Berta Verd
@bertaverd.bsky.social
Evolution of developmental processes.
Associate Professor @OxfordBiology & Fellow @JesusOxford.
@SteventonLab, @CRGenomica & #embryo17 alumna.
Working mother.
Associate Professor @OxfordBiology & Fellow @JesusOxford.
@SteventonLab, @CRGenomica & #embryo17 alumna.
Working mother.
Pinned
Congratulations to the new cohort of 28 EMBO Young Investigators! They are joining an international network of more than 800 life scientists – Welcome!
Read the press release here:
https://www.embo.org/press-releases/twenty-eight-group-leaders-become-embo-young-investigators/
Read the press release here:
https://www.embo.org/press-releases/twenty-eight-group-leaders-become-embo-young-investigators/
I am so happy to have been accepted into the EMBO YIP community! Looking forward to making the most of it over the next four years. Thanks for having me!
Reposted by Berta Verd
Lovely little pre-Christmas present to see this out @natcellbio.nature.com! Some 🔥 new results in here since the biorvix incl (1) a new RARE-GFP reporter ✳️🙌, (2) additional NMP quantification 🔢, (3) no neural tube patterning on RA inhibition 🙅 etc. Enjoy! 😍 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Modelling co-development between the somites and neural tube in human trunk-like structures - Nature Cell Biology
Makwana, Tilley et al. generate human stem cell-based trunk-like structures approximating Carnegie stage 13–14 of development. They use them to model and study the development of the thoracic and lumbar trunk.
www.nature.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Lovely little pre-Christmas present to see this out @natcellbio.nature.com! Some 🔥 new results in here since the biorvix incl (1) a new RARE-GFP reporter ✳️🙌, (2) additional NMP quantification 🔢, (3) no neural tube patterning on RA inhibition 🙅 etc. Enjoy! 😍 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Berta Verd
Absolutely delighted to share that I have been awarded a Kennedy Trust Research Ignition Award with my colleague Dr Ruby Peters from Sheffield to develop a new label-free/AI-driven method for measuring tissue stiffness as a diagnostic and prognostic tool !! 🧬🔬💻⚙️
www.kennedy.ox.ac.uk/news/researc...
www.kennedy.ox.ac.uk/news/researc...
Researchers win prestigious Kennedy Trust grant awards
Two Kennedy researchers have been awarded highly competitive Kennedy Trust Transition Fellowships, supporting their journey towards independent research leadership, and another receiving a Research Ig...
www.kennedy.ox.ac.uk
December 12, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Absolutely delighted to share that I have been awarded a Kennedy Trust Research Ignition Award with my colleague Dr Ruby Peters from Sheffield to develop a new label-free/AI-driven method for measuring tissue stiffness as a diagnostic and prognostic tool !! 🧬🔬💻⚙️
www.kennedy.ox.ac.uk/news/researc...
www.kennedy.ox.ac.uk/news/researc...
Reposted by Berta Verd
O little town of Oxford,
How still we see thee lie.
But above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
Complex thoughts go by.
Still not convinced? Don't worry, you have all Christmas to 'mull' it over. Closes 12 January.
Full details of the role: www.maths.ox.ac.uk/node/74844
How still we see thee lie.
But above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
Complex thoughts go by.
Still not convinced? Don't worry, you have all Christmas to 'mull' it over. Closes 12 January.
Full details of the role: www.maths.ox.ac.uk/node/74844
December 8, 2025 at 12:29 PM
O little town of Oxford,
How still we see thee lie.
But above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
Complex thoughts go by.
Still not convinced? Don't worry, you have all Christmas to 'mull' it over. Closes 12 January.
Full details of the role: www.maths.ox.ac.uk/node/74844
How still we see thee lie.
But above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
Complex thoughts go by.
Still not convinced? Don't worry, you have all Christmas to 'mull' it over. Closes 12 January.
Full details of the role: www.maths.ox.ac.uk/node/74844
Reposted by Berta Verd
🔬 Call to create junior research groups at the Institut Pasteur
Focus: Infectious diseases, host-microbe interactions, vaccines
Special interest: AI methodologies
📅 Deadline: Feb 9, 2026
👥 2-12 years post-PhD
Apply now 📝 research.pasteur.fr/en/call/crea...
#JobOpportunity #Research
Focus: Infectious diseases, host-microbe interactions, vaccines
Special interest: AI methodologies
📅 Deadline: Feb 9, 2026
👥 2-12 years post-PhD
Apply now 📝 research.pasteur.fr/en/call/crea...
