Thorsten Langner
@thorstenlangner.bsky.social
Group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Tuebingen. Adaptive evolution of filamentous plant pathogens 🌾🍄🧬. Love nature and music 🎸🥁 dogfather 🐕
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
AI model Helixer predicts eukaryotic genes ab initio, directly from a plain text FASTA file.
No RNA-seq.
No protein homology.
No repeats, hints, or curated evidence.
Raw genome → accurate gene models.
Deep learning + HMM, published in @natmethods.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
No RNA-seq.
No protein homology.
No repeats, hints, or curated evidence.
Raw genome → accurate gene models.
Deep learning + HMM, published in @natmethods.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Helixer: ab initio prediction of primary eukaryotic gene models combining deep learning and a hidden Markov model - Nature Methods
By leveraging both deep learning and hidden Markov models, Helixer achieves broad taxonomic coverage for ab initio gene annotation of eukaryotic genomes from fungi, plants, vertebrates and invertebrat...
www.nature.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:00 AM
AI model Helixer predicts eukaryotic genes ab initio, directly from a plain text FASTA file.
No RNA-seq.
No protein homology.
No repeats, hints, or curated evidence.
Raw genome → accurate gene models.
Deep learning + HMM, published in @natmethods.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
No RNA-seq.
No protein homology.
No repeats, hints, or curated evidence.
Raw genome → accurate gene models.
Deep learning + HMM, published in @natmethods.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
PRESS RELEASE – Dr Hassan Salem to lead independent research group on plant-insect interactions
Following an international search, we are delighted to announce that Dr Hassan Salem @hassansalem.bsky.social will be joining us in early 2026: www.jic.ac.uk/press-releas...
Following an international search, we are delighted to announce that Dr Hassan Salem @hassansalem.bsky.social will be joining us in early 2026: www.jic.ac.uk/press-releas...
November 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
PRESS RELEASE – Dr Hassan Salem to lead independent research group on plant-insect interactions
Following an international search, we are delighted to announce that Dr Hassan Salem @hassansalem.bsky.social will be joining us in early 2026: www.jic.ac.uk/press-releas...
Following an international search, we are delighted to announce that Dr Hassan Salem @hassansalem.bsky.social will be joining us in early 2026: www.jic.ac.uk/press-releas...
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Another super exciting news! Don’t miss the opportunity to join these excellent research programmes🚀
Some news 🎉
After five incredible years in Tübingen, it’s time to say goodbye.
Starting February, the Mutualisms Lab will relocate to the John Innes Centre, right next door to @berasymbionts.bsky.social and her group at The Sainsbury Laboratory 🪲🦠
After five incredible years in Tübingen, it’s time to say goodbye.
Starting February, the Mutualisms Lab will relocate to the John Innes Centre, right next door to @berasymbionts.bsky.social and her group at The Sainsbury Laboratory 🪲🦠
November 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Another super exciting news! Don’t miss the opportunity to join these excellent research programmes🚀
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
We (Nordborg & Weigel labs) need input on the next generation of genome browsers & data download modes for the #Arabidopsis #1001GenomesPlus project. We have now a curated collection of over 500 long read genomes.
Please help us by filling out this questionnaire: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Please help us by filling out this questionnaire: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Next generation of 1001 Genomes Plus browser and data download
Please indicate all features you would like to see in a browser that displays features of completely sequenced Arabidopsis thaliana genomes
docs.google.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
We (Nordborg & Weigel labs) need input on the next generation of genome browsers & data download modes for the #Arabidopsis #1001GenomesPlus project. We have now a curated collection of over 500 long read genomes.
Please help us by filling out this questionnaire: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Please help us by filling out this questionnaire: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Super excited to be joining @thesainsburylab.bsky.social and to begin this new chapter in Norwich!!
And thrilled to be neighbours with the Mutualisms Research Group at @hassansalem.bsky.social and the wider community at @johninnescentre.bsky.social. Can’t wait to get started! 😁
And thrilled to be neighbours with the Mutualisms Research Group at @hassansalem.bsky.social and the wider community at @johninnescentre.bsky.social. Can’t wait to get started! 😁
November 24, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Super excited to be joining @thesainsburylab.bsky.social and to begin this new chapter in Norwich!!
