Arif Ashraf
@aribidopsis.bsky.social
Assistant professor of Botany at the University of British Columbia. My lab works on cell division and beyond.
Lab website: https://www.ashraflab.com/
Lab website: https://www.ashraflab.com/
Pinned
Arif Ashraf
@aribidopsis.bsky.social
· Oct 10
Massive news for the lab 🎉🎉🎉
We received Canada Foundation for Innovation - CFI's JELF (John R. Evans Leaders Fund) grant!
Thanks to the team, office of research @science.ubc.ca, and colleagues @ubcbotany.bsky.social for the generous help and support.
www.innovation.ca/news/jelf-cf...
We received Canada Foundation for Innovation - CFI's JELF (John R. Evans Leaders Fund) grant!
Thanks to the team, office of research @science.ubc.ca, and colleagues @ubcbotany.bsky.social for the generous help and support.
www.innovation.ca/news/jelf-cf...
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
Check out our new work published in Plant Physiology utilizing an optimized BONCAT approach to understand Arabidopsis protein production!
Outstanding work led by graduate student Nick Hassan.
The work promises exciting new opportunities for plant science!
academic.oup.com/plphys/advan...
Outstanding work led by graduate student Nick Hassan.
The work promises exciting new opportunities for plant science!
academic.oup.com/plphys/advan...
Validate User
academic.oup.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Check out our new work published in Plant Physiology utilizing an optimized BONCAT approach to understand Arabidopsis protein production!
Outstanding work led by graduate student Nick Hassan.
The work promises exciting new opportunities for plant science!
academic.oup.com/plphys/advan...
Outstanding work led by graduate student Nick Hassan.
The work promises exciting new opportunities for plant science!
academic.oup.com/plphys/advan...
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
Finally out! We measured mutations in tetraploid potato. Highlights:
- higher mutation rates in L1 than L2
- even higher rates and a distinct oxidative stress signature outside of meristems
- lower mutation rates in genes everywhere we looked
More 👇
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2514507122
- higher mutation rates in L1 than L2
- even higher rates and a distinct oxidative stress signature outside of meristems
- lower mutation rates in genes everywhere we looked
More 👇
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2514507122
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Finally out! We measured mutations in tetraploid potato. Highlights:
- higher mutation rates in L1 than L2
- even higher rates and a distinct oxidative stress signature outside of meristems
- lower mutation rates in genes everywhere we looked
More 👇
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2514507122
- higher mutation rates in L1 than L2
- even higher rates and a distinct oxidative stress signature outside of meristems
- lower mutation rates in genes everywhere we looked
More 👇
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2514507122
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
Diversification in environmental responses enabled by duplicated grass stomatal regulator SPCH
Erberich et al. @stanfordstomata@bluesky
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/TPBU7P...
Erberich et al. @stanfordstomata@bluesky
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/TPBU7P...
November 10, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Diversification in environmental responses enabled by duplicated grass stomatal regulator SPCH
Erberich et al. @stanfordstomata@bluesky
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/TPBU7P...
Erberich et al. @stanfordstomata@bluesky
nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/TPBU7P...
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
Ru Zhang, PhD, will lead a team of scientists in a new NSF-funded project that aims to find out how plant cells retain memory of heat stress.
Learn how their work could help future crops adapt to heat: https://loom.ly/F214Eco
Learn how their work could help future crops adapt to heat: https://loom.ly/F214Eco
Collaborative Research Team to Uncover How Plants “Remember” and Adapt to Heat Stress - Danforth Plant Science Center
A new collaborative research team of plant scientists led by Ru Zhang, PhD, associate member, Danforth Plant Science Center has been awarded new funding from the National Science Foundation to investigate how photosynthetic cells retain “heat stress memory” (HSM), a key adaptive mechanism that could help future crops withstand intense and frequent heat waves.
www.danforthcenter.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Ru Zhang, PhD, will lead a team of scientists in a new NSF-funded project that aims to find out how plant cells retain memory of heat stress.