#JobOpportunity #Research
Creation of new junior research groups at the Institut Pasteur - Call for applications 2026 - Research
The Institut Pasteur is launching an international call to recruit new junior research group leaders leveraging cutting-edge transdisciplinary approaches to exploring infectious diseases, host-microbe...
research.pasteur.fr
December 8, 2025 at 8:53 AM
🔬 Call to create junior research groups at the Institut Pasteur
Focus: Infectious diseases, host-microbe interactions, vaccines
Special interest: AI methodologies
📅 Deadline: Feb 9, 2026
👥 2-12 years post-PhD
Apply now 📝 research.pasteur.fr/en/call/crea...
#JobOpportunity #Research
Focus: Infectious diseases, host-microbe interactions, vaccines
Special interest: AI methodologies
📅 Deadline: Feb 9, 2026
👥 2-12 years post-PhD
Apply now 📝 research.pasteur.fr/en/call/crea...
#JobOpportunity #Research
Reposted by Berta Verd
Philosophy group at Wageningen University is hiring an Assistant Professor in the Philosophy of the Life Sciences. Position is in the Philosophy (PHI) group led by @rachelankeny.bsky.social Deadline is 12 January 2026
www.wur.nl/en/vacancy/a...
#philsci #philjobs #philsky #hpbio
www.wur.nl/en/vacancy/a...
#philsci #philjobs #philsky #hpbio
Assistant Professor in Philosophy of the Life Sciences
Are you seeking a challenging role in a nurturing and collegial setting that supports rigorous philosophical teaching and research as well as opportunities for productive collaborations with social an...
www.wur.nl
December 8, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Philosophy group at Wageningen University is hiring an Assistant Professor in the Philosophy of the Life Sciences. Position is in the Philosophy (PHI) group led by @rachelankeny.bsky.social Deadline is 12 January 2026
www.wur.nl/en/vacancy/a...
#philsci #philjobs #philsky #hpbio
www.wur.nl/en/vacancy/a...
#philsci #philjobs #philsky #hpbio
Reposted by Berta Verd
Come to be our colleague! Center of Paris, excellent facilities, research spanning the whole range of basic and biomedical life science topics, enthusiastic and collaborative colleagues, crème brûlée every Friday... What else could one want?
🔬 Call to create junior research groups at the Institut Pasteur
Focus: Infectious diseases, host-microbe interactions, vaccines
Special interest: AI methodologies
📅 Deadline: Feb 9, 2026
👥 2-12 years post-PhD
Apply now 📝 research.pasteur.fr/en/call/crea...
#JobOpportunity #Research
Focus: Infectious diseases, host-microbe interactions, vaccines
Special interest: AI methodologies
📅 Deadline: Feb 9, 2026
👥 2-12 years post-PhD
Apply now 📝 research.pasteur.fr/en/call/crea...
#JobOpportunity #Research
Creation of new junior research groups at the Institut Pasteur - Call for applications 2026 - Research
The Institut Pasteur is launching an international call to recruit new junior research group leaders leveraging cutting-edge transdisciplinary approaches to exploring infectious diseases, host-microbe...
research.pasteur.fr
December 8, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Come to be our colleague! Center of Paris, excellent facilities, research spanning the whole range of basic and biomedical life science topics, enthusiastic and collaborative colleagues, crème brûlée every Friday... What else could one want?
Reposted by Berta Verd
To Oxford, to talk to the Biochemistry Society about DNA and Rosalind Franklin. Talk is at 19:00 in St Peter's College if you fancy coming along.
December 4, 2025 at 9:42 AM
To Oxford, to talk to the Biochemistry Society about DNA and Rosalind Franklin. Talk is at 19:00 in St Peter's College if you fancy coming along.
Reposted by Berta Verd
And ‘Searching for the Asgards’ the movie: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgmE...
Collaboration for Understanding | Searching for the Asgards
YouTube video by Schmidt Ocean
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:46 PM
And ‘Searching for the Asgards’ the movie: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgmE...
Reposted by Berta Verd
Applications are open for @dev-journal.bsky.social 2026 Pathway to Independence (PI) programme, supporting postdocs applying for group leader positions:
Mentoring
Profile raising
Leadership training
Network building
Spread the word...
www.biologists.com/grants/devel...
Mentoring
Profile raising
Leadership training
Network building
Spread the word...
www.biologists.com/grants/devel...
