Francesco De Batté
@francescodb.bsky.social
Scientist doing a PhD in synthetic and evolutionary microbiology with Tiffany Taylor and Thomas Gorochowski. Also interested in developmental biology, plants, and science communication/education. I like to make in media incl. DNA and code. He/him
Pinned
The minimal cell-cycle control system in Marchantia as a framework for understanding plant cell proliferation https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.12.642684v1
🚨 Cool preprint alert! Not biased at all 😅. It was a privilege to work alongside @fromani.bsky.social and I'm so proud to have contributed to this work at the intersection of plant Synbio and EvoDevo. Enjoy!
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Integrase-On-Demand: bioprospecting integrases for targeted genomic insertion of genetic cargo Open Access
doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
Integrase-On-Demand: bioprospecting integrases for targeted genomic insertion of genetic cargo
Abstract. Integrases serve as powerful biotechnology tools that catalyze recombination at specific DNA sequences (att sites) and facilitate chromosomal int
doi.org
February 9, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Integrase-On-Demand: bioprospecting integrases for targeted genomic insertion of genetic cargo Open Access
doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Next Monday, 9 February at 2:30 pm (UK time), we’re excited to hear from Alex Bisson @archaeon-alex.bsky.social from Indiana University.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our mailing list to receive the Zoom link!
Don’t forget to subscribe to our mailing list to receive the Zoom link!
February 6, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Next Monday, 9 February at 2:30 pm (UK time), we’re excited to hear from Alex Bisson @archaeon-alex.bsky.social from Indiana University.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our mailing list to receive the Zoom link!
Don’t forget to subscribe to our mailing list to receive the Zoom link!
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Working on a tool to define Golden Gate syntaxes for #OpenCloning. You define your syntax, and then you can drag-and-drop your plasmids in OpenCloning, they will be sorted into the right categories, and you can do combinatorial assembly. Reach out if you'd like to contribute:
syntax.opencloning.org
syntax.opencloning.org
January 28, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Working on a tool to define Golden Gate syntaxes for #OpenCloning. You define your syntax, and then you can drag-and-drop your plasmids in OpenCloning, they will be sorted into the right categories, and you can do combinatorial assembly. Reach out if you'd like to contribute:
syntax.opencloning.org
syntax.opencloning.org
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
New paper out in @pnas.org, and it made the cover! 👁️
We represent plasmids as circles and mutations as dots, resembling an eye, because in this paper we literally 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ plasmids evolve.
‼️Check Paula’s 🧵 and the paper👇
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
We represent plasmids as circles and mutations as dots, resembling an eye, because in this paper we literally 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ plasmids evolve.
‼️Check Paula’s 🧵 and the paper👇
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
January 27, 2026 at 8:23 PM
New paper out in @pnas.org, and it made the cover! 👁️
We represent plasmids as circles and mutations as dots, resembling an eye, because in this paper we literally 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ plasmids evolve.
‼️Check Paula’s 🧵 and the paper👇
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
We represent plasmids as circles and mutations as dots, resembling an eye, because in this paper we literally 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑐ℎ plasmids evolve.
‼️Check Paula’s 🧵 and the paper👇
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Inspired by the story, I created a petunia with 5 differently colored petals using new genes I made, AMBER & GOLD that I just published here: doi.org/10.64898/202...
Similar to RUBY, these polycistronic genes encode yellow, fluorescent betaxanthins 💛🧡
Similar to RUBY, these polycistronic genes encode yellow, fluorescent betaxanthins 💛🧡
January 16, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Inspired by the story, I created a petunia with 5 differently colored petals using new genes I made, AMBER & GOLD that I just published here: doi.org/10.64898/202...
Similar to RUBY, these polycistronic genes encode yellow, fluorescent betaxanthins 💛🧡
Similar to RUBY, these polycistronic genes encode yellow, fluorescent betaxanthins 💛🧡
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
If you are looking to integrate your latest genetic creation into the genome of your favourite bug, you might find our latest review now out in OUP Synthetic Biology useful. 🧬⚒️ Work led by Riesa Rohmat with input from Thea Irvine and Shivang Joshi. #genome #synbio doi.org/10.1093/synb...
