Fran Bottanelli
@franbottanelli.bsky.social
Solver of GTPases molecular puzzles | Membranes | CRISPR | STED super-res |Accidental immunologist | Academic mother of 2 cheeky monkeys | Assistant prof at FU Berlin. | Head of the Nanoscale Membrane Dynamics Lab
Pinned
After the success of our 2023 Imaging Cell Dynamics conference, we’ll be hosting a second #JCSImaging meeting in 2026, organised by @franbottanelli.bsky.social, @guijacquemet.bsky.social, @drmichaelway.bsky.social & Giulia Zanetti.
To register your interest: www.biologists.com/meetings/jcs...
To register your interest: www.biologists.com/meetings/jcs...
Save the date for what promises to be an amazing imaging/cell biology meeting!
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
I feel this is an excellent example of how we massively overestimate the importance of one person (genius complex). I guarantee that the double helix would have been discovered irrespective of Watson, and his remaining contributions of racism and horribleness, far outweighs his stolen valour.
Hey folks, as news of Watson's demise spreads, please don't set aside his weighty legacy of misogyny and racism. He was truly among the worst of us. www.vox.com/2019/1/15/18...
DNA scientist James Watson has a remarkably long history of sexist, racist public comments
“People say it would be terrible if we made all girls pretty,” he said in 2003. “I think it would be great.”
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:17 PM
I feel this is an excellent example of how we massively overestimate the importance of one person (genius complex). I guarantee that the double helix would have been discovered irrespective of Watson, and his remaining contributions of racism and horribleness, far outweighs his stolen valour.
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
Shout out to people routinely working in their 2nd or 3rd language.
Yesterday I gave a 1-hour research seminar in French. Afterwards, my brain was pretty much done for the day.
Respect to the loads of scientists who do this daily (and usually a lot more effectively than me!)
Yesterday I gave a 1-hour research seminar in French. Afterwards, my brain was pretty much done for the day.
Respect to the loads of scientists who do this daily (and usually a lot more effectively than me!)
November 7, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Shout out to people routinely working in their 2nd or 3rd language.
Yesterday I gave a 1-hour research seminar in French. Afterwards, my brain was pretty much done for the day.
Respect to the loads of scientists who do this daily (and usually a lot more effectively than me!)
Yesterday I gave a 1-hour research seminar in French. Afterwards, my brain was pretty much done for the day.
Respect to the loads of scientists who do this daily (and usually a lot more effectively than me!)
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
I love to see the endoplasmic reticulum (ER, cyan) hitchhiking over microtubules (MTs, orange).
Also the membrane dynamics are lovely.
It's been a while, but here we are for a late #fluorescencefriday with some #microscopy
#scicomm #scisky @cellcommlab.bsky.social focalplane.bsky.social 🧪🔬
Also the membrane dynamics are lovely.
It's been a while, but here we are for a late #fluorescencefriday with some #microscopy
#scicomm #scisky @cellcommlab.bsky.social focalplane.bsky.social 🧪🔬
November 7, 2025 at 9:25 PM
I love to see the endoplasmic reticulum (ER, cyan) hitchhiking over microtubules (MTs, orange).
Also the membrane dynamics are lovely.
It's been a while, but here we are for a late #fluorescencefriday with some #microscopy
#scicomm #scisky @cellcommlab.bsky.social focalplane.bsky.social 🧪🔬
Also the membrane dynamics are lovely.
It's been a while, but here we are for a late #fluorescencefriday with some #microscopy
#scicomm #scisky @cellcommlab.bsky.social focalplane.bsky.social 🧪🔬
They call it “hairdresser appointment”, I call it “haircut plus free one hour conversation class with a real Berliner” #expatslife
November 7, 2025 at 1:35 PM
They call it “hairdresser appointment”, I call it “haircut plus free one hour conversation class with a real Berliner” #expatslife
Vibe of the day is I am about to be hit by either amazing or horrible news. I hope I am in home office so I can either curl up in bed and cry or scream #PIlife
November 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Vibe of the day is I am about to be hit by either amazing or horrible news. I hope I am in home office so I can either curl up in bed and cry or scream #PIlife
Thanks to my PhD students hanging out with the #membraneband people I am now expected to compose songs for my graduating students. Thanks @delevoyecedric.bsky.social and co.
November 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Thanks to my PhD students hanging out with the #membraneband people I am now expected to compose songs for my graduating students. Thanks @delevoyecedric.bsky.social and co.
Maybe I should have not quit my rock band to do a PhD but I should have quit my PhD to become a rock star #thoughtsoftheday
November 4, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Maybe I should have not quit my rock band to do a PhD but I should have quit my PhD to become a rock star #thoughtsoftheday
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
#MembraneTraffickers! Our next online seminar is this Thursday, Nov 6 at 5 PM CEST!