Learn how their work could help future crops adapt to heat: https://loom.ly/F214Eco
Learn how their work could help future crops adapt to heat: https://loom.ly/F214Eco
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
We are pleased to announce that @tatsuyanobori.bsky.social has won the Young Investigator Award by the Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists.
The award ceremony and the recipient's lecture will take place at the next Tokyo Annual Meeting on 14 March 2026.
buff.ly/pemelQu
The award ceremony and the recipient's lecture will take place at the next Tokyo Annual Meeting on 14 March 2026.
buff.ly/pemelQu
November 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
We are pleased to announce that @tatsuyanobori.bsky.social has won the Young Investigator Award by the Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists.
The award ceremony and the recipient's lecture will take place at the next Tokyo Annual Meeting on 14 March 2026.
buff.ly/pemelQu
The award ceremony and the recipient's lecture will take place at the next Tokyo Annual Meeting on 14 March 2026.
buff.ly/pemelQu
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
Also happy to say that Arabidopsis epidermal cells make the cover of @theplantjournal.bsky.social for the issue with our paper, showing that nitrate availability impacts pectin metabolism and cell wall mechanics for growth 🌱
Check the work here 👉 doi.org/10.1111/tpj....
Check the work here 👉 doi.org/10.1111/tpj....
November 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Also happy to say that Arabidopsis epidermal cells make the cover of @theplantjournal.bsky.social for the issue with our paper, showing that nitrate availability impacts pectin metabolism and cell wall mechanics for growth 🌱
Check the work here 👉 doi.org/10.1111/tpj....
Check the work here 👉 doi.org/10.1111/tpj....
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
Our new review in Science @science.org is out with @jennyrussinova.bsky.social and @nvukas.bsky.social. We discuss how precise modulation of brassinosteroid signaling can enable more targeted, predictable improvements in plant growth and resilience.
science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu9798
science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu9798
November 7, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Our new review in Science @science.org is out with @jennyrussinova.bsky.social and @nvukas.bsky.social. We discuss how precise modulation of brassinosteroid signaling can enable more targeted, predictable improvements in plant growth and resilience.
science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu9798
science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu9798
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
Check out this new paper on the Arabidopsis MLS8 channel and its importance for oscillatory growth
and cell wall dynamics in pollen tubes!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
and cell wall dynamics in pollen tubes!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Mechanosensitive ion channel MSL8 is required for oscillatory growth and cell wall dynamics in Arabidopsis pollen tubes - Plant Reproduction
The male gametophyte in flowering plants, pollen, both performs the critical role of fertilization and represents a unique and accessible system for interrogating plant cell mechanics. A key component...
link.springer.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Check out this new paper on the Arabidopsis MLS8 channel and its importance for oscillatory growth
and cell wall dynamics in pollen tubes!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
and cell wall dynamics in pollen tubes!
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
I love finding a paper published years ago (5, 10, 15, 20) that isn't famous or field changing or has a ton of citations but when you read it is just awesome. Like, beautifully designed & executed & written. Best part is that there are so many papers like that lurking in the literature.
November 6, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I love finding a paper published years ago (5, 10, 15, 20) that isn't famous or field changing or has a ton of citations but when you read it is just awesome. Like, beautifully designed & executed & written. Best part is that there are so many papers like that lurking in the literature.
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
Just under a month left—apply by December 5 through the link on my website!
PhD or Master's position available for Fall 2026!
Interested in how actin drives cell crawling, eating, dividing, or osmoregulation? What about pathogenesis of a brain-eating amoeba? Or eukaryotic evolution? If so, apply through my website: katrinavelle.wixsite.com/science/cont...
Please share!
Interested in how actin drives cell crawling, eating, dividing, or osmoregulation? What about pathogenesis of a brain-eating amoeba? Or eukaryotic evolution? If so, apply through my website: katrinavelle.wixsite.com/science/cont...
Please share!
November 6, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Just under a month left—apply by December 5 through the link on my website!