And thrilled to be neighbours with the Mutualisms Research Group at @hassansalem.bsky.social and the wider community at @johninnescentre.bsky.social. Can’t wait to get started! 😁
And thrilled to be neighbours with the Mutualisms Research Group at @hassansalem.bsky.social and the wider community at @johninnescentre.bsky.social. Can’t wait to get started! 😁
Highly recommended! Nice team, exciting science, and a great place to work! 🪲🌱🍄
There’ll be several opportunities to join the group, starting w/ a PhD studentship via the BBSRC-NRP Doctoral Training Partnership.
Team up w/ us, @saskiahogenhout.bsky.social & @berasymbionts.bsky.social to answer how microbes shape insect behavior:
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/projects/mic...
Team up w/ us, @saskiahogenhout.bsky.social & @berasymbionts.bsky.social to answer how microbes shape insect behavior:
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/projects/mic...
Microbial determinants of behaviour in herbivorous beetles (SALEM_J26DTP) | Doctoral Training Partnership
Many animals rely on beneficial microbes for nutrition, defence, or reproduction. In this project, the student will explore an exciting new dimension of these relationships:
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Highly recommended! Nice team, exciting science, and a great place to work! 🪲🌱🍄
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
And if you are at the postdoctoral stage, consider applying for the first of two four-year openings to join the group at JIC. Applications are due on December 15th, for a start date in 2026. jobs.jic.ac.uk/Details.asp?...
John Innes Centre
jobs.jic.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
And if you are at the postdoctoral stage, consider applying for the first of two four-year openings to join the group at JIC. Applications are due on December 15th, for a start date in 2026. jobs.jic.ac.uk/Details.asp?...
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
There’ll be several opportunities to join the group, starting w/ a PhD studentship via the BBSRC-NRP Doctoral Training Partnership.
Team up w/ us, @saskiahogenhout.bsky.social & @berasymbionts.bsky.social to answer how microbes shape insect behavior:
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/projects/mic...
Team up w/ us, @saskiahogenhout.bsky.social & @berasymbionts.bsky.social to answer how microbes shape insect behavior:
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/projects/mic...
Microbial determinants of behaviour in herbivorous beetles (SALEM_J26DTP) | Doctoral Training Partnership
Many animals rely on beneficial microbes for nutrition, defence, or reproduction. In this project, the student will explore an exciting new dimension of these relationships:
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
There’ll be several opportunities to join the group, starting w/ a PhD studentship via the BBSRC-NRP Doctoral Training Partnership.
Team up w/ us, @saskiahogenhout.bsky.social & @berasymbionts.bsky.social to answer how microbes shape insect behavior:
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/projects/mic...
Team up w/ us, @saskiahogenhout.bsky.social & @berasymbionts.bsky.social to answer how microbes shape insect behavior:
biodtp.norwichresearchpark.ac.uk/projects/mic...
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Some news 🎉
After five incredible years in Tübingen, it’s time to say goodbye.
Starting February, the Mutualisms Lab will relocate to the John Innes Centre, right next door to @berasymbionts.bsky.social and her group at The Sainsbury Laboratory 🪲🦠
After five incredible years in Tübingen, it’s time to say goodbye.
Starting February, the Mutualisms Lab will relocate to the John Innes Centre, right next door to @berasymbionts.bsky.social and her group at The Sainsbury Laboratory 🪲🦠
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Some news 🎉
After five incredible years in Tübingen, it’s time to say goodbye.
Starting February, the Mutualisms Lab will relocate to the John Innes Centre, right next door to @berasymbionts.bsky.social and her group at The Sainsbury Laboratory 🪲🦠
After five incredible years in Tübingen, it’s time to say goodbye.
Starting February, the Mutualisms Lab will relocate to the John Innes Centre, right next door to @berasymbionts.bsky.social and her group at The Sainsbury Laboratory 🪲🦠
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Congrats to all the @thesainsburylab.bsky.social prize winners this year! A special shoutout to our own Phon Green for her incredible research support, especially managing a HUGE number of plants, from Arabidopsis to crops 🤯
November 19, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Congrats to all the @thesainsburylab.bsky.social prize winners this year! A special shoutout to our own Phon Green for her incredible research support, especially managing a HUGE number of plants, from Arabidopsis to crops 🤯
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
We're looking for a PhD student! If you're interested in #fungal #genomics & #TEs, meiotic drive, or pathogens, please consider applying. The project is about toxin/antidote genes in the human fungal pathogen A. fumigatus. uu.varbi.com/en/what:job/...