Development's Pathway to Independence Programme
Our grants support and encourage the sharing of knowledge throughout the community by facilitating international collaboration, event attendance and the organisation of scientific meetings, conference...
www.biologists.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Applications are open for @dev-journal.bsky.social 2026 Pathway to Independence (PI) programme, supporting postdocs applying for group leader positions:
Mentoring
Profile raising
Leadership training
Network building
Spread the word...
www.biologists.com/grants/devel...
Mentoring
Profile raising
Leadership training
Network building
Spread the word...
www.biologists.com/grants/devel...
Reposted by Berta Verd
Apply for our Pathway to Independence (PI) programme, supporting postdocs in #devbio and #stemcell research during the transition to their first group leader position: www.biologists.com/grants/devel...
Application deadline: 2 February 2026.
Application deadline: 2 February 2026.
December 2, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Apply for our Pathway to Independence (PI) programme, supporting postdocs in #devbio and #stemcell research during the transition to their first group leader position: www.biologists.com/grants/devel...
Application deadline: 2 February 2026.
Application deadline: 2 February 2026.
Reposted by Berta Verd
Congrats to @bertaverd.bsky.social, who's been accepted into the @embo.org Young Investigator Programme!
Her research focuses on one of the fundamental and most longstanding questions in biology: how phenotypes evolve to generate the incredible diversity of forms we see 👇
https://bit.ly/4aj8YDi
Her research focuses on one of the fundamental and most longstanding questions in biology: how phenotypes evolve to generate the incredible diversity of forms we see 👇
https://bit.ly/4aj8YDi
December 2, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Congrats to @bertaverd.bsky.social, who's been accepted into the @embo.org Young Investigator Programme!
Her research focuses on one of the fundamental and most longstanding questions in biology: how phenotypes evolve to generate the incredible diversity of forms we see 👇
https://bit.ly/4aj8YDi
Her research focuses on one of the fundamental and most longstanding questions in biology: how phenotypes evolve to generate the incredible diversity of forms we see 👇
https://bit.ly/4aj8YDi
I am so happy to have been accepted into the EMBO YIP community! Looking forward to making the most of it over the next four years. Thanks for having me!
Congratulations to the new cohort of 28 EMBO Young Investigators! They are joining an international network of more than 800 life scientists – Welcome!
Read the press release here:
https://www.embo.org/press-releases/twenty-eight-group-leaders-become-embo-young-investigators/
Read the press release here:
https://www.embo.org/press-releases/twenty-eight-group-leaders-become-embo-young-investigators/
December 2, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I am so happy to have been accepted into the EMBO YIP community! Looking forward to making the most of it over the next four years. Thanks for having me!
Reposted by Berta Verd
Advanced grad students + postdocs: apply for the 2026 #kitpqbio summer course, "Physical Principles of Morphogenesis in Plants and Animals," at buff.ly/OXXMKEv. Apply by Feb. 1.
Course directors Adrienne Roeder (Cornell) and Sebastian Streichan (UCSB)
Course directors Adrienne Roeder (Cornell) and Sebastian Streichan (UCSB)
November 19, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Advanced grad students + postdocs: apply for the 2026 #kitpqbio summer course, "Physical Principles of Morphogenesis in Plants and Animals," at buff.ly/OXXMKEv. Apply by Feb. 1.
Course directors Adrienne Roeder (Cornell) and Sebastian Streichan (UCSB)
Course directors Adrienne Roeder (Cornell) and Sebastian Streichan (UCSB)
Reposted by Berta Verd
Random cellular “noise” can, when combined with growth, generate surprisingly orderly patterns. Researchers from @roederlab.bsky.social in @weillinstitute.bsky.social have revealed that randomness itself can be a powerful driver of biological design. news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...
Randomness reveals hidden order in the plant world | Cornell Chronicle
Findings from a recent study show how randomness and growth together create the striking cellular patterns that shape plant organs—and perhaps all multicellular life.
news.cornell.edu
November 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Random cellular “noise” can, when combined with growth, generate surprisingly orderly patterns. Researchers from @roederlab.bsky.social in @weillinstitute.bsky.social have revealed that randomness itself can be a powerful driver of biological design. news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...
Reposted by Berta Verd
The European Drosophila Society #flyEDS extends the condolences on the passing of Antonio García-Bellido, considered the founder of the Spanish school of #Drosophila genetics and an influential figure in developmental biology research worldwide. May he rest in peace.
November 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The European Drosophila Society #flyEDS extends the condolences on the passing of Antonio García-Bellido, considered the founder of the Spanish school of #Drosophila genetics and an influential figure in developmental biology research worldwide. May he rest in peace.
