Molecular Biology

Cell researcher and author Katharina Vestre joins Gaute Einevoll for a Norwegian-language conversation about the cells that build the human body. They explore how diverse cells, from muscle fibres to red blood cells, cooperate while sharing a common organisation of membranes and organelles. The discussion considers how that internal machinery allows cells to survive, perform specialised functions and divide, drawing on Vestre’s book about cellular life.

Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove and Brianne Barker discuss a newly identified mechanism for RNA-guided DNA recognition and genetic control that may predate CRISPR pathways. They also examine research proposing that features of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology could have originated as a host response to infection in the brain, including evidence concerning phosphorylated tau and herpesvirus activity. The episode connects ancient molecular recognition mechanisms with questions about antiviral defence.

Paul Bieniasz joins Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove and Kathy Spindler to discuss his laboratory’s research on coronavirus genetic variation. The conversation examines how the NSP15 nuclease cuts viral RNA into short pieces that can be reinserted elsewhere, producing insertion mutations and new furin-cleavage sites at the spike S1/S2 boundary. The episode links the underlying preprint and includes listener correspondence and weekly selections.

An audio feature examining research on DNA damage, repair and ageing. The episode explores evidence that inadequate repair contributes to age-related biological changes, and scientific efforts to test whether improving repair can extend healthy life. Nature published this episode on 2 September 2026.

EMBL offers support for external independent scientists to spend three to six months at one of its six sites, working with an EMBL group or team leader. The scheme supports scientific exchange and transfer of expertise across molecular biology and related research. Awards reimburse eligible additional costs, up to EUR 15,000. Applicants may be based anywhere, but must retain employment and salary from their home institution. The host submits the jointly prepared application through the linked Workday opportunity. This round opened on 1 September and closes on 9 October 2026.

Two faculty appointments in the Laboratory of Phytopathology will develop new approaches to plant–pathogen interactions, disease resilience and pathogen adaptation. Relevant directions include theoretical phytopathology, predictive modelling, quantitative immunity and structural biology. The roles combine research funding, teaching, supervision, collaboration and staff mentoring within the university’s Professor Career Paths framework. Apply online by 10 October inclusive; applications are reviewed regularly and posts may fill earlier.

Study the transition from normal blood stem cells to leukaemic stem cells and identify mechanisms that enable disease progression and therapeutic evasion. The project uses patient material and experimental approaches in cell and molecular biology, with opportunities to integrate omics and functional perturbation. This full-time temporary post is in Petter Woll’s research group. Apply by 11 October 2026.

FAPESP-supported postdoctoral fellowship in São Paulo investigating malaria drug discovery and cellular signalling. The project studies new molecular targets, GPCR-like receptors and therapeutic strategies against Plasmodium falciparum. One position is advertised under project 2023/07656-0. Applicants should send a CV and cover or motivation letter describing relevant experience to the investigator listed on the official opportunity page by 12 October.

Join Melanie Chan’s Renal Genomics group at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences on Imperial’s Hammersmith campus. The project investigates gene-regulatory networks in kidney and urinary-tract development and how their disruption causes congenital anomalies. Establish iPSC-derived kidney and ureteric-bud organoids, perturb candidate regulatory elements using CRISPR interference, and profile effects with single-nucleus multiomics, CUT&RUN and low-input chromosome-conformation capture. Work combines experimental testing with collaboration with bioinformaticians and clinicians and offers training in organoid models and single-cell analysis. The appointment is full-time and fixed-term for three years, with a flexible start around 1 December 2026. It is based on site; salary is £50,733–£59,484 annually. Applications close on 13 October 2026.

This EMBO–EMBL symposium connects the molecular machinery of DNA replication with genome stability and human disease. It examines replisome structure and dynamics, control of origin firing across tissues, chromatin and epigenome maintenance, chromosome organisation, replication-fork protection and repair, and the consequences of replication stress for development, ageing and cancer. The programme links mechanistic advances to cancer biology and possible therapeutic approaches. All programme times are Europe/Berlin. Opening remarks on 20 October begin at 13:30, followed by the keynote at 13:45. Scientific sessions begin at 09:00 on 21–23 October; closing remarks on 23 October run from 12:45 to 13:00. Virtual registration closes on 13 October; on-site registration and abstract submission have closed. Virtual fees are EUR 190 for PhD students, EUR 240 for academia and EUR 290 for industry. Attendance includes livestreams, questions and four weeks of recordings where speakers permit. Use the organizer’s virtual registration link on the event page.

This EMBO–EMBL symposium examines how messenger and non-coding RNAs transmit and regulate genetic information. It connects transcription, processing and modification, export and localisation, surveillance and decay, translation, and coupling between these processes. Sessions cover co-transcriptional and co-translational biology, RNA processing, RNP condensates, structure and regulation, and pathogens and therapeutics. The programme uses Europe/Berlin time: opening remarks on 13 October at 20:00, followed by the first keynote at 20:15; sessions begin at 09:00 on 14–15 October and 10:00 on 16 October, with closing remarks at 17:45. Virtual registration closes on 6 October; on-site registration and abstract submission have closed. Virtual fees are EUR 190 for PhD students, EUR 240 for academia and EUR 290 for industry. Virtual attendance provides livestreams, questions and four weeks of recorded talks, except recordings withheld by speakers. Use the organizer’s virtual registration link on the event page.

This webinar explains how researchers can retrieve and analyse protein information using UniProt. It demonstrates advanced queries, BLAST searches, peptide searches, and multiple-sequence alignments, including how to navigate outputs and use functional annotations to interpret them. It also discusses how identifiers, ontologies, and controlled vocabularies organize biological knowledge, and how identifier mapping connects resources. The session is suitable for scientists at any career stage who want to use UniProt or extend their existing skills; undergraduate-level biology knowledge is helpful.