January 6, 2026 at 10:58 AM
If you are looking to integrate your latest genetic creation into the genome of your favourite bug, you might find our latest review now out in OUP Synthetic Biology useful. 🧬⚒️ Work led by Riesa Rohmat with input from Thea Irvine and Shivang Joshi. #genome #synbio doi.org/10.1093/synb...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
@peterfineran.bsky.social and colleagues develop Tn-seq for phages by leveraging anti-CRISPR (Acr) as a positive
selectable marker in the presence of CRISPR-Cas counter-selection, and identify essential genes in phage from non model orgs
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
selectable marker in the presence of CRISPR-Cas counter-selection, and identify essential genes in phage from non model orgs
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
December 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
@peterfineran.bsky.social and colleagues develop Tn-seq for phages by leveraging anti-CRISPR (Acr) as a positive
selectable marker in the presence of CRISPR-Cas counter-selection, and identify essential genes in phage from non model orgs
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
selectable marker in the presence of CRISPR-Cas counter-selection, and identify essential genes in phage from non model orgs
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
It's been a great experience to start a team here, I highly recommend applying!
🌱 2x David Sainsbury Career Development Fellowships at @slcuplants.bsky.social
Unique opportunity for early-career researchers to launch their own independent research programme in quantitative plant development, with generous support & world-class facilities.
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/david-s...
Unique opportunity for early-career researchers to launch their own independent research programme in quantitative plant development, with generous support & world-class facilities.
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/david-s...
December 12, 2025 at 10:43 AM
It's been a great experience to start a team here, I highly recommend applying!
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
What is the best strategy to win any contest?
Eliminate your opponents of course.
Recently, my friend @fernpizza.bsky.social showed how plasmids compete intracellularly (check out his paper published in Science today!). With @baym.lol, we now know they can fight.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Eliminate your opponents of course.
Recently, my friend @fernpizza.bsky.social showed how plasmids compete intracellularly (check out his paper published in Science today!). With @baym.lol, we now know they can fight.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
November 20, 2025 at 10:12 PM
What is the best strategy to win any contest?
Eliminate your opponents of course.
Recently, my friend @fernpizza.bsky.social showed how plasmids compete intracellularly (check out his paper published in Science today!). With @baym.lol, we now know they can fight.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Eliminate your opponents of course.
Recently, my friend @fernpizza.bsky.social showed how plasmids compete intracellularly (check out his paper published in Science today!). With @baym.lol, we now know they can fight.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
#OpenCloning is a an Open Source alternative to SnapGene/Benchling that supports automation and integration with other software
✅ Free
🔓 Open Source
🧬 More cloning methods than SnapGene
🤖 Can be automated with python
👨🔬 Built by a researcher — for researchers!
👉 Check it out at opencloning.org
✅ Free
🔓 Open Source
🧬 More cloning methods than SnapGene
🤖 Can be automated with python
👨🔬 Built by a researcher — for researchers!
👉 Check it out at opencloning.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:57 PM
#OpenCloning is a an Open Source alternative to SnapGene/Benchling that supports automation and integration with other software
✅ Free
🔓 Open Source
🧬 More cloning methods than SnapGene
🤖 Can be automated with python
👨🔬 Built by a researcher — for researchers!
👉 Check it out at opencloning.org
✅ Free
🔓 Open Source
🧬 More cloning methods than SnapGene
🤖 Can be automated with python
👨🔬 Built by a researcher — for researchers!
👉 Check it out at opencloning.org
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
A new review paper from our lab courtesy of @jazzsynbio.bsky.social is published in Trends in Biotechnology
In this review, we look at the many opportunities for synthetic biology to be used in the research and applications of Holobionts.
In this review, we look at the many opportunities for synthetic biology to be used in the research and applications of Holobionts.
October 23, 2025 at 10:09 AM
A new review paper from our lab courtesy of @jazzsynbio.bsky.social is published in Trends in Biotechnology
In this review, we look at the many opportunities for synthetic biology to be used in the research and applications of Holobionts.
