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Transposable elements are vectors of recurrent transgenerational epigenetic inheritance

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Reposted by Jake Harris

Maddy Seale @maddyseale.bsky.social · 16d

Out First Release in @science.org this week:

A large scale analysis of the epigenetics of transposable elements in Arabidopsis shows transgenerational stability

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

#PlantScience

DNA methylation loss at transposable elements (TEs) can affect neighboring genes and be epigenetically inherited in plants, yet the determinants and significance of this additional system of inheritan...

www.science.org

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Reposted by Jake Harris

Jan Żylicz @jzylicz.bsky.social · 20d

Genes are not On/Off switches. In a new preprint we show that HDAC3 is key to establish correct transcriptional dose in development. Gr8 work from N. Stamidis @ucph.bsky.social and collab. @jamiehackett.bsky.social @gregersenlab.bsky.social . Huge thx to all authors! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

HDAC3 prevents enhancer hyperactivation to enable developmental transitions

Dynamic gene regulation requires precise cooperation between transcription factors and chromatin modifiers at regulatory elements to achieve not only activation or repression, but also appropriate tra...

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Jake Harris @c-jake-harris.bsky.social · 28d

Wow congrats! Awesome news and well deserved!!

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Reposted by Jake Harris

Anna Schulten @sulteavn.bsky.social · Sep 5

Our paper on VEL-dependent polymerization is featured on the cover of this month's issue of @cp-molcell.bsky.social 🎉 The cover art was created by my talented friend Awesta - the result of hours of brainstorming together over video. Great fun teaming up for this!

In a dance along chromatin, hand-linked figures represent the dynamic multimeric assembly of VIN3 (blue-green) and VRN5 (magenta), accessory proteins to Polycomb repressive complex 2. VEL polymerization-mediated assembly maintains chromatin association of Polycomb proteins, symbolized by entwinement with the chromatin fiber (pink). Schulten et al. show how this enables epigenetic silencing of the Arabidopsis floral repressor gene FLC during prolonged winter cold, reflected in the artwork's cool-toned color palette. Artwork by Awesta Rogh.

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Jake Harris @c-jake-harris.bsky.social · Sep 6

Welcome @jsontgerath.bsky.social and @hartman-plantlab.com looking forward to many memory related collabs in the future!

Jake Harris @c-jake-harris.bsky.social · Sep 6

Awesome. Just awesome 👏👏

Biosynthesis and bioactivity of anti-inflammatory triterpenoids in Calendula officinalis - Nature Communications

Jake Harris @c-jake-harris.bsky.social · Aug 4

Congrats - looks awesome! And as a new parent, I love marigold..!

NicolaJPatron @nicolabiologist.bsky.social · Jul 30

Our story on the biosynthesis of anti-inflammatory triterpenes from pot marigold is published ☺️ We had a lot of fun working on this beautiful & interesting species. Well done team marigold! 🌼 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Calendula, a plant used in traditional medicine for centuries, helps reduce inflammation. Here the authors identify natural compounds that are key to its anti-inflammatory activity, revealing how they...

Mutation of a stromal C-terminal threonine residue of Photosystem II subunit S slows down NPQ induction and speeds up relaxation

Reposted by Jake Harris

Kromdijk Lab @plantphys-cam.bsky.social · Aug 4

Check out our recent pre-print which identifies the role of the first stromal residue involved in PsbS’ NPQ function!

We found mutating the c-term b-strand reduced induction but increased relaxation ☀️ 🌿

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

In order to prevent damage by excess light, photosystem antennae can switch to an energy dissipative mode (termed non-photochemical quenching, NPQ). In higher plants, this switch is facilitated by the...

Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term) - Job Opportunities - University of Cambridge

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Reposted by Jake Harris

Dr. Claudia Martinho @cssmartinho.bsky.social · Jul 22

We’re excited to share a new CRISPR-Cas12 genome editing system, highly efficient across multiple brown algae species!

Brown algae transformation has been challenging despite many thoughtful approaches over the years.

We hope this one is kelpful 🌿😅
🔗 doi.org/10.1101/2025...
#CRISPR #Algae

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Reposted by Jake Harris

Ian Henderson @hendersi.bsky.social · May 30

A three year postdoctoral position is available in my group, investigating plant centromere structure, function and evolution @camplantsci.bsky.social
www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/51488/

Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term) in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge.

H3K4me3 binding ALFIN-LIKE proteins recruit SWR1 for gene-body deposition of H2A.Z

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Jake Harris @c-jake-harris.bsky.social · May 31

Pleased to see this work come out in its final form! rdcu.be/em4UY. Great collaboration with the Ausin lab. Here we provide some mechanistic insight into how H2A.Z finds its way to gene bodies (spoiler alert, H3K4me3 readers are involved!).

rdcu.be

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Jake Harris @c-jake-harris.bsky.social · May 5

Fantastic opportunity. Fantastic lab. Quote from PhD student seminar last week "Leonie is THE BEST supervisor, ever." ... neatly summing up the overall sentiment from anyone in her orbit...

