Grocott Lab
@grocottlab.bsky.social
Dr Tim Grocott's research group, University of East Anglia UK. 🐣 embryology & new adventures in human development via stem cells. Modelling in silico/vitro. Fascinated by signalling networks, patterning, all things early development and the eye.
Pinned
Grocott Lab
@grocottlab.bsky.social
· Mar 6
Need to electroporate and/or live image avian embryos? We hope our new preprint will help you get started:
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Open EGGbox: an open-source 3D-printed embryonic Gallus gallus toolbox for electroporation and culture/live imaging of avian embryos ex ovo
🧪🐣 #devbio
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Open EGGbox: an open-source 3D-printed embryonic Gallus gallus toolbox for electroporation and culture/live imaging of avian embryos ex ovo
🧪🐣 #devbio
Reposted by Grocott Lab
My lab at the JIC is recruiting 3 PDRA:
🔹 Bioinformatics / AI
🔹 Molecular Biology / Genetics
🔹 Proteomics
Programme funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
📅 Closing date: 27 February
Apply via JIC website:
www.jic.ac.uk/vacancies/
Please share with outstanding candidates. 🙏
🔹 Bioinformatics / AI
🔹 Molecular Biology / Genetics
🔹 Proteomics
Programme funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
📅 Closing date: 27 February
Apply via JIC website:
www.jic.ac.uk/vacancies/
Please share with outstanding candidates. 🙏
Postdoctoral Researcher (Charpentier Group) | John Innes Centre
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Charpentier Group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field of plant calcium signalling.
www.jic.ac.uk
February 11, 2026 at 8:46 AM
My lab at the JIC is recruiting 3 PDRA:
🔹 Bioinformatics / AI
🔹 Molecular Biology / Genetics
🔹 Proteomics
Programme funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
📅 Closing date: 27 February
Apply via JIC website:
www.jic.ac.uk/vacancies/
Please share with outstanding candidates. 🙏
🔹 Bioinformatics / AI
🔹 Molecular Biology / Genetics
🔹 Proteomics
Programme funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
📅 Closing date: 27 February
Apply via JIC website:
www.jic.ac.uk/vacancies/
Please share with outstanding candidates. 🙏
Reposted by Grocott Lab
I am SO incredibly excited to announce the launch of a global list of Inspiring Black Scientists. You can use this list to nominate and connect with researchers. Please share and join us in highlighting these outstanding scientists for #BlackHistoryMonth and beyond!
www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
February 5, 2026 at 5:36 PM
I am SO incredibly excited to announce the launch of a global list of Inspiring Black Scientists. You can use this list to nominate and connect with researchers. Please share and join us in highlighting these outstanding scientists for #BlackHistoryMonth and beyond!
www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
www.wiley.com/en-us/resear...
Reposted by Grocott Lab
The frustrating thing about working with people who do not understand the scientific method is when they want you to prove their hypothesis... What they want to believe.
The way science *SHOULD WORK* is that you form a hypothesis and then work like hell to try and break that hypothesis.
The way science *SHOULD WORK* is that you form a hypothesis and then work like hell to try and break that hypothesis.
February 4, 2026 at 8:45 PM
The frustrating thing about working with people who do not understand the scientific method is when they want you to prove their hypothesis... What they want to believe.
The way science *SHOULD WORK* is that you form a hypothesis and then work like hell to try and break that hypothesis.
The way science *SHOULD WORK* is that you form a hypothesis and then work like hell to try and break that hypothesis.
Reposted by Grocott Lab
The University of Sheffield is hiring:
Research Associate in Developmental Biology
Research Associate in Developmental Biology
February 2, 2026 at 9:59 PM
The University of Sheffield is hiring:
Research Associate in Developmental Biology
Research Associate in Developmental Biology
Reposted by Grocott Lab
This developing quail embryo looks like it's thinking fiery thoughts for #FluorescenceFriday 🐣🔥🧪. Imaged by the fantastic @vanderspuy.bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 3:34 AM
This developing quail embryo looks like it's thinking fiery thoughts for #FluorescenceFriday 🐣🔥🧪. Imaged by the fantastic @vanderspuy.bsky.social
Reposted by Grocott Lab
Reposted by Grocott Lab
Excited to share our recent publication in which we identify new roles for neural crest cells in directing heart development, and new pathological mechanisms underpinning congenital heart disease!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Neural crest cell-derived DKK1 and NEDD4 modulate Wnt signalling in the second heart field to orchestrate outflow tract development - Nature Communications
Neural crest cells have been implicated in heart development, yet the mechanisms by which they act have remained elusive. Here, the authors show neural crest cells modulate Wnt signalling in cardiac p...
