Antoine Hocher
@ahocher.bsky.social
Group Leader, Molecular mimicry / chromatin evolution / engineering
Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge. Wellcome Trust CDA fellow
https://www.gen.cam.ac.uk/research/research-groups/hocher-group
Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge. Wellcome Trust CDA fellow
https://www.gen.cam.ac.uk/research/research-groups/hocher-group
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
Sign up now for the EMBO Workshop "#MolecularBiology of #Archaea: Life Through the Prism of Archaea" in Cambridge, UK, 6–10 July 2026.
Deadline: 15 April
https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-archaea
#EMBOArchaeaBiology #EMBOevents #CellBiology #StructuralBiology #ecology #evolution #biophysics 🧪
Deadline: 15 April
https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-archaea
#EMBOArchaeaBiology #EMBOevents #CellBiology #StructuralBiology #ecology #evolution #biophysics 🧪
December 17, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Sign up now for the EMBO Workshop "#MolecularBiology of #Archaea: Life Through the Prism of Archaea" in Cambridge, UK, 6–10 July 2026.
Deadline: 15 April
https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-archaea
#EMBOArchaeaBiology #EMBOevents #CellBiology #StructuralBiology #ecology #evolution #biophysics 🧪
Deadline: 15 April
https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-archaea
#EMBOArchaeaBiology #EMBOevents #CellBiology #StructuralBiology #ecology #evolution #biophysics 🧪
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
We are recruiting a PhD student to tackle a fundamental question in cancer biology: how DNA replication fails at centromeres and drives chromosomal instability (CIN) — a major driver of tumour evolution and therapy resistance.
tiny.cc/vilw001
#PhD #CancerResearch #GenomeStability #Chromatin
tiny.cc/vilw001
#PhD #CancerResearch #GenomeStability #Chromatin
PhD Studentship: Understanding How Centromere Replication Fails in Cancer Imperial College London & The Institute of Cancer Research (CRUK Convergence Science Centre) at Institute of Cancer Research o...
PhD Project - PhD Studentship: Understanding How Centromere Replication Fails in Cancer Imperial College London & The Institute of Cancer Research (CRUK Convergence Science Centre) at Institute of...
www.findaphd.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:46 PM
We are recruiting a PhD student to tackle a fundamental question in cancer biology: how DNA replication fails at centromeres and drives chromosomal instability (CIN) — a major driver of tumour evolution and therapy resistance.
tiny.cc/vilw001
#PhD #CancerResearch #GenomeStability #Chromatin
tiny.cc/vilw001
#PhD #CancerResearch #GenomeStability #Chromatin
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
Born #OnThisDay in 1922, Esther Lederberg was the first to isolate the lambda phage in 1951. She characterised the lysogenic phase, whereby the phage are able to integrate into the bacterial genome, staying dormant. This discovery made them a model tool of study, leading to many more breakthroughs.
December 18, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Born #OnThisDay in 1922, Esther Lederberg was the first to isolate the lambda phage in 1951. She characterised the lysogenic phase, whereby the phage are able to integrate into the bacterial genome, staying dormant. This discovery made them a model tool of study, leading to many more breakthroughs.
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
💥 alert article 💥
New preprint from the lab !!! 🥳
In this work, we explore the 3D genome architecture of the virulent phage PAK_P3 during its infection cycle in P. Aeruginosa. We unveil a highly dynamic structuration as well as specific interactions patterns.
www.biorxiv.org/content/bior...
New preprint from the lab !!! 🥳
In this work, we explore the 3D genome architecture of the virulent phage PAK_P3 during its infection cycle in P. Aeruginosa. We unveil a highly dynamic structuration as well as specific interactions patterns.
www.biorxiv.org/content/bior...
www.biorxiv.org
December 17, 2025 at 7:14 AM
💥 alert article 💥
New preprint from the lab !!! 🥳
In this work, we explore the 3D genome architecture of the virulent phage PAK_P3 during its infection cycle in P. Aeruginosa. We unveil a highly dynamic structuration as well as specific interactions patterns.
www.biorxiv.org/content/bior...
New preprint from the lab !!! 🥳
In this work, we explore the 3D genome architecture of the virulent phage PAK_P3 during its infection cycle in P. Aeruginosa. We unveil a highly dynamic structuration as well as specific interactions patterns.
www.biorxiv.org/content/bior...
Are you a long-time fan of Archaea, an extremophile-phile, or are you simply curious?
Either way, we have good news.