Leonie Luginbuehl @lluginbuehl.bsky.social · May 4

Join our group (www.luginbuehllab.com) at @camplantsci.bsky.social! Are you excited about mycorrhiza, (single-cell) transcriptomics, carbon physiology, and the model crop rice? We have a 2-year postdoc position available, starting ASAP. Closing date 23rd May 2025!

www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/51214/

Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term) - Job Opportunities - University of Cambridge

Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term) in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge.

Viral delivery of an RNA-guided genome editor for transgene-free germline editing in Arabidopsis - Nature Plants

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Reposted by Jake Harris

Spoel Lab @spoel-lab.bsky.social · Apr 22

How does immunisation establish durable disease resistance in plants?
Mobile immune signals released upon immunisation boost effectiveness of the defence hormone salicylic acid by ten times!😲 This results in higher immune gene expression and systemic acquired resistance against infection.

bioRxiv Plant Bio @biorxiv-plants.bsky.social · Apr 18

Mobile immune signals potentiate salicylic acid-mediated plant immunity via WRKY38/62 transcription factors https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.04.17.649115v1

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Jake Harris @c-jake-harris.bsky.social · May 5

Awesome. Can HIGHLY recommend postdoc-ing with Steve...!!!

Steve Jacobsen @jacobsenucla.bsky.social · May 1

Our paper is just out www.nature.com/articles/s41... from the Jacobsen, Doudna, and Banfield labs on viral delivery of a tiny CRISPR system for transgene free germline editing in plants, tinyurl.com/3k223r3x. Looking for postdocs to join the team for the next phase of this work!

Weiss et al. engineered the tobacco rattle virus to express the RNA-guided TnpB enzyme ISYmu1 and guide RNA for transgene-free germline editing in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Construction of multi-targeted CRISPR libraries in tomato to overcome functional redundancy at genome-scale level - Nature Communications

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Reposted by Jake Harris

Dior Kelley @diorkelley.bsky.social · May 5

New CRISPR tools for tomato functional genomics from Eilon Shani! 🍅 🧬 ✂️ www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Genetic variance is vital for breeding programs and mutant screening, yet traditional mutagenesis methods wrestle with genetic redundancy and a lack of specificity in gene targeting. Here the authors ...

Research Laboratory Technician (Fixed Term) - Job Opportunities - University of Cambridge

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Jake Harris @c-jake-harris.bsky.social · Apr 10

And a 3 year tech position is also now live. Synthetic biology project funded by the Advanced Research + Innovation Agency (ARIA). Please apply / RP! www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/51027/
@camplantsci.bsky.social

Research Laboratory Technician (Fixed Term) in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge.

Extensive N4 cytosine methylation is essential for Marchantia sperm function

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Jake Harris @c-jake-harris.bsky.social · Apr 10

This is awesome work. So many layers of discovery in this paper. Great to see it in its final form!

jameswalker303.bsky.social @jameswalker303.bsky.social · Apr 9

I'm thrilled to share that our study is now published in Cell:
Extensive N4 cytosine methylation is essential for Marchantia sperm function.
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
This paper confirms our 4mC discovery in Marchantia sperm and takes it much further.
A thread: 0/13

Global N4 cytosine methylation in Marchantia polymorpha sperm regulates gene expression and promotes sperm fertility.

www.cell.com

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Reposted by Jake Harris

Alex Webb Lab @alexwebblab.bsky.social · Apr 9

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Really enjoyed this collaboration between my lab and James Locke lab. We show plant circadian oscillators can have a flexible architecture. Our computational models suggest that dawn-expression of ELF3 in wheat occurs due to repression of the ELF3 promoter by TOC1.

Data-driven mathematical modelling explains altered timing of EARLY FLOWERING 3 in the wheat circadian oscillator

Circadian rhythms, daily oscillations with a free-running period of approximately 24 hours, have evolved in organisms across the kingdoms of life, enabling organisms to anticipate and adapt to environ...

Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term) - Job Opportunities - University of Cambridge

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Jake Harris @c-jake-harris.bsky.social · Apr 8

We are advertising a new postdoctoral position in my group. 3 years of funding to work on a moonshot synthetic biology project funded by the Advanced Research + Innovation Agency (ARIA). Please apply and please RP! www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/50801/ @camplantsci.bsky.social

Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term) in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge.

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Jake Harris @c-jake-harris.bsky.social · Apr 8

Thank you @sjonhartman.bsky.social! Yes we're excited about the work and its potential. And coincidentally, we are also excited to be hosting @alessio-b.bsky.social in the lab in May!

Neural stem cell epigenomes and fate bias are temporally coordinated during corticogenesis

Reposted by Jake Harris

Boyan Bonev @boyanbonev.bsky.social · Apr 4

Can a stem cell change its epigenome while proliferating? In collaboration with the lab of Amos Tanay, we demonstrate that yes, the epigenome of neural stem cells (NSCs) is continuously remodeled, across multiple layers, during mouse corticogenesis. 1/14
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

The cerebral cortex orchestrates complex cognitive functions, yet how its distinct temporal lineages are molecularly patterned during development remains unresolved. Here, we integrate single-cell tra...