www.nature.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Excited to share our recent publication in which we identify new roles for neural crest cells in directing heart development, and new pathological mechanisms underpinning congenital heart disease!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Grocott Lab
These are one of the many ways @biologists.bsky.social and its flagship journals support our community. Take advantage of them and then consider publishing with there, rather than in the fifth step-down journal of the robber barons
Our journals @dev-journal.bsky.social, @jcellsci.bsky.social & @jexpbiol.bsky.social offer Travelling Fellowships of up to £3,000 to graduate students and post-doctoral researchers wishing to make collaborative visits to other laboratories. Apply by 6 February 2026.
biologists.com/grants/trave...
biologists.com/grants/trave...
January 23, 2026 at 12:17 PM
These are one of the many ways @biologists.bsky.social and its flagship journals support our community. Take advantage of them and then consider publishing with there, rather than in the fifth step-down journal of the robber barons
Reposted by Grocott Lab
Job alert🚨I am advertising a 2-year postdoctoral position to work on the mathematics of plant morphogenesis @mpipz.bsky.social. Candidates with interests in mathematical modelling, mechanics, or biophysics are strongly encouraged to apply. 🌱Reposts are appreciated!
jobs.mpipz.mpg.de/jobposting/4...
jobs.mpipz.mpg.de/jobposting/4...
January 22, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Job alert🚨I am advertising a 2-year postdoctoral position to work on the mathematics of plant morphogenesis @mpipz.bsky.social. Candidates with interests in mathematical modelling, mechanics, or biophysics are strongly encouraged to apply. 🌱Reposts are appreciated!
jobs.mpipz.mpg.de/jobposting/4...
jobs.mpipz.mpg.de/jobposting/4...
Reposted by Grocott Lab
#DBfeature 🐣
With the rise of omics data, identifying tissue-specific enhancers is easier than ever—but validation is key. Ruth M. Williams discusses why the chicken embryo is the ideal in vivo sandbox for testing human regulatory elements in our recent review.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
With the rise of omics data, identifying tissue-specific enhancers is easier than ever—but validation is key. Ruth M. Williams discusses why the chicken embryo is the ideal in vivo sandbox for testing human regulatory elements in our recent review.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
January 22, 2026 at 2:53 PM
#DBfeature 🐣
With the rise of omics data, identifying tissue-specific enhancers is easier than ever—but validation is key. Ruth M. Williams discusses why the chicken embryo is the ideal in vivo sandbox for testing human regulatory elements in our recent review.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
With the rise of omics data, identifying tissue-specific enhancers is easier than ever—but validation is key. Ruth M. Williams discusses why the chicken embryo is the ideal in vivo sandbox for testing human regulatory elements in our recent review.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Grocott Lab
The amount of truly stunning retinal research in avians coming out of Europe lately is making me jealous.
Such cooooool work.
Such cooooool work.
Birds have a thick retina devoid of blood vessels - so how do they ensure sufficient oxygen availability?
They don't - neurons rely on glycolysis, metabolizing glucose released from the pecten.
Insane new study that includes comparative data on lizards and crocs.🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
They don't - neurons rely on glycolysis, metabolizing glucose released from the pecten.
Insane new study that includes comparative data on lizards and crocs.🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Oxygen-free metabolism in the bird inner retina supported by the pecten - Nature
While the photoreceptor outer segments in the bird outer retina have access to oxygen, the inner retina operates under chronic anoxia, supported by anaerobic glycolysis in the retinal neurons.
www.nature.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:27 PM
The amount of truly stunning retinal research in avians coming out of Europe lately is making me jealous.
Such cooooool work.
Such cooooool work.
Reposted by Grocott Lab
I learned dynamical systems theory for the embryos, I learned PDEs for the embryos, I’ll learn stat mech for the embryos, I learned Julia for the embryos, might need to learn Java for the embryos … 80% of what I read is for the embryos …
Developing original research for a paper might be small potatoes for some people but it’s been challenging for me! it’s the first time ive ever driven a first author project, & I am mainly getting through it (the learning skills, learning math, reading) bc thinking about it is so interesting to me!