We’ll hear from @agatawitkowska.bsky.social on mechanical control of neurotransmission and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social on lipid storage mechanisms in health and disease.
Spread the word and join the discussion!
We’ll hear from @agatawitkowska.bsky.social on mechanical control of neurotransmission and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social on lipid storage mechanisms in health and disease.
Spread the word and join the discussion!
November 3, 2025 at 7:33 PM
#MembraneTraffickers! Our next online seminar is this Thursday, Nov 6 at 5 PM CEST!
We’ll hear from @agatawitkowska.bsky.social on mechanical control of neurotransmission and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social on lipid storage mechanisms in health and disease.
Spread the word and join the discussion!
We’ll hear from @agatawitkowska.bsky.social on mechanical control of neurotransmission and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social on lipid storage mechanisms in health and disease.
Spread the word and join the discussion!
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
Join @felixmendu.bsky.social, @franbottanelli.bsky.social, and me for this edition of #MembraneTrafficking seminars for this month's discussions on the molecular mechanisms underlying membrane biology.
More info: felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
Slack channel: join.slack.com/t/membranetr...
More info: felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
Slack channel: join.slack.com/t/membranetr...
MEMBRANE TRAFFICKING | Membrane Trafficking
felixcampelo.wixsite.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Join @felixmendu.bsky.social, @franbottanelli.bsky.social, and me for this edition of #MembraneTrafficking seminars for this month's discussions on the molecular mechanisms underlying membrane biology.
More info: felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
Slack channel: join.slack.com/t/membranetr...
More info: felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
Slack channel: join.slack.com/t/membranetr...
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
ERC starter grant applications from US researchers nearly triple in 2025 compared to 2024 as Trump restricts funding. Good for "Choose Europe" initiatives, but dire for global and national science, given the limited volume of non-US funding available.
Trump’s university backlash drives US researchers towards Europe
EU grant applications hit record in 2025 amid surge in interest from American academics
www.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:37 AM
ERC starter grant applications from US researchers nearly triple in 2025 compared to 2024 as Trump restricts funding. Good for "Choose Europe" initiatives, but dire for global and national science, given the limited volume of non-US funding available.
Little one just turned 6. I cannot believe time has gone by so fast. She was born and has grown with the lab. She has kept me grounded and showed me what really matters during the hard times. I wouldn‘t do anything different. But starting a lab and a family is HARD #academicmum
October 30, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Little one just turned 6. I cannot believe time has gone by so fast. She was born and has grown with the lab. She has kept me grounded and showed me what really matters during the hard times. I wouldn‘t do anything different. But starting a lab and a family is HARD #academicmum
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
These are “can’t miss” events for membrane enthusiasts :)
Calling all #Membrane enthusiasts!
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
October 27, 2025 at 10:36 PM
These are “can’t miss” events for membrane enthusiasts :)
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
I'm beyond excited about my presentation in front of such a fantastic community! 🤩
Calling all #Membrane enthusiasts!
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
October 27, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I'm beyond excited about my presentation in front of such a fantastic community! 🤩
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
As usual, more info on the website (which will hopefully be updated soon :)
felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
cc/ @ishier.bsky.social @franbottanelli.bsky.social
felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
cc/ @ishier.bsky.social @franbottanelli.bsky.social
MEMBRANE TRAFFICKING | Membrane Trafficking
felixcampelo.wixsite.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
As usual, more info on the website (which will hopefully be updated soon :)
felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
cc/ @ishier.bsky.social @franbottanelli.bsky.social
felixcampelo.wixsite.com/membranetraf...
cc/ @ishier.bsky.social @franbottanelli.bsky.social
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
Calling all #Membrane enthusiasts!
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
October 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Calling all #Membrane enthusiasts!
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
Our #MembraneTrafficking online seminar series is back for the 2025-26 season: 8 fantastic speakers from Nov'25 to Feb'26.
The first talks are already next Thursday (Nov 6, 5pm CET) with @agatawitkowska.bsky.social and @abdourachidthiam.bsky.social !
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
Is there any data from academia illustrating how short deadlines for things like awards or funding opportunities disadvantage people from groups who tend to take on or are assigned more thankless labor (women), and advantage those who focus more on the work that benefits them (men)?
October 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Is there any data from academia illustrating how short deadlines for things like awards or funding opportunities disadvantage people from groups who tend to take on or are assigned more thankless labor (women), and advantage those who focus more on the work that benefits them (men)?
