Oliver Harschnitz
@harschnitz.bsky.social
Stem cell biologist passionate about developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and virology | Group leader at Human Technopole in Milan
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
🧠 Looking for a #PhD at the crossroads of immunology and neurodegeneration?
🔬 1 fully funded PhD in our @harschnitz.bsky.social Group within the #MSCA -funded #IGNITION Doctoral Programme, connecting 10 institutions across Europe.
Apply by 1 April 2026 👉 humantechnopole.it/en/news/1-ph...
🔬 1 fully funded PhD in our @harschnitz.bsky.social Group within the #MSCA -funded #IGNITION Doctoral Programme, connecting 10 institutions across Europe.
Apply by 1 April 2026 👉 humantechnopole.it/en/news/1-ph...
February 17, 2026 at 1:19 PM
🧠 Looking for a #PhD at the crossroads of immunology and neurodegeneration?
🔬 1 fully funded PhD in our @harschnitz.bsky.social Group within the #MSCA -funded #IGNITION Doctoral Programme, connecting 10 institutions across Europe.
Apply by 1 April 2026 👉 humantechnopole.it/en/news/1-ph...
🔬 1 fully funded PhD in our @harschnitz.bsky.social Group within the #MSCA -funded #IGNITION Doctoral Programme, connecting 10 institutions across Europe.
Apply by 1 April 2026 👉 humantechnopole.it/en/news/1-ph...
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
📢Register for our #DevPres webinar on neurodevelopment
The webinar, chaired by Polina Kameneva, features talks from Joaquín Navajas Acedo @mads100tist.bsky.social, Carlo Donato Caiaffa & Clarisse Brunet @clarissebrunet.bsky.social.
🗓️25 February, 15:00 GMT/UTC
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The webinar, chaired by Polina Kameneva, features talks from Joaquín Navajas Acedo @mads100tist.bsky.social, Carlo Donato Caiaffa & Clarisse Brunet @clarissebrunet.bsky.social.
🗓️25 February, 15:00 GMT/UTC
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
February 16, 2026 at 2:18 PM
📢Register for our #DevPres webinar on neurodevelopment
The webinar, chaired by Polina Kameneva, features talks from Joaquín Navajas Acedo @mads100tist.bsky.social, Carlo Donato Caiaffa & Clarisse Brunet @clarissebrunet.bsky.social.
🗓️25 February, 15:00 GMT/UTC
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The webinar, chaired by Polina Kameneva, features talks from Joaquín Navajas Acedo @mads100tist.bsky.social, Carlo Donato Caiaffa & Clarisse Brunet @clarissebrunet.bsky.social.
🗓️25 February, 15:00 GMT/UTC
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
This is a fascinating paper that reveals defined and clear mechanism for a phenomenon that for some seemed unbelievable- the up regulation of genes paralogous to those with specific types of inactivating mutations. This is called transcriptional adaptation 1/ www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Mechanisms linking cytoplasmic decay of translation-defective mRNA to transcriptional adaptation
Transcriptional adaptation (TA) is a genetic robustness mechanism through which mutant messenger RNA (mRNA) decay induces sequence-dependent up-regulation of so-called adapting genes. How cytoplasmica...
www.science.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:24 AM
This is a fascinating paper that reveals defined and clear mechanism for a phenomenon that for some seemed unbelievable- the up regulation of genes paralogous to those with specific types of inactivating mutations. This is called transcriptional adaptation 1/ www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
Undergrads seeking summer research experience in gene or cell therapy: there's a *paid opportunity* from @bsgct.bsky.social! Please apply before 27th Feb. Please see bsgct.org/undergraduate/ for details.
Please repost to help spread the word - thanks!
Please repost to help spread the word - thanks!
February 15, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Undergrads seeking summer research experience in gene or cell therapy: there's a *paid opportunity* from @bsgct.bsky.social! Please apply before 27th Feb. Please see bsgct.org/undergraduate/ for details.
Please repost to help spread the word - thanks!
Please repost to help spread the word - thanks!
That’s a wrap on our yearly lab retreat. Watching this team have fun, collaborate, and build on each other’s ideas over the last three days has been amazing. Grateful for their brilliance, their kindness, and the collaborative spirit they bring to the lab each day!