We’re delighted to announce the 2026 EMBO Workshop on Archaea, 6–10 July.
Sign up: meetings.embo.org/event/26-arc...
We look forward to seeing you in Cambridge, UK
Please repost!!
Either way, we have good news.
We’re delighted to announce the 2026 EMBO Workshop on Archaea, 6–10 July.
Sign up: meetings.embo.org/event/26-arc...
We look forward to seeing you in Cambridge, UK
Please repost!!
meetings.embo.org
December 16, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Are you a long-time fan of Archaea, an extremophile-phile, or are you simply curious?
Either way, we have good news.
We’re delighted to announce the 2026 EMBO Workshop on Archaea, 6–10 July.
Sign up: meetings.embo.org/event/26-arc...
We look forward to seeing you in Cambridge, UK
Please repost!!
Either way, we have good news.
We’re delighted to announce the 2026 EMBO Workshop on Archaea, 6–10 July.
Sign up: meetings.embo.org/event/26-arc...
We look forward to seeing you in Cambridge, UK
Please repost!!
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
Bacterial genomes encode a rich repertoire of antiphage systems, but we still know surprisingly little about when these systems are actually expressed.
In this preprint, Lucas Paoli et al, ask what shapes antiphage systems expression in native contexts.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
In this preprint, Lucas Paoli et al, ask what shapes antiphage systems expression in native contexts.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Environment and physiology shape antiphage system expression
Bacteria and archaea encode on average ten antiphage systems. Quorum sensing, cellular, or transcription factors can regulate specific systems (CRISPR-Cas, CBASS). Yet, a systematic assessment of anti...
www.biorxiv.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Bacterial genomes encode a rich repertoire of antiphage systems, but we still know surprisingly little about when these systems are actually expressed.
In this preprint, Lucas Paoli et al, ask what shapes antiphage systems expression in native contexts.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
In this preprint, Lucas Paoli et al, ask what shapes antiphage systems expression in native contexts.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
Delighted to share our new preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
We address a longstanding question about the role of the topoisomerase reverse gyrase in hyperthermophiles. Great collaboration with Baranello and @tobiaswarnecke.bsky.social groups. #Archaeasky #Microsky
We address a longstanding question about the role of the topoisomerase reverse gyrase in hyperthermophiles. Great collaboration with Baranello and @tobiaswarnecke.bsky.social groups. #Archaeasky #Microsky
Localised activity of reverse gyrase at gene regulatory elements
DNA topoisomerases are essential enzymes found in all cells, where they regulate DNA supercoiling. Reverse gyrase (RG) is a unique type of topoisomerase that introduces positive supercoils into DNA an...
www.biorxiv.org
December 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Delighted to share our new preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
We address a longstanding question about the role of the topoisomerase reverse gyrase in hyperthermophiles. Great collaboration with Baranello and @tobiaswarnecke.bsky.social groups. #Archaeasky #Microsky
We address a longstanding question about the role of the topoisomerase reverse gyrase in hyperthermophiles. Great collaboration with Baranello and @tobiaswarnecke.bsky.social groups. #Archaeasky #Microsky
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
Treat yourself this Christmas to a registration for the #Shigella2026 meeting in Paris!
🦠 EMBO Workshop Shigella: from biology to prevention
📅 April 20-24, 2026
📍 Institut Pasteur, Paris
Register now ➡️ www.shigella2026.conferences-pasteur.org/home
@embo.org @shigellameeting.bsky.social
📅 April 20-24, 2026
📍 Institut Pasteur, Paris
Register now ➡️ www.shigella2026.conferences-pasteur.org/home
@embo.org @shigellameeting.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Treat yourself this Christmas to a registration for the #Shigella2026 meeting in Paris!
Must read!
Confused by all the histones that are cropping up in organisms that are decidedly NOT eukaryotes? check out our review - fantastic work by team NucEvo in the #Lugerlab
The Expanding Histone Universe: Histone-Based DNA Organization in Noneukaryotic Organisms - www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
The Expanding Histone Universe: Histone-Based DNA Organization in Noneukaryotic Organisms - www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
December 9, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Must read!
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
DAY 182
SPECIES 182 - Pyrolobus fumarii
STAGE: Archaea
MEDIUM: Arches Paper. Chromatek & HWC Watercolor. Tombow pencil. Sakura pen
P. fumarii is a species of archaea known for living and reproducing at extremely high temperatures that kill most organisms.
