Santos lab
@santoslab.bsky.social
Quantitative stem cell biologist and group leader @TheCrick Institute. Cell decision-making. Cell fate and cell division. @Stanford, @EMBL alumna. ENTP. Mum. Diver.
Pinned
Santos lab
@santoslab.bsky.social
· Jun 5
Drs. Borzo Gharibi, Silvia Santos, and a team at @crick.ac.uk generated an ESC-derived 3D model of the post-gastrulation #amnion.
📄 @cellpress.bsky.social - bit.ly/45bJs0c
🎤 bit.ly/4kE4eKf
📄 @cellpress.bsky.social - bit.ly/45bJs0c
🎤 bit.ly/4kE4eKf
Thank you very much @stemcellpodcast.com for highlighting our work (24:00-32:00) @crick.ac.uk
Reposted by Santos lab
Emergence and Self-organisation across biological scales! I hope you are ready for next year conference! It will be an incredible event April 20-22 2026. The first of many #LakeConference organised by
@ehannezo.bsky.social @alleninstitute.org and James Sharpe @embl.org
@ehannezo.bsky.social @alleninstitute.org and James Sharpe @embl.org
#CellBio community, this one is for you! Applications are open for the #LakeConference on Modeling Life from Cells to Tissues – co-hosted with Circuit Neuroscience Basel!
📆 April 20-22, 2026
📍 Seattle, USA
🔬 All career stages welcomed.
Apply to attend by 12/12: alleninstitute.org/events/aics-...
📆 April 20-22, 2026
📍 Seattle, USA
🔬 All career stages welcomed.
Apply to attend by 12/12: alleninstitute.org/events/aics-...
2026 Lake Conference
Join the Allen Institute for Cell Science and Circuit Neuroscience Basel in Seattle, Washington, April 20–22, 2026, for a 3 day conference, Modeling...
alleninstitute.org
November 26, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Emergence and Self-organisation across biological scales! I hope you are ready for next year conference! It will be an incredible event April 20-22 2026. The first of many #LakeConference organised by
@ehannezo.bsky.social @alleninstitute.org and James Sharpe @embl.org
@ehannezo.bsky.social @alleninstitute.org and James Sharpe @embl.org
Reposted by Santos lab
Check out that spindle 🤩🔥
At 63C, most eukaryotic cells would be busy exploding noisily, forget even trying to divide.
The microbial universe never ceases to astound 😍
Thanks for letting us be a tiny part of this! #ExpandThemAll
At 63C, most eukaryotic cells would be busy exploding noisily, forget even trying to divide.
The microbial universe never ceases to astound 😍
Thanks for letting us be a tiny part of this! #ExpandThemAll
While 𝘝. 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘴 max temp is around 45°C, we found 𝘐. 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 grows up to 63°C with optimal growth at 55-57°C🥵. We showed cellular replication via Ultrastructure Expansion Microscopy at 63°C. The previous limit for euks is 60°C!
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Check out that spindle 🤩🔥
At 63C, most eukaryotic cells would be busy exploding noisily, forget even trying to divide.
The microbial universe never ceases to astound 😍
Thanks for letting us be a tiny part of this! #ExpandThemAll
At 63C, most eukaryotic cells would be busy exploding noisily, forget even trying to divide.
The microbial universe never ceases to astound 😍
Thanks for letting us be a tiny part of this! #ExpandThemAll
Reposted by Santos lab
Ten days left to apply to be a @crick.ac.uk Early Career Group Leader
Closing date 27th November
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Closing date 27th November
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
November 17, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Ten days left to apply to be a @crick.ac.uk Early Career Group Leader
Closing date 27th November
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Closing date 27th November
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Reposted by Santos lab
Crosstalk between tissue mechanics and BMP4 signaling regulates symmetry breaking in human gastrula models
Crosstalk between tissue mechanics and BMP4 signaling regulates symmetry breaking in human gastrula models
Brivanlou and colleagues used optogenetics to spatially control BMP4 expression in human stem cell models across different mechanical regimes. By combining these experiments with mathematical modeling, they dissected how biochemical signals and mechanical forces integrate to initiate symmetry breaking at the onset of gastrulation.
dlvr.it
November 7, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Crosstalk between tissue mechanics and BMP4 signaling regulates symmetry breaking in human gastrula models
Reposted by Santos lab
We have an exciting PhD position in our lab to explore phototropin receptor diversity in Begonia. If you’re interested in plant photobiology and receptor signalling, we’d love to hear from you! Deadline for expressions of interest: 20 December 2025.