January 17, 2026 at 1:53 AM
I learned dynamical systems theory for the embryos, I learned PDEs for the embryos, I’ll learn stat mech for the embryos, I learned Julia for the embryos, might need to learn Java for the embryos … 80% of what I read is for the embryos …
Reposted by Grocott Lab
mSumireF a Monomeric Violet Fluorescent Protein:
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
January 8, 2026 at 6:15 PM
mSumireF a Monomeric Violet Fluorescent Protein:
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Grocott Lab
There is still over a week left to apply.
Please send your documents to [email protected]
Please send your documents to [email protected]
Join us to study developmental cell biology with a focus on cell migration and morphogenesis.
More info about our research:
www.bischofflab.com
Job posting and application details:
focalplane.biologists.com/cell-biology...
#Science #CellBio #DevBio #AcademicJobs #PhDJobs #PhDPosition #Drosophila
More info about our research:
www.bischofflab.com
Job posting and application details:
focalplane.biologists.com/cell-biology...
#Science #CellBio #DevBio #AcademicJobs #PhDJobs #PhDPosition #Drosophila
January 6, 2026 at 12:43 PM
There is still over a week left to apply.
Please send your documents to [email protected]
Please send your documents to [email protected]
Reposted by Grocott Lab
Throughout this work, we found it really helpful to organize our thinking along 'Marr's three levels of analysis':
1. the computational problem
2. the algorithmic solution
3. biophysical implementation
Check out our review laying out this conceptual framework here: buff.ly/NE4JEOA
1. the computational problem
2. the algorithmic solution
3. biophysical implementation
Check out our review laying out this conceptual framework here: buff.ly/NE4JEOA
Marr's three levels for embryonic development: information, dynamical systems, gene networks
Developmental patterning comprises processes that range from purely instructed, where external signals specify cell fates, to fully self-organized, where spatial patterns emerge autonomously through…
arxiv.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Throughout this work, we found it really helpful to organize our thinking along 'Marr's three levels of analysis':
1. the computational problem
2. the algorithmic solution
3. biophysical implementation
Check out our review laying out this conceptual framework here: buff.ly/NE4JEOA
1. the computational problem
2. the algorithmic solution
3. biophysical implementation
Check out our review laying out this conceptual framework here: buff.ly/NE4JEOA
Reposted by Grocott Lab
How can cells use information from neighboring cells to improve the spatial precision of morphogen patterns? 🤔
We show that cells can gain positional information by "talking" to their neighbors - how much depends critically on spatial correlations of the patterns.
buff.ly/w56OUJT
We show that cells can gain positional information by "talking" to their neighbors - how much depends critically on spatial correlations of the patterns.
buff.ly/w56OUJT
January 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM
How can cells use information from neighboring cells to improve the spatial precision of morphogen patterns? 🤔
We show that cells can gain positional information by "talking" to their neighbors - how much depends critically on spatial correlations of the patterns.
buff.ly/w56OUJT
We show that cells can gain positional information by "talking" to their neighbors - how much depends critically on spatial correlations of the patterns.
buff.ly/w56OUJT
Reposted by Grocott Lab
@devdynamics.bsky.social Welcome to Bluesky Developmental Dynamics, added to the Developmental Biology starter pack II.
You can also patch in to more #DevBio folks by checking out the first Developmental Biology start pack here:
go.bsky.app/M5AgJhn
You can also patch in to more #DevBio folks by checking out the first Developmental Biology start pack here:
go.bsky.app/M5AgJhn
November 16, 2024 at 11:20 PM
@devdynamics.bsky.social Welcome to Bluesky Developmental Dynamics, added to the Developmental Biology starter pack II.
You can also patch in to more #DevBio folks by checking out the first Developmental Biology start pack here:
go.bsky.app/M5AgJhn
You can also patch in to more #DevBio folks by checking out the first Developmental Biology start pack here:
go.bsky.app/M5AgJhn
Reposted by Grocott Lab
Morphogenesis & Organogenesis!
Part 1 (full) in the comments 👇
Comment if you'd like to be added (regardless of age or career stage!)
Please post your own biology-related starter packs using #BioStarterPacks
🧬🔬🪰🐟🐁🌱
Part 1 (full) in the comments 👇
Comment if you'd like to be added (regardless of age or career stage!)
Please post your own biology-related starter packs using #BioStarterPacks
🧬🔬🪰🐟🐁🌱
June 26, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Morphogenesis & Organogenesis!
Part 1 (full) in the comments 👇
Comment if you'd like to be added (regardless of age or career stage!)