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
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 Arif Ashraf
Watch the Community Impact Awards Presentations!
Times: 5:20-15:06: Jose Dinneny.
19:35-30:07: Jade Bleau.
33:30-15:06: Joanna Friesner.
46:40-1:01: Q&A by Mary Gehring
@jadebleau.bsky.social @jfriesner.bsky.social @josedinneny.bsky.social
@stanfordstomata.bsky.social @spoel-lab.bsky.social
Times: 5:20-15:06: Jose Dinneny.
19:35-30:07: Jade Bleau.
33:30-15:06: Joanna Friesner.
46:40-1:01: Q&A by Mary Gehring
@jadebleau.bsky.social @jfriesner.bsky.social @josedinneny.bsky.social
@stanfordstomata.bsky.social @spoel-lab.bsky.social
2025 Community Impact Awards: Jose Dinneny, Jade Bleau & Joanna Friesner
YouTube video by NAASC
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Watch the Community Impact Awards Presentations!
Times: 5:20-15:06: Jose Dinneny.
19:35-30:07: Jade Bleau.
33:30-15:06: Joanna Friesner.
46:40-1:01: Q&A by Mary Gehring
@jadebleau.bsky.social @jfriesner.bsky.social @josedinneny.bsky.social
@stanfordstomata.bsky.social @spoel-lab.bsky.social
Times: 5:20-15:06: Jose Dinneny.
19:35-30:07: Jade Bleau.
33:30-15:06: Joanna Friesner.
46:40-1:01: Q&A by Mary Gehring
@jadebleau.bsky.social @jfriesner.bsky.social @josedinneny.bsky.social
@stanfordstomata.bsky.social @spoel-lab.bsky.social
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
My stellar MSc student John Hubensky fabulously defended his thesis! 🎉
His research taught us about TPPs & their role in drought tolerance, & genetics of spike development.
Thanks @NSERC_CRSNG @SaskWheat @mb_cropalliance for the funding & @westerngrains for scholarship to John.
His research taught us about TPPs & their role in drought tolerance, & genetics of spike development.
Thanks @NSERC_CRSNG @SaskWheat @mb_cropalliance for the funding & @westerngrains for scholarship to John.
October 31, 2025 at 6:05 PM
My stellar MSc student John Hubensky fabulously defended his thesis! 🎉
His research taught us about TPPs & their role in drought tolerance, & genetics of spike development.
Thanks @NSERC_CRSNG @SaskWheat @mb_cropalliance for the funding & @westerngrains for scholarship to John.
His research taught us about TPPs & their role in drought tolerance, & genetics of spike development.
Thanks @NSERC_CRSNG @SaskWheat @mb_cropalliance for the funding & @westerngrains for scholarship to John.
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
What a gem from @dudinlab.bsky.social @gautamdey.bsky.social @centriolelab.bsky.social in Cell! Expansion microscopy atlas of >200 eukaryotes comparing cytoskeletal architectures revealing structures not seen before. Stunning visualisation! Exactly the kind of transformative cell biology we need.
October 31, 2025 at 5:45 PM
What a gem from @dudinlab.bsky.social @gautamdey.bsky.social @centriolelab.bsky.social in Cell! Expansion microscopy atlas of >200 eukaryotes comparing cytoskeletal architectures revealing structures not seen before. Stunning visualisation! Exactly the kind of transformative cell biology we need.
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
Dam, Moreno, Brownlow, @longchrom.bsky.social et al. @igbmc.bsky.social identify Srs2 as a key mediator of abscission inhibition in yeast and show that its human paralog PARI regulates abscission-associated events. rupress.org/jcb/article/...
#Cytokinesis
#Cytokinesis
October 31, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Dam, Moreno, Brownlow, @longchrom.bsky.social et al. @igbmc.bsky.social identify Srs2 as a key mediator of abscission inhibition in yeast and show that its human paralog PARI regulates abscission-associated events. rupress.org/jcb/article/...