November 6, 2025 at 12:36 PM
We have an exciting PhD position in our lab to explore phototropin receptor diversity in Begonia. If you’re interested in plant photobiology and receptor signalling, we’d love to hear from you! Deadline for expressions of interest: 20 December 2025.
We had a blast tonight at the ‘Curious about the Crick’ event showcasing the science in our lab. Lots of enthusiasm and so many interesting questions. Was awesome to share this with my wonderful lab from brainstorming to communicating the science we love. Thank you to @crick.ac.uk for having us
October 21, 2025 at 9:44 PM
We had a blast tonight at the ‘Curious about the Crick’ event showcasing the science in our lab. Lots of enthusiasm and so many interesting questions. Was awesome to share this with my wonderful lab from brainstorming to communicating the science we love. Thank you to @crick.ac.uk for having us
The Crick PhD program is open and there are amazing projects including our lab's. I couldn't recommend enough joining the program: brilliant community and excellent training and mentorship.
Specific project with us will be decided based on your interests.
Apply here www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Specific project with us will be decided based on your interests.
Apply here www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
October 17, 2025 at 5:36 PM
The Crick PhD program is open and there are amazing projects including our lab's. I couldn't recommend enough joining the program: brilliant community and excellent training and mentorship.
Specific project with us will be decided based on your interests.
Apply here www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Specific project with us will be decided based on your interests.
Apply here www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Reposted by Santos lab
new preprint: Ubiquitin is a protein modification linked with degradation but known to regulate other functions. Over 100k ubiquitination sites have been discovered and here we (@julianvangerwen.bsky.social + others) try to prioritize those most critical to the cell www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The functional landscape of the human ubiquitinome
Protein ubiquitination regulates cell biology through diverse avenues, from quality control-linked protein degradation to signaling functions such as modulating protein-protein interactions and enzyme...
www.biorxiv.org
October 9, 2025 at 7:07 AM
new preprint: Ubiquitin is a protein modification linked with degradation but known to regulate other functions. Over 100k ubiquitination sites have been discovered and here we (@julianvangerwen.bsky.social + others) try to prioritize those most critical to the cell www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Santos lab
Many of you know, we lost Béla Novák this year. John Tyson, Francis Barr & I tried to capture his wonderful character & great mind so that those that didn't know him can see what a fantastic person he was.
Thanks to @jcellsci.bsky.social for publishing.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Thanks to @jcellsci.bsky.social for publishing.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Béla Novák (1956–2025) – a legacy of scientific discovery and personal charm
In February 2025, we were shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the death of Béla Novák, Professor in Integrative Systems Biology at the University of Oxford, UK, and a beloved grandfather, father...
journals.biologists.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Many of you know, we lost Béla Novák this year. John Tyson, Francis Barr & I tried to capture his wonderful character & great mind so that those that didn't know him can see what a fantastic person he was.
Thanks to @jcellsci.bsky.social for publishing.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Thanks to @jcellsci.bsky.social for publishing.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Reposted by Santos lab
Opening my lab @crick.ac.uk two years ago has been a privilege, a delight and ultimately the most transformative experience of my sciencific career. Discovery science without boundaries, inspiring colleagues and infinite possibilities. Come join us!
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...
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...
October 9, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Opening my lab @crick.ac.uk two years ago has been a privilege, a delight and ultimately the most transformative experience of my sciencific career. Discovery science without boundaries, inspiring colleagues and infinite possibilities. Come join us!
Reposted by Santos lab
2026 PhD recruitment is now open.
As well as our main PhD recruitment, which is open to all, we are pleased to be offering scholarships for candidates of Black or mixed Black heritage. Learn more and apply on our website:
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
As well as our main PhD recruitment, which is open to all, we are pleased to be offering scholarships for candidates of Black or mixed Black heritage. Learn more and apply on our website:
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
PhD student recruitment
PhD recruitment information.
www.crick.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 3:14 PM
2026 PhD recruitment is now open.
As well as our main PhD recruitment, which is open to all, we are pleased to be offering scholarships for candidates of Black or mixed Black heritage. Learn more and apply on our website:
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
As well as our main PhD recruitment, which is open to all, we are pleased to be offering scholarships for candidates of Black or mixed Black heritage. Learn more and apply on our website:
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Reposted by Santos lab
Very sad news, John Gurdon has died.