Reposted by Berta Verd
Opportunity for a Master’s/Bachelor’s student:
- Join us for up to 5 months 🗓️
- Build computational/mathematical models 💻
- Learn about genotype-phenotype maps and evolution 🧬
- Work closely with PhD student Manuela Giraud - full info here:
www.crg.eu/en/content/t...
- Join us for up to 5 months 🗓️
- Build computational/mathematical models 💻
- Learn about genotype-phenotype maps and evolution 🧬
- Work closely with PhD student Manuela Giraud - full info here:
www.crg.eu/en/content/t...
October 7, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Opportunity for a Master’s/Bachelor’s student:
- Join us for up to 5 months 🗓️
- Build computational/mathematical models 💻
- Learn about genotype-phenotype maps and evolution 🧬
- Work closely with PhD student Manuela Giraud - full info here:
www.crg.eu/en/content/t...
- Join us for up to 5 months 🗓️
- Build computational/mathematical models 💻
- Learn about genotype-phenotype maps and evolution 🧬
- Work closely with PhD student Manuela Giraud - full info here:
www.crg.eu/en/content/t...
Reposted by Berta Verd
The @crick.ac.uk is recruiting Early Career Group Leaders
- Lab set-up, research costs, salaries for up to 5 researchers
- Support for up to 12 years
- Access to our core facilities
- Competitive salary
- Fantastic colleagues
- All areas of biology
Deadline 27 Nov
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
- Lab set-up, research costs, salaries for up to 5 researchers
- Support for up to 12 years
- Access to our core facilities
- Competitive salary
- Fantastic colleagues
- All areas of biology
Deadline 27 Nov
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Early career group leaders
We appoint researchers from across biology and biomedicine to set up their first groups at the Crick.
www.crick.ac.uk
October 10, 2025 at 8:20 AM
The @crick.ac.uk is recruiting Early Career Group Leaders
- Lab set-up, research costs, salaries for up to 5 researchers
- Support for up to 12 years
- Access to our core facilities
- Competitive salary
- Fantastic colleagues
- All areas of biology
Deadline 27 Nov
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
- Lab set-up, research costs, salaries for up to 5 researchers
- Support for up to 12 years
- Access to our core facilities
- Competitive salary
- Fantastic colleagues
- All areas of biology
Deadline 27 Nov
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Reposted by Berta Verd
How does life construct itself from within, and how might we learn to emulate its generative logic? Glad to be soon talking and discussing with @philipcball.bsky.social @bertaverd.bsky.social and other great colleagues at this @royalsociety.org event royalsociety.org/science-even...
Generative biology: new approaches to study developmental design principles | Royal Society
Theo Murphy meeting organised by Dr Jake Cornwall-Scoones, Dr Dirk Benzinger, and Professor Sally Lowell.
royalsociety.org
October 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
How does life construct itself from within, and how might we learn to emulate its generative logic? Glad to be soon talking and discussing with @philipcball.bsky.social @bertaverd.bsky.social and other great colleagues at this @royalsociety.org event royalsociety.org/science-even...
Reposted by Berta Verd
Here it is! Postdoctoral position to identify the progenitors sensory organs in the regenerating legs of Parhyale
apply here: www.averof-lab.org/pages/tracman
1/3
apply here: www.averof-lab.org/pages/tracman
1/3
We've just been awarded a grant to study the cellular basis of regeneration – to track the progenitors of sensory organs in the context of leg regeneration, in our favourite crustacean tinyurl.com/parhyale, based on live imaging and cell tracking. The project involves some cool collaborations... 1/3
October 3, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Here it is! Postdoctoral position to identify the progenitors sensory organs in the regenerating legs of Parhyale
apply here: www.averof-lab.org/pages/tracman
1/3
apply here: www.averof-lab.org/pages/tracman
1/3
Reposted by Berta Verd
Development does not happen in isolation! Material properties, geometry, stiffness, fluid flows...can all steer how development unfolds. If you’re exploring these kinds of questions, we’d love to see your work @dev-journal.bsky.social
More info below ⬇️
More info below ⬇️
📢Call for papers. Submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue – The Extracellular Environment in Development, Regeneration and Stem Cells
Guest Editors: Alex Hughes and Rashmi Priya
📅 Deadline: 1 March 2026
journals.biologists.com/dev/pages/ex...
#DevBio
Guest Editors: Alex Hughes and Rashmi Priya
📅 Deadline: 1 March 2026
journals.biologists.com/dev/pages/ex...