#sciart #watercolor #archaea #art #paint
SPECIES 182 - Pyrolobus fumarii
STAGE: Archaea
MEDIUM: Arches Paper. Chromatek & HWC Watercolor. Tombow pencil. Sakura pen
P. fumarii is a species of archaea known for living and reproducing at extremely high temperatures that kill most organisms.
#sciart #watercolor #archaea #art #paint
December 4, 2025 at 7:21 AM
DAY 182
SPECIES 182 - Pyrolobus fumarii
STAGE: Archaea
MEDIUM: Arches Paper. Chromatek & HWC Watercolor. Tombow pencil. Sakura pen
P. fumarii is a species of archaea known for living and reproducing at extremely high temperatures that kill most organisms.
#sciart #watercolor #archaea #art #paint
SPECIES 182 - Pyrolobus fumarii
STAGE: Archaea
MEDIUM: Arches Paper. Chromatek & HWC Watercolor. Tombow pencil. Sakura pen
P. fumarii is a species of archaea known for living and reproducing at extremely high temperatures that kill most organisms.
#sciart #watercolor #archaea #art #paint
Our study of the evolution of the ParB NTP binding domain across the Tree of Life is now published! An awesome collaboration with @tunglejic.bsky.social led by @jovanakaljevic.bsky.social at the John Ines Center. Thanks to editors and reviewers. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org
December 5, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Our study of the evolution of the ParB NTP binding domain across the Tree of Life is now published! An awesome collaboration with @tunglejic.bsky.social led by @jovanakaljevic.bsky.social at the John Ines Center. Thanks to editors and reviewers. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
Everybody ready for #EMBOevoChromo25 ?
I, for one, cannot wait. It's like scientific Christmas come early :)
I, for one, cannot wait. It's like scientific Christmas come early :)
December 4, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Everybody ready for #EMBOevoChromo25 ?
I, for one, cannot wait. It's like scientific Christmas come early :)
I, for one, cannot wait. It's like scientific Christmas come early :)
gene names are great but really making sure a unique ID (genbank or consort) is mentioned somewhere in a paper is essential, future us will be thankful
December 2, 2025 at 12:13 PM
gene names are great but really making sure a unique ID (genbank or consort) is mentioned somewhere in a paper is essential, future us will be thankful
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
So much fun! Catch up at 9pm tonight or on BBC Sounds at your leisure www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Stand by your radios at 09:00 UK time! I’ll be on R4’s Start the Week with @adamrutherford.bsky.social talking about CRICK. Also with Alison Bashford talking about science and the occult in the history of palmistry and Charlotte Houldcroft describing her work on DNA viruses.
November 24, 2025 at 7:10 PM
So much fun! Catch up at 9pm tonight or on BBC Sounds at your leisure www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
✨ A study in nature.com from our Faculty at @unikarlova.cuni.cz reveals Solarion arienae, a rare #protist forming a newly identified eukaryotic supersroup Disparia. A unique window into early #eukaryotic cell #evolution. 🌍🔬👏
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
✨ A study in nature.com from our Faculty at @unikarlova.cuni.cz reveals Solarion arienae, a rare #protist forming a newly identified eukaryotic supersroup Disparia. A unique window into early #eukaryotic cell #evolution. 🌍🔬👏
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Chromosome segregation in the highly polyploid archeon Haloferax volcanii was long thought to be random. Turns out a ParA family protein coupled with a non parB protein does the job. Is that one of the few examples of active segregaton of multi copy identical replicons?
Equipositioning of Chromosomes in the Polyploid Archaeon Haloferax volcanii by HpaAB https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.19.689047v1
November 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Chromosome segregation in the highly polyploid archeon Haloferax volcanii was long thought to be random. Turns out a ParA family protein coupled with a non parB protein does the job. Is that one of the few examples of active segregaton of multi copy identical replicons?
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
Equipositioning of Chromosomes in the Polyploid Archaeon Haloferax volcanii by HpaAB https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.19.689047v1
November 19, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Equipositioning of Chromosomes in the Polyploid Archaeon Haloferax volcanii by HpaAB https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.19.689047v1
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
1/6
PhD /PostDoc positions available. Exploration of physiological functions of the cell fusogen Fusexin1 in Archaea.
In a collaborative project between the Albers lab (Freiburg) and the Podbilewicz lab (Technion) starting in January 2026.
PhD /PostDoc positions available. Exploration of physiological functions of the cell fusogen Fusexin1 in Archaea.
In a collaborative project between the Albers lab (Freiburg) and the Podbilewicz lab (Technion) starting in January 2026.