In this review, we look at the many opportunities for synthetic biology to be used in the research and applications of Holobionts.
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Moments like this, a sunrise in the desert, remind me that science begins with wonder.
Discovery starts when we pause long enough to notice. Isn't it amazing how life always finds a way to adapt and persist? And how are Plants so good at this?
#Science #Discovery #Nature #AnzaBorrego #PlantScience
Discovery starts when we pause long enough to notice. Isn't it amazing how life always finds a way to adapt and persist? And how are Plants so good at this?
#Science #Discovery #Nature #AnzaBorrego #PlantScience
October 23, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Moments like this, a sunrise in the desert, remind me that science begins with wonder.
Discovery starts when we pause long enough to notice. Isn't it amazing how life always finds a way to adapt and persist? And how are Plants so good at this?
#Science #Discovery #Nature #AnzaBorrego #PlantScience
Discovery starts when we pause long enough to notice. Isn't it amazing how life always finds a way to adapt and persist? And how are Plants so good at this?
#Science #Discovery #Nature #AnzaBorrego #PlantScience
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
I’m excited to announce the launch of my lab at EPFL in Jan 2026 🎉. We’ll combine evolution & synthetic biology to study and (re)engineer bacterial communication.
I’m recruiting PhD students to start in the first semester of 2026.
Apply via EPFL PhD programs by Nov 1
drive.google.com/file/d/1cm-t...
I’m recruiting PhD students to start in the first semester of 2026.
Apply via EPFL PhD programs by Nov 1
drive.google.com/file/d/1cm-t...
October 20, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I’m excited to announce the launch of my lab at EPFL in Jan 2026 🎉. We’ll combine evolution & synthetic biology to study and (re)engineer bacterial communication.
I’m recruiting PhD students to start in the first semester of 2026.
Apply via EPFL PhD programs by Nov 1
drive.google.com/file/d/1cm-t...
I’m recruiting PhD students to start in the first semester of 2026.
Apply via EPFL PhD programs by Nov 1
drive.google.com/file/d/1cm-t...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Emergence of population-level feedback control by transposon-plasmid coevolution
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
October 21, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Emergence of population-level feedback control by transposon-plasmid coevolution
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
1 week left to apply for a postdoctoral position in my group to lead the experimental component of a 5 year BBSRC project on synthetic microbial communities
www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
October 20, 2025 at 9:49 AM
1 week left to apply for a postdoctoral position in my group to lead the experimental component of a 5 year BBSRC project on synthetic microbial communities
www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Highly recommended👇
🚨Job alert!
🔬We have 2 new open positions (1 PhD, 1 postdoc) in our team (santosmorenolab.org) in Barcelona @upf.edu @prbb.org funded by @erc.europa.eu
If you are passionate about #SynBio and #GeneCircuits, apply now! (until Oct. 26th) 🦠🔧
Info below 👇Please RT!
🔬We have 2 new open positions (1 PhD, 1 postdoc) in our team (santosmorenolab.org) in Barcelona @upf.edu @prbb.org funded by @erc.europa.eu
If you are passionate about #SynBio and #GeneCircuits, apply now! (until Oct. 26th) 🦠🔧
Info below 👇Please RT!
October 9, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Highly recommended👇
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
🛠️New tool from the lab! #SHARK🦈: a new strain to support complex cloning of transient R6K expression plasmids – perfect for genome engineering. Work led by the talented Shivang Joshi and all strains and strain assembly tools enroute to Addgene. #synbio doi.org/10.1101/2025...
October 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
🛠️New tool from the lab! #SHARK🦈: a new strain to support complex cloning of transient R6K expression plasmids – perfect for genome engineering. Work led by the talented Shivang Joshi and all strains and strain assembly tools enroute to Addgene. #synbio doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Microbial stem cells support productivity in dedicated factory cells in an asymmetrically dividing E. coli system
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
October 6, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Microbial stem cells support productivity in dedicated factory cells in an asymmetrically dividing E. coli system
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
**Please Repost**
Pallavi Singh Lab is looking for two Postdocs to join our team studying how plants balance carbon, water, and resilience in a changing climate.