#DevBio
September 19, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Development does not happen in isolation! Material properties, geometry, stiffness, fluid flows...can all steer how development unfolds. If you’re exploring these kinds of questions, we’d love to see your work @dev-journal.bsky.social
More info below ⬇️
More info below ⬇️
Fantastic to see this now out in published form! Well done to the authors @jamesehammond.bsky.social and @callumbucklow.bsky.social. Check it out if you're interested in vertebrate, and in particular vertebral count, evolution!
Out now in Seminars in Cell & Dev Biol!
doi.org/10.1016/j.se...
With thanks to co-authors @callumbucklow.bsky.social and @bertaverd.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1016/j.se...
With thanks to co-authors @callumbucklow.bsky.social and @bertaverd.bsky.social
September 9, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Fantastic to see this now out in published form! Well done to the authors @jamesehammond.bsky.social and @callumbucklow.bsky.social. Check it out if you're interested in vertebrate, and in particular vertebral count, evolution!
Reposted by Berta Verd
1
To predict the behaviour of a primate, would you rather base your guess on a closely related species or one with a similar brain shape? We looked at brains & behaviours of 70 species, you’ll be surprised!
🧵Thread on our new preprint with @r3rt0.bsky.social , doi.org/10.1101/2025...
To predict the behaviour of a primate, would you rather base your guess on a closely related species or one with a similar brain shape? We looked at brains & behaviours of 70 species, you’ll be surprised!
🧵Thread on our new preprint with @r3rt0.bsky.social , doi.org/10.1101/2025...
July 27, 2025 at 5:26 PM
1
To predict the behaviour of a primate, would you rather base your guess on a closely related species or one with a similar brain shape? We looked at brains & behaviours of 70 species, you’ll be surprised!
🧵Thread on our new preprint with @r3rt0.bsky.social , doi.org/10.1101/2025...
To predict the behaviour of a primate, would you rather base your guess on a closely related species or one with a similar brain shape? We looked at brains & behaviours of 70 species, you’ll be surprised!
🧵Thread on our new preprint with @r3rt0.bsky.social , doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Berta Verd
Exciting Research Professorship Position in Stem Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Leuven. Amazing research ecosystem, great colleagues, high quality of life, tenure track. For those interested in joining us, please see below:
www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo...
www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo...
July 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Exciting Research Professorship Position in Stem Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Leuven. Amazing research ecosystem, great colleagues, high quality of life, tenure track. For those interested in joining us, please see below:
www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo...
www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jo...
Reposted by Berta Verd
🌱 Passionate About Plant Development?
Join the "Summer School", a dynamic three-day intensive program tailored for enthusiastic PhD students and postdocs eager to deepen their understanding of plant developmental biology. Register here: www.graduateschool-eps.info/events/eps-s...
Join the "Summer School", a dynamic three-day intensive program tailored for enthusiastic PhD students and postdocs eager to deepen their understanding of plant developmental biology. Register here: www.graduateschool-eps.info/events/eps-s...
July 7, 2025 at 11:07 AM
🌱 Passionate About Plant Development?
Join the "Summer School", a dynamic three-day intensive program tailored for enthusiastic PhD students and postdocs eager to deepen their understanding of plant developmental biology. Register here: www.graduateschool-eps.info/events/eps-s...
Join the "Summer School", a dynamic three-day intensive program tailored for enthusiastic PhD students and postdocs eager to deepen their understanding of plant developmental biology. Register here: www.graduateschool-eps.info/events/eps-s...
Reposted by Berta Verd
Learn about tissue #development and engineering, #microscopy, #ImageAnalysis, and more at the EMBO Practical Course "Optics, Forces & Development" in Santiago, Chile, 7–17 January 2026.
Deadline: 10 October 2025
meetings.embo.org/event/26-opt...
#EMBO26optics #EMBOevents #research #training 🧪
Deadline: 10 October 2025
meetings.embo.org/event/26-opt...
#EMBO26optics #EMBOevents #research #training 🧪
Optics, Forces & Development
Breakthroughs in developmental biology and stem cell research, alongside rapid advances in microscopy, computing, tissue engineering, and biophysics, are transforming our understanding of the fundame…
meetings.embo.org
July 4, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Learn about tissue #development and engineering, #microscopy, #ImageAnalysis, and more at the EMBO Practical Course "Optics, Forces & Development" in Santiago, Chile, 7–17 January 2026.
Deadline: 10 October 2025
meetings.embo.org/event/26-opt...
#EMBO26optics #EMBOevents #research #training 🧪
Deadline: 10 October 2025
meetings.embo.org/event/26-opt...
#EMBO26optics #EMBOevents #research #training 🧪