Please post your own biology-related starter packs using #BioStarterPacks
🧬🔬🪰🐟🐁🌱
Part 1 (full) in the comments 👇
Comment if you'd like to be added (regardless of age or career stage!)
Please post your own biology-related starter packs using #BioStarterPacks
🧬🔬🪰🐟🐁🌱
Reposted by Grocott Lab
“This work highlights how dynamical systems theory and nonequilibrium thermodynamics provide powerful analytical techniques to study biological complexity.”
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
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iopscience.iop.org
December 21, 2025 at 3:40 AM
“This work highlights how dynamical systems theory and nonequilibrium thermodynamics provide powerful analytical techniques to study biological complexity.”
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Reposted by Grocott Lab
This is now a published peer-reviewed paper, in which we show, for the first time (to my knowledge) an interaction and co-operation between SALL4 and BAF (SWI/SNF). Together, they induce neural crest fate early on, by priming thousands of enhancers in the neuroectoderm.
doi.org/10.1242/dev....
doi.org/10.1242/dev....
December 19, 2025 at 12:48 PM
This is now a published peer-reviewed paper, in which we show, for the first time (to my knowledge) an interaction and co-operation between SALL4 and BAF (SWI/SNF). Together, they induce neural crest fate early on, by priming thousands of enhancers in the neuroectoderm.
doi.org/10.1242/dev....
doi.org/10.1242/dev....
Reposted by Grocott Lab
#DBfeature 🐣
Unravelling early hematoendothelial development through the chick model: Insights and future perspectives
by Lydia Pouncey, Gi Fay Mok @gifaymok.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Unravelling early hematoendothelial development through the chick model: Insights and future perspectives
by Lydia Pouncey, Gi Fay Mok @gifaymok.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
December 18, 2025 at 2:53 PM
#DBfeature 🐣
Unravelling early hematoendothelial development through the chick model: Insights and future perspectives
by Lydia Pouncey, Gi Fay Mok @gifaymok.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Unravelling early hematoendothelial development through the chick model: Insights and future perspectives
by Lydia Pouncey, Gi Fay Mok @gifaymok.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Grocott Lab
I've spent all day struggling to write a single page of a popular science article. I bang away at a word processor; give up; start diagramming on paper. Take some notes; draft a few sentences in pen; return to the computer...and very slowly I figure out what I was trying to say in the first place.
December 16, 2025 at 11:41 PM
I've spent all day struggling to write a single page of a popular science article. I bang away at a word processor; give up; start diagramming on paper. Take some notes; draft a few sentences in pen; return to the computer...and very slowly I figure out what I was trying to say in the first place.
Reposted by Grocott Lab
Thank goodness for that. Something that shouldn’t have happened, happened. And now it’s set to unhappen. Great for students, great for research in general and great for Britain.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme
Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Thank goodness for that. Something that shouldn’t have happened, happened. And now it’s set to unhappen. Great for students, great for research in general and great for Britain.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Grocott Lab
Please share 📢
We have a Postdoc position available here @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social to develop innovative genetic control strategies for insect agricultural pests in collaboration with @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
vacancies.uea.ac.uk/vacancies/19...
We have a Postdoc position available here @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social to develop innovative genetic control strategies for insect agricultural pests in collaboration with @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
vacancies.uea.ac.uk/vacancies/19...
December 15, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Please share 📢
We have a Postdoc position available here @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social to develop innovative genetic control strategies for insect agricultural pests in collaboration with @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
vacancies.uea.ac.uk/vacancies/19...
We have a Postdoc position available here @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social to develop innovative genetic control strategies for insect agricultural pests in collaboration with @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social
vacancies.uea.ac.uk/vacancies/19...
Reposted by Grocott Lab
Hello, here is a review I wrote about how cells sometimes try to synchronise with surrounding cells so that they can do a good job of building tissues during development. It is called "Keeping up with the neighbours"
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#DevBio 🧪
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#DevBio 🧪
Keeping up with the neighbours: local synchronisation of cell fate decisions during development - EMBO Reports
Even before the advent of multicellular life, unicellular creatures would communicate with their neighbours to coordinate their behaviours. Multicellular organisms have the particular challenge of orc...
link.springer.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Hello, here is a review I wrote about how cells sometimes try to synchronise with surrounding cells so that they can do a good job of building tissues during development. It is called "Keeping up with the neighbours"
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#DevBio 🧪
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
#DevBio 🧪