February 13, 2026 at 3:52 PM
That’s a wrap on our yearly lab retreat. Watching this team have fun, collaborate, and build on each other’s ideas over the last three days has been amazing. Grateful for their brilliance, their kindness, and the collaborative spirit they bring to the lab each day!
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
Ooooh. Cool new paper on origins of life. A simple 45-nucleotide RNA molecule that can perfectly copy itself.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
A small polymerase ribozyme that can synthesize itself and its complementary strand
The emergence of a chemical system capable of self-replication and evolution is a critical event in the origin of life. RNA polymerase ribozymes can replicate RNA, but their large size and structural ...
www.science.org
February 13, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Ooooh. Cool new paper on origins of life. A simple 45-nucleotide RNA molecule that can perfectly copy itself.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
1/6 We're hiring! Fully funded postdoc position in my group
humantechnopole.it/en/research-...
humantechnopole.it/en/research-...
Legnini Group - Human Technopole
Laboratory for Molecular and Systems Biology of RNA The Legnini Group at Human Technopole combines molecular and systems biology approaches to study gene regulation. We use synthetic biology and opt...
humantechnopole.it
February 11, 2026 at 5:43 PM
1/6 We're hiring! Fully funded postdoc position in my group
humantechnopole.it/en/research-...
humantechnopole.it/en/research-...
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
Excited to co-host this conference with @marissascavuzzo.bsky.social and Steve Liberles focused on the peripheral nervous system -- No Brainer! Check out the amazing list of speakers and apply for one of the spots for this small, interactive meeting on the beautiful Janelia Campus at HHMI.
📢 Apply by May 14 to explore peripheral nervous system function across somatic + autonomic + enteric divisions, with a focus on new methods + emerging technologies.
🛏️ Meals & lodging covered; no registration fee
Apply ➡️ janelia.news/PNS26
@ardemp.bskyverified.social @marissascavuzzo.bsky.social
🛏️ Meals & lodging covered; no registration fee
Apply ➡️ janelia.news/PNS26
@ardemp.bskyverified.social @marissascavuzzo.bsky.social
February 6, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Excited to co-host this conference with @marissascavuzzo.bsky.social and Steve Liberles focused on the peripheral nervous system -- No Brainer! Check out the amazing list of speakers and apply for one of the spots for this small, interactive meeting on the beautiful Janelia Campus at HHMI.
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
The abstract deadline has been extended to February 15th! Don’t miss out!
Explore #immunology, #virology, #microbiology and more at EMBO Workshop "Pathogen Immunity and Signalling" in Leiden, NL, 8–11 June 2026.
Abstract submission/Registration deadline: 1 February/15 March
https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-pathogen-immunity
#EMBOpathogenSignalling #EMBOevents 🧪
Abstract submission/Registration deadline: 1 February/15 March
https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-pathogen-immunity
#EMBOpathogenSignalling #EMBOevents 🧪
February 3, 2026 at 5:23 PM
The IGNITION PhD Programme is now open! We’re offering 13 fully funded PhD positions across 10 institutions in 8 EU countries to study immune mediated neurodegeneration.
If you're passionate about research, innovation & international collaboration, this is for you.
ignition-consortium.eu/home/
If you're passionate about research, innovation & international collaboration, this is for you.
ignition-consortium.eu/home/
February 2, 2026 at 9:31 AM
The IGNITION PhD Programme is now open! We’re offering 13 fully funded PhD positions across 10 institutions in 8 EU countries to study immune mediated neurodegeneration.
If you're passionate about research, innovation & international collaboration, this is for you.
ignition-consortium.eu/home/
If you're passionate about research, innovation & international collaboration, this is for you.
ignition-consortium.eu/home/
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
🚀 Introducing the "HT Seminars: Connecting Discoveries"! A new series bringing leading international researchers to Milan to explore what’s next in life sciences. Across disciplines, perspectives and technologies.