PlantPlug PDRA: vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
REVOLUTION PDRA: vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
Deadline: October 15.
Pallavi Singh Lab is looking for two Postdocs to join our team studying how plants balance carbon, water, and resilience in a changing climate.
PlantPlug PDRA: vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
REVOLUTION PDRA: vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
Deadline: October 15.
October 4, 2025 at 11:20 AM
**Please Repost**
Pallavi Singh Lab is looking for two Postdocs to join our team studying how plants balance carbon, water, and resilience in a changing climate.
PlantPlug PDRA: vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
REVOLUTION PDRA: vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
Deadline: October 15.
Pallavi Singh Lab is looking for two Postdocs to join our team studying how plants balance carbon, water, and resilience in a changing climate.
PlantPlug PDRA: vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
REVOLUTION PDRA: vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrec...
Deadline: October 15.
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Genetic controllers for enhancing the evolutionary longevity of synthetic gene circuits in bacteria
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
Genetic controllers for enhancing the evolutionary longevity of synthetic gene circuits in bacteria - Nature Communications
Engineered gene circuits often degrade over time due to mutation and selection. Here the authors use a host-aware modelling framework to develop genetic controllers to sustain synthetic gene expression. They identify a range of design trade-offs in production, robustness and long-term performance.
doi.org
October 2, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Genetic controllers for enhancing the evolutionary longevity of synthetic gene circuits in bacteria
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
doi.org/10.1038/s414...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Loved having a chance this weekend to showcase the science behind bioluminescence & talk about the bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico at the Harvard Museum's Celebremos Puerto Rico 🕺🇵🇷!
September 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Loved having a chance this weekend to showcase the science behind bioluminescence & talk about the bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico at the Harvard Museum's Celebremos Puerto Rico 🕺🇵🇷!
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
🎉 London SynBio Network is back! Join us on 25th of September.
🧬 Surpassing Nature – Metabolic engineering for novel biological CO2 fixation routes
Ari Satanowski
💐 Open Flower: designer flowers for art and education
Nick Desnoyer
➡️ Register at: events.humanitix.com/london-synbi...
🧬 Surpassing Nature – Metabolic engineering for novel biological CO2 fixation routes
Ari Satanowski
💐 Open Flower: designer flowers for art and education
Nick Desnoyer
➡️ Register at: events.humanitix.com/london-synbi...
London SynBio Network 10
London SynBio afterwork talks and networking event on Thursday 25th of September
events.humanitix.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🎉 London SynBio Network is back! Join us on 25th of September.
🧬 Surpassing Nature – Metabolic engineering for novel biological CO2 fixation routes
Ari Satanowski
💐 Open Flower: designer flowers for art and education
Nick Desnoyer
➡️ Register at: events.humanitix.com/london-synbi...
🧬 Surpassing Nature – Metabolic engineering for novel biological CO2 fixation routes
Ari Satanowski
💐 Open Flower: designer flowers for art and education
Nick Desnoyer
➡️ Register at: events.humanitix.com/london-synbi...
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Marchantia berteroana at 3000 meters above the sea level. Vallecitos, Mendoza.
September 12, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Marchantia berteroana at 3000 meters above the sea level. Vallecitos, Mendoza.
Reposted by Francesco De Batté
Synthetic promoters has relied on naturally occurring TFs or Cas9. With de novo designed DNA binding proteins, there are so much potential for synbio, whether it's targeting natural promoters or designing synthetic ones.
New online: Computational design of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins
Computational design of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, Published online: 12 September 2025; doi:10.1038/s41594-025-01669-4The authors develop a computational method to design small DNA-binding proteins (DBPs) that target specific sequences. Designed DBPs show structural accuracy and function in both bacterial and mammalian cells for transcriptional regulation.
go.nature.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Synthetic promoters has relied on naturally occurring TFs or Cas9. With de novo designed DNA binding proteins, there are so much potential for synbio, whether it's targeting natural promoters or designing synthetic ones.