A developmental biologist's developmental biologist, Nobel prize winner
His work is the foundation of much of today's dev & stem cell bio.
An inspiration to many, including me. Always asking questions & wanting the answers
www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
A developmental biologist's developmental biologist, Nobel prize winner
His work is the foundation of much of today's dev & stem cell bio.
An inspiration to many, including me. Always asking questions & wanting the answers
www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
Professor Sir John Gurdon FRS (1933-2025) | Magdalene College
Magdalene College is deeply saddened to announce the death of Professor Sir John Gurdon FRS, who served as Master of the College from 1995 to 2002.
www.magd.cam.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Very sad news, John Gurdon has died.
A developmental biologist's developmental biologist, Nobel prize winner
His work is the foundation of much of today's dev & stem cell bio.
An inspiration to many, including me. Always asking questions & wanting the answers
www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
A developmental biologist's developmental biologist, Nobel prize winner
His work is the foundation of much of today's dev & stem cell bio.
An inspiration to many, including me. Always asking questions & wanting the answers
www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
Reposted by Santos lab
Outstanding talk today at #CABDseminars by Silvia Santos @santoslab.bsky.social! Silvia showcased the latest work understanding the deciding cellular signals during early human development. Silvia was hosted by Fernando Casares.
Thanks for coming Silvia!
Thanks for coming Silvia!
October 3, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Outstanding talk today at #CABDseminars by Silvia Santos @santoslab.bsky.social! Silvia showcased the latest work understanding the deciding cellular signals during early human development. Silvia was hosted by Fernando Casares.
Thanks for coming Silvia!
Thanks for coming Silvia!
Congratulations Isabela from the Dev Bio MSc program @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social for finishing successfully your viva! Was an absolute pleasure to train you and have you in the lab! Beautiful work on cell cycle and fate and never ending enthusiasm! Best of luck with your next adventure!
September 30, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Congratulations Isabela from the Dev Bio MSc program @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social for finishing successfully your viva! Was an absolute pleasure to train you and have you in the lab! Beautiful work on cell cycle and fate and never ending enthusiasm! Best of luck with your next adventure!
Reposted by Santos lab
EEE meeting is BACK! Early Embryogenesis & Epigenetics conference in Berlin 02/2026.
Checkout great program and over 12 slots for (not so) short talks for submitted abstracts!. Early registration now open -
w.molgen.mpg.de/embryo2026
Checkout great program and over 12 slots for (not so) short talks for submitted abstracts!. Early registration now open -
w.molgen.mpg.de/embryo2026
September 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
EEE meeting is BACK! Early Embryogenesis & Epigenetics conference in Berlin 02/2026.
Checkout great program and over 12 slots for (not so) short talks for submitted abstracts!. Early registration now open -
w.molgen.mpg.de/embryo2026
Checkout great program and over 12 slots for (not so) short talks for submitted abstracts!. Early registration now open -
w.molgen.mpg.de/embryo2026
Farewell dinner for @oliveringe.bsky.social with our wonderful Santos lab family. Ollie was our 1st Crick PhD student! Lots to celebrate and many fun memories. We are so grateful to have had Ollie in the lab and cannot wait to see what’s next for him in the Morris lab at Harvard! Best of luck,Ollie!
September 26, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Farewell dinner for @oliveringe.bsky.social with our wonderful Santos lab family. Ollie was our 1st Crick PhD student! Lots to celebrate and many fun memories. We are so grateful to have had Ollie in the lab and cannot wait to see what’s next for him in the Morris lab at Harvard! Best of luck,Ollie!
Reposted by Santos lab
The goal of a PhD is not to learn some facts or read a few papers or learn a bunch of techniques. The goal of a PhD is to learn independence, problem solving, how to finish things you start, resilience, & gain the ability to adapt & think creatively. Learning these things is hard.
August 13, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The goal of a PhD is not to learn some facts or read a few papers or learn a bunch of techniques. The goal of a PhD is to learn independence, problem solving, how to finish things you start, resilience, & gain the ability to adapt & think creatively. Learning these things is hard.
