Developmental Biology

This Nature Podcast episode examines human brain organoids transplanted into mice lacking a cerebral cortex, where extensive cellular integration could create an in-vivo platform for testing therapies and studying human neurobiology. It also covers research highlights and Paper2Agent, an AI system that turns research papers into interactive virtual corresponding authors able to answer questions and support complex scientific tasks.

Sarah Crespi and Richard Stone discuss the spread of disease-carrying Hyalomma ticks as the climate changes, drawing on reporting from Kosovo and the role of surveillance. Evolutionary ecologist Veronika Bókony then explains research on agile frogs whose development changes with temperature, including the reproductive consequences for genetically female frogs that develop male traits. The episode connects climate, disease ecology and amphibian reproduction. The publisher supplies a transcript and external audio.

Nature staff revisit the landmark cloning of Dolly the sheep from an adult cell and discuss the first direct observation of ocean-floor crust being created.

Postdoctoral research with Stefanie Grosswendt’s group at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany. The laboratory investigates how neighbouring cells communicate and how these interactions influence gene regulation, cell fate and tissue function. Experimental and computational approaches combine single-cell genomics, CellMate-seq ligand–receptor measurements and imaging-based spatial transcriptomics. Projects examine neural crest development in mouse embryos and neuroblastoma, with complex in-vitro systems and bottom-up reconstruction used to connect communication patterns with their consequences. The group is recruiting postdocs with experimental or computational expertise, or both, for the September 2026 Max Planck Postdoc Program. The programme guarantees a contract of at least three years. Apply through the official programme portal by 13 October 2026 at 12:00 Europe/Berlin (CEST). An account is required; the Apply action appears after registration. Upload a CV including publications, previous-research summary, statement of interest, academic transcript and contact details for three referees.

Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers can seek up to GBP 3,000 for a research visit to another laboratory. Apply to the participating journal that best matches the work: Development, Journal of Cell Science or Journal of Experimental Biology. The next deadline is 23 October 2026 for travel after 7 December 2026. This recurring fellowship supports research collaboration; it is not a training-course bursary.

The Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR) provides a dynamic environment for PhD training in placental biology and reproductive science. Founded in 2007, it brings together over 30 Principal Investigators with a shared interest in the scientific study of the placenta, early development and maternal-fetal interactions during pregnancy. Our PIs are recognized international experts in their fields based across Cambridge in the Departments of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pathology, Genetics, and allied institutes, including the Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, the LMB, Babraham, and Wellcome Sanger Institute. A Loke CTR Studentship will be held within the relevant department or Institute, where an internal Departmental Postgraduate Educational Committee is responsible for administering your degree. Our PhD students have access to unique training opportunities to prepare them for successful careers in research. Students will present their research by giving seminars at our annual Away Days and international conferences, and attend a variety of seminars given by distinguished scientists with the Loke CTR and affiliated Department or Institute. There are also opportunities to participate and present in interdisciplinary seminars hosted by Cambridge Reproduction of which the Loke CTR is a founding member. Students will gain training in our Placental Biology Course and receive support from them to attend international meetings. Loke CTR PhD students will also become members of the Postgraduate School of the Life Sciences, which organises and promotes many further training opportunities. We are pleased to consider applications for fully funded, full-time study over four years or part-time over five years. Application Procedure Please investigate research projects on offer for the 2026/2027 application cycle (https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/opportunities/projects) and contact potential supervisors in advance of applying. Once you have identified a potential supervisor(s) and project(s), please make a formal application following the instructions and requirements detailed on our website https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/phd-studentships/selection-process. The application deadline is 3 November 2026. We will hold an initial round of Zoom interviews with potential PhD supervisors in late November (2026). Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a second round of interviews in early January (2027). Finance Loke CTR PhD Studentships will cover all University and College fees at home or international rates, along with a stipend of £22,000 per year. Awarded studentships also include a justified research consumables/equipment of £15,000 and up to £750 funds for conference travel over the duration of the studentship. Key experience and competencies Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Good II.i Honours Degree. If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications (https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international/international-qualifications) to find the equivalent in your country. We are looking for strong candidates that will contribute to the science in the Loke CTR and have potential as researchers. During the admissions process, we will consider the academic record and the comments from referees as well as the research experience and achievements of the applicants. We are mindful that the extent of research opportunity and publications can vary substantially depending on background and undergraduate training, for example some countries have longer undergraduate courses, different master requirements, offer short courses and practical research, etc, and all these are put into context when evaluating potential. Please refer to the University of Cambridge Entry (https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/entry-requirements) requirements for further detail. Research projects available for 2026/27 entry Endometrial-trophoblast interactions in the regulation of placental invasion into the uterus, supervised by Irving Aye and Naomi McGovern Epigenetic mechanisms linking maternal choline supply and one-carbon metabolism during early perinatal development, supervised by Geula Hanin and Erica Watson GLP-1receptor agonists effects on the placenta and maternal vasculature in an obese pregnancy model, supervised by Sue Ozanne and Wei Li Imaging the dynamics of human implantation, supervised by Kathy Niakan and Naomi McGovern Investigating the role of transcription factors in regulating trophectoderm specification during human embryogenesis, supervised by Peter Rugg-Gunn and Kathy Niakan Questions If you have any queries regarding the selection process, please refer to our website (https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/phd-studentships) or email phd.lokectr@pdn.cam.ac.uk. The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The BDR–RISE programme offers one or two appointments for collaborative research spanning at least two participating RIKEN laboratories. Areas include development, cell systems, brain organoids, neural stem cells, regeneration, AI biology and quantitative biology. Candidates propose the collaboration and must first confirm participation with prospective host and partner laboratory heads. Employment is initially annual and renewable for up to three years. Each project receives JPY 3 million per year through the host laboratories. Senior scientist, scientist and postdoctoral categories have distinct experience requirements; postdoctoral applicants must be within five years of their PhD or complete it before starting. Applications are due 30 November 2026, normally for an April or October 2027 start. Use the official upload form with the coordinated proposal and required documents.

The Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR) provides a dynamic environment for PhD training in placental biology and reproductive science. Founded in 2007, it brings together over 30 Principal Investigators with a shared interest in the scientific study of the placenta, early development and maternal-fetal interactions during pregnancy. Our PIs are recognized international experts in their fields based across Cambridge in the Departments of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pathology, Genetics, and allied institutes, including the Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, the LMB, Babraham, and Wellcome Sanger Institute. A Loke CTR Studentship will be held within the relevant department or Institute, where an internal Departmental Postgraduate Educational Committee is responsible for administering your degree. Our PhD students have access to unique training opportunities to prepare them for successful careers in research. Students will present their research by giving seminars at our annual Away Days and international conferences, and attend a variety of seminars given by distinguished scientists with the Loke CTR and affiliated Department or Institute. There are also opportunities to participate and present in interdisciplinary seminars hosted by Cambridge Reproduction of which the Loke CTR is a founding member. Students will gain training in our Placental Biology Course and receive support from them to attend international meetings. Loke CTR PhD students will also become members of the Postgraduate School of the Life Sciences, which organises and promotes many further training opportunities. We are pleased to consider applications for fully funded, full-time study over four years or part-time over five years. Application Procedure Please investigate research projects on offer for the 2026/2027 application cycle (https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/opportunities/projects) and contact potential supervisors in advance of applying. Once you have identified a potential supervisor(s) and project(s), please make a formal application following the instructions and requirements detailed on our website https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/phd-studentships/selection-process. The application deadline is 3 November 2026. We will hold an initial round of Zoom interviews with potential PhD supervisors in late November (2026). Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a second round of interviews in early January (2027). Finance Loke CTR PhD Studentships will cover all University and College fees at home or international rates, along with a stipend of £22,000 per year. Awarded studentships also include a justified research consumables/equipment of £15,000 and up to £750 funds for conference travel over the duration of the studentship. Key experience and competencies Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Good II.i Honours Degree. If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications (https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international/international-qualifications) to find the equivalent in your country. We are looking for strong candidates that will contribute to the science in the Loke CTR and have potential as researchers. During the admissions process, we will consider the academic record and the comments from referees as well as the research experience and achievements of the applicants. We are mindful that the extent of research opportunity and publications can vary substantially depending on background and undergraduate training, for example some countries have longer undergraduate courses, different master requirements, offer short courses and practical research, etc, and all these are put into context when evaluating potential. Please refer to the University of Cambridge Entry (https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/before/entry-requirements) requirements for further detail. Research projects available for 2026/27 entry Endometrial-trophoblast interactions in the regulation of placental invasion into the uterus, supervised by Irving Aye and Naomi McGovern Epigenetic mechanisms linking maternal choline supply and one-carbon metabolism during early perinatal development, supervised by Geula Hanin and Erica Watson GLP-1receptor agonists effects on the placenta and maternal vasculature in an obese pregnancy model, supervised by Sue Ozanne and Wei Li Imaging the dynamics of human implantation, supervised by Kathy Niakan and Naomi McGovern Investigating the role of transcription factors in regulating trophectoderm specification during human embryogenesis, supervised by Peter Rugg-Gunn and Kathy Niakan Questions If you have any queries regarding the selection process, please refer to our website (https://www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/phd-studentships) or email phd.lokectr@pdn.cam.ac.uk. The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

This Lake Conference is a 3.5-day forum on comparative and evolutionary approaches to nervous-system function. The program includes invited and selected talks, poster sessions, comparative genomics and genetics, evolutionary and developmental mechanisms, and evolutionary neuroscience systems biology.

Annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research at the Moscone West Convention Center, San Francisco, recognizing 25 years of discovery, collaboration, and progress in stem cell science.

One of the most prominent features of the human brain is the fabulous size of the cerebral cortex and its intricate folding, both of which emerge during development. Over the last few years, work from my lab has shown that specific cellular and genetic mechanisms play central roles in cortex folding, particularly linked to neural stem and progenitor cells. Key mechanisms include high rates of neurogenesis, high abundance of basal Radial Glia Cells (bRGCs), and neuron migration, all of which are intertwined during development. We have also shown that primary cortical folds follow highly stereotyped patterns, defined by a spatial-temporal protomap of gene expression within germinal layers of the developing cortex. I will present recent findings from my laboratory revealing novel cellular and genetic mechanisms that regulate cortex expansion and folding. We have uncovered the contribution of epigenetic regulation to the establishment of the cortex folding protomap, modulating the expression levels of key transcription factors that control progenitor cell proliferation and cortex folding. At the single cell level, we have identified an unprecedented diversity of cortical progenitor cell classes in the ferret and human embryonic cortex. These are differentially enriched in gyrus versus sulcus regions and establish parallel cell lineages, not observed in mouse. Our findings show that genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in gyrencephalic species diversify cortical progenitor cell types and implement parallel cell linages, driving the expansion of neurogenesis and patterning cerebral cortex folds.