November 12, 2025 at 7:53 AM
1/6
PhD /PostDoc positions available. Exploration of physiological functions of the cell fusogen Fusexin1 in Archaea.
In a collaborative project between the Albers lab (Freiburg) and the Podbilewicz lab (Technion) starting in January 2026.
PhD /PostDoc positions available. Exploration of physiological functions of the cell fusogen Fusexin1 in Archaea.
In a collaborative project between the Albers lab (Freiburg) and the Podbilewicz lab (Technion) starting in January 2026.
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
At this rate of (amazing) papers/preprint, Asgard archaea will have an opposable thumb within next month 😂
November 10, 2025 at 2:37 PM
At this rate of (amazing) papers/preprint, Asgard archaea will have an opposable thumb within next month 😂
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
Excited to share our new preprint on BioRxiv!
A collaborative effort spanning many years and several labs to uncover what the germline chromosomes of Paramecium really look like. 🔗 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
1/5
A collaborative effort spanning many years and several labs to uncover what the germline chromosomes of Paramecium really look like. 🔗 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
1/5
The tiny germline chromosomes of Paramecium aurelia have an exceptionally high recombination rate and are capped by a new class of Helitrons
Background. Paramecia belong to the ciliate phylum of unicellular eukaryotes characterized by nuclear dimorphism. A diploid germline micronucleus (MIC) transmits genetic information across sexual gene...
www.biorxiv.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Excited to share our new preprint on BioRxiv!
A collaborative effort spanning many years and several labs to uncover what the germline chromosomes of Paramecium really look like. 🔗 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
1/5
A collaborative effort spanning many years and several labs to uncover what the germline chromosomes of Paramecium really look like. 🔗 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
1/5
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
End-to-end protein design in the browser through evedesign. Generate and interactively explore designs in 2D/3D and export them as codon-optimized DNA. The underlying open source framework (released soon) is build to easily add new methods, more on that soon.
🌐 evedesign.bio
🌐 evedesign.bio
October 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
End-to-end protein design in the browser through evedesign. Generate and interactively explore designs in 2D/3D and export them as codon-optimized DNA. The underlying open source framework (released soon) is build to easily add new methods, more on that soon.
🌐 evedesign.bio
🌐 evedesign.bio
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
Now published: EnVhogDB, a large database of viral protein family HMM profiles to help functional annotation of new phage genomes - peercommunityjournal.org/articles/10....
EnVhogDB: an extended view of the viral protein families on Earth through a vast collection of HMM profiles
peercommunityjournal.org
October 18, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Now published: EnVhogDB, a large database of viral protein family HMM profiles to help functional annotation of new phage genomes - peercommunityjournal.org/articles/10....
Reposted by Antoine Hocher
1/10 Genome maintenance by telomerase is a fundamental process in nearly all eukaryotes. But where does it come from?
Today, we report the discovery of telomerase homologs in a family of antiviral RTs, revealing an unexpected evolutionary origin in bacteria.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Today, we report the discovery of telomerase homologs in a family of antiviral RTs, revealing an unexpected evolutionary origin in bacteria.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Antiviral reverse transcriptases reveal the evolutionary origin of telomerase
Defense-associated reverse transcriptases (DRTs) employ diverse and distinctive mechanisms of cDNA synthesis to protect bacteria against viral infection. However, much of DRT family diversity remains ...
www.biorxiv.org
October 17, 2025 at 5:22 PM
1/10 Genome maintenance by telomerase is a fundamental process in nearly all eukaryotes. But where does it come from?
Today, we report the discovery of telomerase homologs in a family of antiviral RTs, revealing an unexpected evolutionary origin in bacteria.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Today, we report the discovery of telomerase homologs in a family of antiviral RTs, revealing an unexpected evolutionary origin in bacteria.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
« A key event in any cell’s life is division, when one cell becomes two » best opening, congrats to the team!
Our paper on chromosome segregation in the archaeon Sulfolobus Acidocaldarius has been published in PNAS! This has been a great collaboration with @joeparham19.bsky.social and the rest of @buzzbaum.bsky.social's team. Stay tuned for more to come!😉 @istaresearch.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Temporal and spatial coordination of DNA segregation and cell division in an archaeon | PNAS
Cells must coordinate DNA segregation with cytokinesis to ensure that each daughter
cell inherits a complete genome. Here, we explore how DNA segre...
doi.org
October 17, 2025 at 8:08 AM
« A key event in any cell’s life is division, when one cell becomes two » best opening, congrats to the team!