November 19, 2025 at 9:20 AM
We're looking for a PhD student! If you're interested in #fungal #genomics & #TEs, meiotic drive, or pathogens, please consider applying. The project is about toxin/antidote genes in the human fungal pathogen A. fumigatus. uu.varbi.com/en/what:job/...
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Today is a big day as the Precision Breeding Act comes into force 🌱
@kamounlab.bsky.social: “This is a milestone for UK science and innovation. We now have the regulatory framework to translate discovery into impact — improving crops, strengthening food security, and benefiting society” 🌿
@kamounlab.bsky.social: “This is a milestone for UK science and innovation. We now have the regulatory framework to translate discovery into impact — improving crops, strengthening food security, and benefiting society” 🌿
November 13, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Today is a big day as the Precision Breeding Act comes into force 🌱
@kamounlab.bsky.social: “This is a milestone for UK science and innovation. We now have the regulatory framework to translate discovery into impact — improving crops, strengthening food security, and benefiting society” 🌿
@kamounlab.bsky.social: “This is a milestone for UK science and innovation. We now have the regulatory framework to translate discovery into impact — improving crops, strengthening food security, and benefiting society” 🌿
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Our new collaborative work led by @taliamycota.bsky.social
Jiajun Cui & Emma Caullireau between my lab @ucllifesciences.bsky.social @cloeucl.bsky.social & the Karasov Lab (tkarasovlab.org) @uofubiology.bsky.social
and collaborators: @plantricia.bsky.social et al.
tinyurl.com/5yx2wmz5
(1/n)
Jiajun Cui & Emma Caullireau between my lab @ucllifesciences.bsky.social @cloeucl.bsky.social & the Karasov Lab (tkarasovlab.org) @uofubiology.bsky.social
and collaborators: @plantricia.bsky.social et al.
tinyurl.com/5yx2wmz5
(1/n)
November 18, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Our new collaborative work led by @taliamycota.bsky.social
Jiajun Cui & Emma Caullireau between my lab @ucllifesciences.bsky.social @cloeucl.bsky.social & the Karasov Lab (tkarasovlab.org) @uofubiology.bsky.social
and collaborators: @plantricia.bsky.social et al.
tinyurl.com/5yx2wmz5
(1/n)
Jiajun Cui & Emma Caullireau between my lab @ucllifesciences.bsky.social @cloeucl.bsky.social & the Karasov Lab (tkarasovlab.org) @uofubiology.bsky.social
and collaborators: @plantricia.bsky.social et al.
tinyurl.com/5yx2wmz5
(1/n)
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Come celebrate 50 years of the GRC Cellular and Molecular Fungal Biology series!!
www.grc.org/cellular-and...
www.grc.org/cellular-and...
November 17, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Come celebrate 50 years of the GRC Cellular and Molecular Fungal Biology series!!
www.grc.org/cellular-and...
www.grc.org/cellular-and...
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
This is a remarkable study describing a new fungal species in a 407 million year old plant - Rugososporomyces lavoisierae Strullu-Derrien and Schornack sp. nov - using some amazing technology. Worth a read 👇
Confocal scanning laser microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging & Raman analyses allowed @nhm-london.bsky.social, @slcuplants.bsky.social & @cambridge-ee.bsky.social researchers to resolve plant & fungal structures fossil
Read in @newphyt.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1111/nph....
@dromius.bsky.social
Read in @newphyt.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1111/nph....
