact:
Influenzaviruses chop off the 5'-mRNA cap of nascent host mRNA and use it for their own mRNA. This is called cap-snatching
Further reading: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Influenzaviruses chop off the 5'-mRNA cap of nascent host mRNA and use it for their own mRNA. This is called cap-snatching
Further reading: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Insight into Influenza: A Virus Cap-Snatching
The influenza A virus (IAV) genome consists of eight single-stranded RNA segments. Each segment is associated with a protein complex, with the 3′ and 5′ ends bound to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
March 11, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Weird virus fact:
Influenzaviruses chop off the 5'-mRNA cap of nascent host mRNA and use it for their own mRNA. This is called cap-snatching
Further reading: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Influenzaviruses chop off the 5'-mRNA cap of nascent host mRNA and use it for their own mRNA. This is called cap-snatching
Further reading: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Reposted by Anita Meier
Anyone looking for a PhD: the second deadline of the Yorkshire DTP closes this Friday, the 14th. Get in touch asap if you are interested in working with me on condensin complexes!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Developing Imaging Solutions to Study the Dynamics of Human Condensin I at University of Sheffield on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Developing Imaging Solutions to Study the Dynamics of Human Condensin I at University of Sheffield, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
March 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Anyone looking for a PhD: the second deadline of the Yorkshire DTP closes this Friday, the 14th. Get in touch asap if you are interested in working with me on condensin complexes!
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...