Calendar & Registrations 👉 humantechnopole.it/en/training/... #HTseminars
Calendar & Registrations 👉 humantechnopole.it/en/training/... #HTseminars
January 19, 2026 at 4:36 PM
🚀 Introducing the "HT Seminars: Connecting Discoveries"! A new series bringing leading international researchers to Milan to explore what’s next in life sciences. Across disciplines, perspectives and technologies.
Calendar & Registrations 👉 humantechnopole.it/en/training/... #HTseminars
Calendar & Registrations 👉 humantechnopole.it/en/training/... #HTseminars
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
We are thrilled that our study on the evolution of gene regulation in mammalian cerebellum development – led by @ioansarr.bsky.social, @marisepp.bsky.social and @tyamadat.bsky.social, in collaboration with @steinaerts.bsky.social – is now out in @ScienceMagazine! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
January 29, 2026 at 7:23 PM
We are thrilled that our study on the evolution of gene regulation in mammalian cerebellum development – led by @ioansarr.bsky.social, @marisepp.bsky.social and @tyamadat.bsky.social, in collaboration with @steinaerts.bsky.social – is now out in @ScienceMagazine! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
Now out in Nature! We visualize infection of the RNA virus RSV in real-time with single-vRNP resolution to understand how RSV establishes viral factories, biomolecular condensates that act as sites of viral replication. A huge collaborative effort led by Dhanushika Ratnayake!
rdcu.be/e1bBW
rdcu.be/e1bBW
Pre-assembly of biomolecular condensate seeds drives RSV replication
Nature - Viral ribonucleoprotein–viral protein networks form pre-replication centres that nucleate viral factories and drive respiratory syncytial virus replication.
rdcu.be
January 28, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Now out in Nature! We visualize infection of the RNA virus RSV in real-time with single-vRNP resolution to understand how RSV establishes viral factories, biomolecular condensates that act as sites of viral replication. A huge collaborative effort led by Dhanushika Ratnayake!
rdcu.be/e1bBW
rdcu.be/e1bBW
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
1/ Our new study, led by Jingwen Ding, examines the role of transcription factors during human neurogenesis to identify gene regulatory networks influencing cell fate, maturation, and subtype specification
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Dissecting gene regulatory networks governing human cortical cell fate - Nature
Systematic screening of transcription factors reveals conserved mechanisms governing cortical radial glia lineage progression across primates and provides a framework for functional dissecti...
www.nature.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:16 AM
1/ Our new study, led by Jingwen Ding, examines the role of transcription factors during human neurogenesis to identify gene regulatory networks influencing cell fate, maturation, and subtype specification
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
Paper alert: Our study led by @evapillai.bsky.social and @sudimukherjee.bsky.social showing that mechanical properties of the #brain actively shape the molecular landscape during development and #axonpathfinding is finally out! www.nature.com/articles/s41... @pdncambridge.bsky.social @fau.de @MPZPM
Long-range chemical signalling in vivo is regulated by mechanical signals - Nature Materials
Tissue stiffness mediated by Piezo1 is shown to regulate the expression of diffusive guidance cues in the developing Xenopus laevis brain, revealing a crosstalk between mechanical signals and long-ran...
www.nature.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Paper alert: Our study led by @evapillai.bsky.social and @sudimukherjee.bsky.social showing that mechanical properties of the #brain actively shape the molecular landscape during development and #axonpathfinding is finally out! www.nature.com/articles/s41... @pdncambridge.bsky.social @fau.de @MPZPM
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
🥂Congratulations to @nmoris.bsky.social & co for their study in our journal generating 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.
bit.ly/3LoaXw2
bit.ly/3LoaXw2
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 lumb...
bit.ly
January 18, 2026 at 1:09 PM
🥂Congratulations to @nmoris.bsky.social & co for their study in our journal generating 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.
bit.ly/3LoaXw2
bit.ly/3LoaXw2
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
There's still time to apply to be a 2026 @dev-journal.bsky.social Pathway to Independence fellow
For those about to apply for their first independent academic position, the programme offers
- mentoring
- leadership training
- profile rising
- networking
journals.biologists.com/dev/pages/pi...
For those about to apply for their first independent academic position, the programme offers
- mentoring
- leadership training
- profile rising
- networking
journals.biologists.com/dev/pages/pi...