@dromius.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 9:37 AM
This is a remarkable study describing a new fungal species in a 407 million year old plant - Rugososporomyces lavoisierae Strullu-Derrien and Schornack sp. nov - using some amazing technology. Worth a read 👇
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Our paper on the #genome of the Trebouxia #photobiont from Xanthoria is now out in @newphyt.bsky.social! Check below for a near-chromosome level assembly, secretome analysis, evidence of ancient HGT, and transcriptomic comparison of the alga in symbiosis and in pure culture
doi.org/10.1111/nph.70728
doi.org/10.1111/nph.70728
November 12, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Our paper on the #genome of the Trebouxia #photobiont from Xanthoria is now out in @newphyt.bsky.social! Check below for a near-chromosome level assembly, secretome analysis, evidence of ancient HGT, and transcriptomic comparison of the alga in symbiosis and in pure culture
doi.org/10.1111/nph.70728
doi.org/10.1111/nph.70728
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Gluing a bulky host protein onto an immune surveillance complex is a wild mechanism of viral immune evasion!
@natmicrobiol.nature.com
#phagesky #phage #microsky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@natmicrobiol.nature.com
#phagesky #phage #microsky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 12, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Gluing a bulky host protein onto an immune surveillance complex is a wild mechanism of viral immune evasion!
@natmicrobiol.nature.com
#phagesky #phage #microsky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@natmicrobiol.nature.com
#phagesky #phage #microsky
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Plz RP. Come join us at @slcuplants.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk to study effector-targeted plant processes impacting plant cell biology and development.
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/post-do...
www.schornacklab.net
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/post-do...
www.schornacklab.net
November 6, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Plz RP. Come join us at @slcuplants.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk to study effector-targeted plant processes impacting plant cell biology and development.
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/post-do...
www.schornacklab.net
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/post-do...
www.schornacklab.net
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Thrilled to share our latest review on receptor kinase processing in plants! 🌱
Huge congratulations to @adithya1972.bsky.social and Anna for leading this work, and a big thank you to our fantastic collaborator Martina-Ried Lasi for making this a truly rewarding team effort!
Huge congratulations to @adithya1972.bsky.social and Anna for leading this work, and a big thank you to our fantastic collaborator Martina-Ried Lasi for making this a truly rewarding team effort!
Shedding light on receptor kinase processing
journals.plos.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Thrilled to share our latest review on receptor kinase processing in plants! 🌱
Huge congratulations to @adithya1972.bsky.social and Anna for leading this work, and a big thank you to our fantastic collaborator Martina-Ried Lasi for making this a truly rewarding team effort!
Huge congratulations to @adithya1972.bsky.social and Anna for leading this work, and a big thank you to our fantastic collaborator Martina-Ried Lasi for making this a truly rewarding team effort!
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Sooo happy to see this preprint out 🍄☘️!
Congratulations @leocastanedo.bsky.social @katharinamel1.bsky.social et al. !
It has been a long journey, from developing ericoid-mycorrhizae in the lab (Leo) to the genetics in Marchantia (Katharina), and many other details (#teamwork)
Congratulations @leocastanedo.bsky.social @katharinamel1.bsky.social et al. !
It has been a long journey, from developing ericoid-mycorrhizae in the lab (Leo) to the genetics in Marchantia (Katharina), and many other details (#teamwork)
1/ It is my pleasure to share the latest preprint of the team: "Symbiotic diversification relies on an ancestral gene network in plants"
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Here, we identified and functionally validated a novel master regulator of intracellular symbioses!
A thread ...
#PlantScience
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Here, we identified and functionally validated a novel master regulator of intracellular symbioses!
A thread ...
#PlantScience
Symbiotic diversification relies on an ancestral gene network in plants
Symbioses have been fundamental to colonization of terrestrial ecosystems by plants and their evolution. Emergence of the ancient arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis was followed by the diversification o...
doi.org
November 4, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Sooo happy to see this preprint out 🍄☘️!
Congratulations @leocastanedo.bsky.social @katharinamel1.bsky.social et al. !
It has been a long journey, from developing ericoid-mycorrhizae in the lab (Leo) to the genetics in Marchantia (Katharina), and many other details (#teamwork)
Congratulations @leocastanedo.bsky.social @katharinamel1.bsky.social et al. !