#Cytokinesis
#Cytokinesis
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
🚨Our collaboration with @centriolelab.bsky.social & @gautamdey.bsky.social is out today in @cp-cell.bsky.social
We show that #Expansion #Microscopy is a broad-spectrum modality for Euks, enabling 3D phenotypic maps rooted to phylogeny.
#ProtistsOnSky #SciComm #SciSky
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
We show that #Expansion #Microscopy is a broad-spectrum modality for Euks, enabling 3D phenotypic maps rooted to phylogeny.
#ProtistsOnSky #SciComm #SciSky
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
October 31, 2025 at 2:42 PM
🚨Our collaboration with @centriolelab.bsky.social & @gautamdey.bsky.social is out today in @cp-cell.bsky.social
We show that #Expansion #Microscopy is a broad-spectrum modality for Euks, enabling 3D phenotypic maps rooted to phylogeny.
#ProtistsOnSky #SciComm #SciSky
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
We show that #Expansion #Microscopy is a broad-spectrum modality for Euks, enabling 3D phenotypic maps rooted to phylogeny.
#ProtistsOnSky #SciComm #SciSky
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
I am beyond thrilled (like the screaming and jumping type of thrilled) that my SNSF Starting Grant was funded. I will start my own lab @unibe.ch next year, studying succulent anatomy development and if and how this anatomy is required for efficient CAM photosynthesis in different Kalanchoë species 🌱
October 31, 2025 at 12:41 PM
I am beyond thrilled (like the screaming and jumping type of thrilled) that my SNSF Starting Grant was funded. I will start my own lab @unibe.ch next year, studying succulent anatomy development and if and how this anatomy is required for efficient CAM photosynthesis in different Kalanchoë species 🌱
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
New update from the lab
Arabidopsis DXO1 is an evolutionarily diverged homolog that impacts ribosome loading and mRNA surveillance https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.29.684918v1
October 31, 2025 at 12:10 AM
New update from the lab
🔬🍀
Rab5 GTPases mediate the targeting of ROP signalling to establish polarity for pollen germination @natplants.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Rab5 GTPases mediate the targeting of ROP signalling to establish polarity for pollen germination @natplants.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 30, 2025 at 5:14 PM
🔬🍀
Rab5 GTPases mediate the targeting of ROP signalling to establish polarity for pollen germination @natplants.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Rab5 GTPases mediate the targeting of ROP signalling to establish polarity for pollen germination @natplants.nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
We are looking for a colleague to join us at RWTH Aachen University:
🌱 Full Professor in Stress Resilience of Plants (W3 tenured)
📌What are we looking for? Someone working with us strategically at the interface of plant biology/ physiology/ resilience
#academicjobs #facultyjobs #PlantJobs
1/4
🌱 Full Professor in Stress Resilience of Plants (W3 tenured)
📌What are we looking for? Someone working with us strategically at the interface of plant biology/ physiology/ resilience
#academicjobs #facultyjobs #PlantJobs
1/4
October 30, 2025 at 12:03 PM
We are looking for a colleague to join us at RWTH Aachen University:
🌱 Full Professor in Stress Resilience of Plants (W3 tenured)
📌What are we looking for? Someone working with us strategically at the interface of plant biology/ physiology/ resilience
#academicjobs #facultyjobs #PlantJobs
1/4
🌱 Full Professor in Stress Resilience of Plants (W3 tenured)
📌What are we looking for? Someone working with us strategically at the interface of plant biology/ physiology/ resilience
#academicjobs #facultyjobs #PlantJobs
1/4
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
New @genomejournal.bsky.social special collection “Early Leads: Plant Biology Side Projects with Big Potential”. We’re looking for short, self-contained studies with big impact. Deadline July 31st, 2026. OA, no pub. fees, ECRs!