Pathway to Independence programme | Development | The Company of Biologists
Pathway to Independence programme | Development | The Company of Biologists
Development's Pathway to Independence programme
Launched in 2022, Development’s Pathway Independence programm...
journals.biologists.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:29 PM
There's still time to apply to be a 2026 @dev-journal.bsky.social Pathway to Independence fellow
For those about to apply for their first independent academic position, the programme offers
- mentoring
- leadership training
- profile rising
- networking
journals.biologists.com/dev/pages/pi...
For those about to apply for their first independent academic position, the programme offers
- mentoring
- leadership training
- profile rising
- networking
journals.biologists.com/dev/pages/pi...
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
Interested in the biophysics of organoids? We just published a review in Dev Cell—take a look! dlvr.it/TPyTb8 #Organoids #Biophysics
Biophysics of organoids
In this review, Weichselberger, Moore et al. discuss how physics-based approaches
illuminate organoid development and homeostasis by integrating mechanical, chemical,
and informational processes. They...
dlvr.it
January 6, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Interested in the biophysics of organoids? We just published a review in Dev Cell—take a look! dlvr.it/TPyTb8 #Organoids #Biophysics
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
The OAS–RNase L pathway: Insights from experiments of nature | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org
January 10, 2026 at 10:56 AM
The OAS–RNase L pathway: Insights from experiments of nature | Science Immunology www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Very excited that @priscaliberali.bsky.social will be our next speaker for the @humantechnopole.bsky.social External Seminar Series next Tuesday, January 13th. Big thanks to Marino Zerial for hosting!
For external people wanting to join, please see: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
For external people wanting to join, please see: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
January 9, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Very excited that @priscaliberali.bsky.social will be our next speaker for the @humantechnopole.bsky.social External Seminar Series next Tuesday, January 13th. Big thanks to Marino Zerial for hosting!
For external people wanting to join, please see: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
For external people wanting to join, please see: forms.office.com/pages/respon...
Incredibly excited to be taking part in the EMBO Workshop Pathogen Immunity & Signalling. Thanks to Annemarthe van der Veen, @kajastelab.bsky.social, @iannaconelab.bsky.social, @maurogaya.bsky.social, @manellab.bsky.social, @jnpruneda.bsky.social, Jan Rehwinkel & Mads Gyrd-Hansen for organising.
January 9, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Incredibly excited to be taking part in the EMBO Workshop Pathogen Immunity & Signalling. Thanks to Annemarthe van der Veen, @kajastelab.bsky.social, @iannaconelab.bsky.social, @maurogaya.bsky.social, @manellab.bsky.social, @jnpruneda.bsky.social, Jan Rehwinkel & Mads Gyrd-Hansen for organising.
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
Thrilled to share our new paper on reactive microglial plasticity! Using long-term fate mapping and epigenetic profiling, we uncover the remarkable plasticity of reactive microglia across the lifespan and the enhancers and associated TFs that govern state transitions.
Online now: State-specific enhancer landscapes govern microglial plasticity
State-specific enhancer landscapes govern microglial plasticity
Microglia adopt diverse states throughout life. Whether these represent fixed lineages or reversible plasticity remains unclear. Hamagami and Kapadia et al. show that reactive microglia switch states through reprogramming of histone modifications at state-specific enhancers and associated transcription factors, linking developmental, aging, and disease phenotypes within a unified dynamic framework.
dlvr.it
January 7, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Thrilled to share our new paper on reactive microglial plasticity! Using long-term fate mapping and epigenetic profiling, we uncover the remarkable plasticity of reactive microglia across the lifespan and the enhancers and associated TFs that govern state transitions.
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
Mitochondrial transfer from glia to neurons protects against peripheral neuropathy @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
January 7, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Mitochondrial transfer from glia to neurons protects against peripheral neuropathy @nature.com
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Oliver Harschnitz
I'm super excited to announce that I will join the Human Technopole @humantechnopole.bsky.social in Milan in April 2026 as a Research Group Leader.
January 5, 2026 at 11:49 AM
I'm super excited to announce that I will join the Human Technopole @humantechnopole.bsky.social in Milan in April 2026 as a Research Group Leader.