Reposted by Santos lab
It was fun to look back over a decade of 'From Stem Cells to Human Development' meetings at @dev-journal.bsky.social. This is one of the projects I most enjoyed during my time at the journal - and I really hope we helped to catalyse and support a community... journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...
From stem cells to human development: supporting a growing field
In 2014, Development organised the first of The Company of Biologists’ Journal Meetings: ‘From Stem Cells to Human Development’. Conceived to help bring together the developmental biology and stem cel...
journals.biologists.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:31 AM
It was fun to look back over a decade of 'From Stem Cells to Human Development' meetings at @dev-journal.bsky.social. This is one of the projects I most enjoyed during my time at the journal - and I really hope we helped to catalyse and support a community... journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...
Reposted by Santos lab
I could not have summarised our article better than @katherine-brown.bsky.social!! Please see below and keep reading if you are interested in human embryo research policy. It was such a pleasure to write this piece with Susana, Mina and Catello.
Just out in @dev-journal.bsky.social - important discussion on the availability of human embryos for research. Thanks @marta-shahbazi.bsky.social and co-authors for contributing this: journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...
Frozen potential: embryo research at the crossroads of ethics, regulation and scientific opportunity
ABSTRACT. In an era of expanding reproductive possibilities, the human embryo has come to represent both immense potential and profound constraint. Advances in medically assisted reproduction (MAR) ha...
journals.biologists.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I could not have summarised our article better than @katherine-brown.bsky.social!! Please see below and keep reading if you are interested in human embryo research policy. It was such a pleasure to write this piece with Susana, Mina and Catello.
This is Mirjam, Santos Lab’ PhD student presenting her work at the EMBL meeting on Developmental Metabolism 🫶. Conference was incredible and Mirjam had an amazing time!
September 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
This is Mirjam, Santos Lab’ PhD student presenting her work at the EMBL meeting on Developmental Metabolism 🫶. Conference was incredible and Mirjam had an amazing time!
Reposted by Santos lab
2/3 Special thank you to my supervisor Silvia, her continued mentorship and support throughout the PhD and onto my next step. 🙏
September 13, 2025 at 11:35 AM
2/3 Special thank you to my supervisor Silvia, her continued mentorship and support throughout the PhD and onto my next step. 🙏
Reposted by Santos lab
1/3 After 6+ years at @crick.ac.uk I split my last cells and hung up my lab coat! Thank you to the brilliant community from fellow PhDs/Postdocs, LOAs, STPs, academic training team and to all past/present @santoslab.bsky.social members. My Crick journey would not have been the same without you all!
September 13, 2025 at 11:35 AM
1/3 After 6+ years at @crick.ac.uk I split my last cells and hung up my lab coat! Thank you to the brilliant community from fellow PhDs/Postdocs, LOAs, STPs, academic training team and to all past/present @santoslab.bsky.social members. My Crick journey would not have been the same without you all!
Our ✨ latest work ✨ is out today! Led by our incredibly talented PhD student @oliveringe.bsky.social and with @jamesbriscoe.bsky.social and many @crick.ac.uk friends and collaborators. Very grateful to all involved, and excited about this story.
check out Ollie’s post www.cell.com/developmenta...
check out Ollie’s post www.cell.com/developmenta...
September 9, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Our ✨ latest work ✨ is out today! Led by our incredibly talented PhD student @oliveringe.bsky.social and with @jamesbriscoe.bsky.social and many @crick.ac.uk friends and collaborators. Very grateful to all involved, and excited about this story.
check out Ollie’s post www.cell.com/developmenta...
check out Ollie’s post www.cell.com/developmenta...
Reposted by Santos lab
A redox switch in p21-CDK feedback during G2 phase controls the proliferation-cell cycle exit decision
A redox switch in p21-CDK feedback during G2 phase controls the proliferation-cell cycle exit decision
ROS oxidize cell cycle proteins and regulate cell proliferation. Vorhauser et al. show that oxidation of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 at cysteine 41 (C41) during the G2 phase controls its stability. Loss of C41 oxidation increases p21 stability, impairs proliferation, and promotes senescence after irradiation.
dlvr.it
September 5, 2025 at 10:57 PM
A redox switch in p21-CDK feedback during G2 phase controls the proliferation-cell cycle exit decision