It has been a long journey, from developing ericoid-mycorrhizae in the lab (Leo) to the genetics in Marchantia (Katharina), and many other details (#teamwork)
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
A wheat NLR conferring broad-spectrum resistance against powdery mildew by recognizing two structurally diverse AVR effectors. Interested? Check out our newest preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Dual recognition of structurally unrelated mildew effectors underlies the broad-spectrum resistance of Pm3e in wheat
Broad-spectrum resistance genes are highly valuable for sustainable crop protection, yet the molecular basis of their activity is often unknown. The Pm3 allelic series in wheat encodes NLR receptors t...
www.biorxiv.org
November 2, 2025 at 1:29 PM
A wheat NLR conferring broad-spectrum resistance against powdery mildew by recognizing two structurally diverse AVR effectors. Interested? Check out our newest preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
Big New! @elife.bsky.social @genetics-gsa.bsky.social #G3journal are joining editorial forces with @reviewcommons.org - bringing not just field-specific expertise to the process but also making #PreprintPeerReview a truly collaborative effort!🎉👏
Read more to find out👇
www.embo.org/features/pub...
Read more to find out👇
www.embo.org/features/pub...
Publishers join the Review Commons peer review process – Features – EMBO
Editors from eLife, Genetics, G3 and Journal of Cell Biology will contribute to the EMBO preprint peer review platform
www.embo.org
November 3, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Big New! @elife.bsky.social @genetics-gsa.bsky.social #G3journal are joining editorial forces with @reviewcommons.org - bringing not just field-specific expertise to the process but also making #PreprintPeerReview a truly collaborative effort!🎉👏
Read more to find out👇
www.embo.org/features/pub...
Read more to find out👇
www.embo.org/features/pub...
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
My main work as postdoc @plantophagy.bsky.social lab in @gmivienna.bsky.social is out in @natplants.nature.com 🌱🎉
We asked how can protein complexes diversify without compromising their function and explored this question using the plant #exocyst complex.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
We asked how can protein complexes diversify without compromising their function and explored this question using the plant #exocyst complex.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Electrostatic changes enabled the diversification of an exocyst subunit via protein complex escape - Nature Plants
The evolutionary diversification of an exocyst subunit was enabled by electrostatic shifts leading to its dissociation from the ancestral complex.
www.nature.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:57 PM
My main work as postdoc @plantophagy.bsky.social lab in @gmivienna.bsky.social is out in @natplants.nature.com 🌱🎉
We asked how can protein complexes diversify without compromising their function and explored this question using the plant #exocyst complex.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
We asked how can protein complexes diversify without compromising their function and explored this question using the plant #exocyst complex.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
This Halloween, we have a spooky evolutionary story for you.
The brainchild of @delaconcepcionjc.bsky.social, Nick Irwin and our fantastic collaborators is now out in @natplants.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here’s why I love this work — and why I think you’ll enjoy it too. 👇
The brainchild of @delaconcepcionjc.bsky.social, Nick Irwin and our fantastic collaborators is now out in @natplants.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here’s why I love this work — and why I think you’ll enjoy it too. 👇
October 31, 2025 at 10:19 AM
This Halloween, we have a spooky evolutionary story for you.
The brainchild of @delaconcepcionjc.bsky.social, Nick Irwin and our fantastic collaborators is now out in @natplants.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here’s why I love this work — and why I think you’ll enjoy it too. 👇
The brainchild of @delaconcepcionjc.bsky.social, Nick Irwin and our fantastic collaborators is now out in @natplants.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here’s why I love this work — and why I think you’ll enjoy it too. 👇
Reposted by Thorsten Langner
I just published: Google DeepMind visits TSL
As long-time admirers of Google DeepMind’s tools and systems, our researchers were excited to show Lila Ibrahim and the team how we harness AlphaFold in our plant health research. kamounlab.medium.com/google-deepm...
As long-time admirers of Google DeepMind’s tools and systems, our researchers were excited to show Lila Ibrahim and the team how we harness AlphaFold in our plant health research. kamounlab.medium.com/google-deepm...
Google DeepMind visits TSL
As long-time admirers of Google DeepMind’s tools and systems, our researchers were excited to show Lila Ibrahim and the team how we harness…
kamounlab.medium.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I just published: Google DeepMind visits TSL
As long-time admirers of Google DeepMind’s tools and systems, our researchers were excited to show Lila Ibrahim and the team how we harness AlphaFold in our plant health research. kamounlab.medium.com/google-deepm...
As long-time admirers of Google DeepMind’s tools and systems, our researchers were excited to show Lila Ibrahim and the team how we harness AlphaFold in our plant health research. kamounlab.medium.com/google-deepm...