Questions? Reach out to us (Olivia and @zoejolylopez.bsky.social)
Questions? Reach out to us (Olivia and @zoejolylopez.bsky.social)
October 30, 2025 at 2:11 PM
New @genomejournal.bsky.social special collection “Early Leads: Plant Biology Side Projects with Big Potential”. We’re looking for short, self-contained studies with big impact. Deadline July 31st, 2026. OA, no pub. fees, ECRs!
Questions? Reach out to us (Olivia and @zoejolylopez.bsky.social)
Questions? Reach out to us (Olivia and @zoejolylopez.bsky.social)
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
🌿🌱 We’re hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor (potentially open rank) at the Institute of Plant Sciences
@unibe.ch in Plant Population Ecology 🌻🌳
Be our colleague and join us in beautiful Bern, Switzerland
Apply by Jan 23 2026 👉 ohws.prospective.ch/public/v1/jo...
@unibe.ch in Plant Population Ecology 🌻🌳
Be our colleague and join us in beautiful Bern, Switzerland
Apply by Jan 23 2026 👉 ohws.prospective.ch/public/v1/jo...
October 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
🌿🌱 We’re hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor (potentially open rank) at the Institute of Plant Sciences
@unibe.ch in Plant Population Ecology 🌻🌳
Be our colleague and join us in beautiful Bern, Switzerland
Apply by Jan 23 2026 👉 ohws.prospective.ch/public/v1/jo...
@unibe.ch in Plant Population Ecology 🌻🌳
Be our colleague and join us in beautiful Bern, Switzerland
Apply by Jan 23 2026 👉 ohws.prospective.ch/public/v1/jo...
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
Come work with us!!
We have a great group of plant biologists already, and there are FOUR searches for new plant biologists of different flavours across campus. We also have an outstanding group of animal physiologists (including @mstager.bsky.social ). Please apply!!
We have a great group of plant biologists already, and there are FOUR searches for new plant biologists of different flavours across campus. We also have an outstanding group of animal physiologists (including @mstager.bsky.social ). Please apply!!
Just a few days left to apply to our TT position in Plant Physiology in the Dept. of Biology @UMassAmherst! Join a great group of plant scientists (and physiologists 😉) AND fall in love with small town New England! Please repost. careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-u...
Details - Assistant Professor - Plant Physiology | Human Resources | UMass Amherst
careers.umass.edu
October 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Come work with us!!
We have a great group of plant biologists already, and there are FOUR searches for new plant biologists of different flavours across campus. We also have an outstanding group of animal physiologists (including @mstager.bsky.social ). Please apply!!
We have a great group of plant biologists already, and there are FOUR searches for new plant biologists of different flavours across campus. We also have an outstanding group of animal physiologists (including @mstager.bsky.social ). Please apply!!
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
UBC Science is hiring a Digital Communications Specialist to enhance our online presence and reputation by creating inspirational web and other digital content, and support the development and operation of the Faculty’s digital communication initiatives and channels.
bit.ly/4hwWZn2
bit.ly/4hwWZn2
October 28, 2025 at 5:19 PM
UBC Science is hiring a Digital Communications Specialist to enhance our online presence and reputation by creating inspirational web and other digital content, and support the development and operation of the Faculty’s digital communication initiatives and channels.
bit.ly/4hwWZn2
bit.ly/4hwWZn2
Reposted by Arif Ashraf
Hey plant developmental biologists! Want to do great science with a great guy in a great place? @oconnord.bsky.social is looking for a postdoc to join his lab at Colorado State:
oconnorlab.colostate.edu/wp-content/u...
#devbio #plantscience #botany #bioimaging #microscopy
oconnorlab.colostate.edu/wp-content/u...
#devbio #plantscience #botany #bioimaging #microscopy
October 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Hey plant developmental biologists! Want to do great science with a great guy in a great place? @oconnord.bsky.social is looking for a postdoc to join his lab at Colorado State:
oconnorlab.colostate.edu/wp-content/u...
#devbio #plantscience #botany #bioimaging #microscopy
oconnorlab.colostate.edu/wp-content/u...
#devbio #plantscience #botany #bioimaging #microscopy