I had an amazing time at @biocityturku.bsky.social yesterday! Thank you Paulina and the whole @ivaskalab.bsky.social for hosting me! It‘s been an exciting science day! Also my first time in 🇫🇮
October 24, 2025 at 6:48 AM
I had an amazing time at @biocityturku.bsky.social yesterday! Thank you Paulina and the whole @ivaskalab.bsky.social for hosting me! It‘s been an exciting science day! Also my first time in 🇫🇮
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
Thank you @jcellsci.bsky.social! It was so much fun chatting with Editor @seemagrewal.bsky.social about my journey, research, and advice for junior scientists.
It’s great that it reads just like our conversation flowed. I sincerely hope it resonates with trainees out there!
Read the interview 👇
It’s great that it reads just like our conversation flowed. I sincerely hope it resonates with trainees out there!
Read the interview 👇
Interview with Guillaume Thibault @gthibault.bsky.social – President of the Society for Cell Biology Singapore
We chatted about Guillaume’s route into academia, his research and his advice for junior scientists.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
We chatted about Guillaume’s route into academia, his research and his advice for junior scientists.
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
October 23, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Thank you @jcellsci.bsky.social! It was so much fun chatting with Editor @seemagrewal.bsky.social about my journey, research, and advice for junior scientists.
It’s great that it reads just like our conversation flowed. I sincerely hope it resonates with trainees out there!
Read the interview 👇
It’s great that it reads just like our conversation flowed. I sincerely hope it resonates with trainees out there!
Read the interview 👇
A few days away from here and I come back to a dystopian future where reviews for papers are written by robots #thefuture
October 21, 2025 at 6:43 PM
A few days away from here and I come back to a dystopian future where reviews for papers are written by robots #thefuture
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
Recent interview for @jcellsci.bsky.social. Thx for important services JCS & @biologists.bsky.social provide to the cell science community. Glad we could share aspects on #50yearDGZ @dgz.bsky.social, @dfg.de @hetcci.bsky.social SPP2493, #CGBM & my great team @uni-saarland.de
shorturl.at/rCQg5
shorturl.at/rCQg5
Interview with Sandra Iden – President of the German Society for Cell Biology
ABSTRACT. Sandra Iden is Professor and Chair of Cell and Developmental Biology at Saarland University in Homburg, Germany. Her research focuses on cell–cell communication in epithelial tissue homeosta...
journals.biologists.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Recent interview for @jcellsci.bsky.social. Thx for important services JCS & @biologists.bsky.social provide to the cell science community. Glad we could share aspects on #50yearDGZ @dgz.bsky.social, @dfg.de @hetcci.bsky.social SPP2493, #CGBM & my great team @uni-saarland.de
shorturl.at/rCQg5
shorturl.at/rCQg5
Very excited to spend a few days in Mosbch talking membranes and membrane processes! Sign up now!
Registration open: 77. Mosbacher Kolloquium "More than lipidic barriers - New horizons in membrane biology" from March 25-28, 2026
lnkd.in/dgsW4c3
Scientific Organizers: Britta Brügger, Robert Ernst, André Nadler, Christian Ungermann
Early registration & poster abstracts until January 31, 2026
lnkd.in/dgsW4c3
Scientific Organizers: Britta Brügger, Robert Ernst, André Nadler, Christian Ungermann
Early registration & poster abstracts until January 31, 2026
October 9, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Very excited to spend a few days in Mosbch talking membranes and membrane processes! Sign up now!
Reposted by Fran Bottanelli
Registration open: 77. Mosbacher Kolloquium "More than lipidic barriers - New horizons in membrane biology" from March 25-28, 2026
lnkd.in/dgsW4c3
Scientific Organizers: Britta Brügger, Robert Ernst, André Nadler, Christian Ungermann
Early registration & poster abstracts until January 31, 2026
lnkd.in/dgsW4c3
Scientific Organizers: Britta Brügger, Robert Ernst, André Nadler, Christian Ungermann
Early registration & poster abstracts until January 31, 2026
October 9, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Registration open: 77. Mosbacher Kolloquium "More than lipidic barriers - New horizons in membrane biology" from March 25-28, 2026
lnkd.in/dgsW4c3
Scientific Organizers: Britta Brügger, Robert Ernst, André Nadler, Christian Ungermann
Early registration & poster abstracts until January 31, 2026
lnkd.in/dgsW4c3
Scientific Organizers: Britta Brügger, Robert Ernst, André Nadler, Christian Ungermann
Early registration & poster abstracts until January 31, 2026
5 yo discovered Labubus 😭
October 5, 2025 at 6:36 PM
5 yo discovered Labubus 😭
My time at Yale was fantastic! You will for sure have amazing colleagues! Apply!
We're hiring new faculty! Looking for talented scientists that are interested in pushing the boundaries of Cell Biology. Please spread the word!
October 2, 2025 at 7:39 PM
My time at Yale was fantastic! You will for sure have amazing colleagues! Apply!