Helen Zenner
@helenzsci.bsky.social
Community Manager at FocalPlane (@focalplane.bsky.social) and Journal of Cell Science (@jcellsci.bsky.social) Online Editor. Views my own.
Indeed, there are still important goals, like testing whether it is really possible to enjoy drinking a cocktail with a pickled onion in it!
January 8, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Indeed, there are still important goals, like testing whether it is really possible to enjoy drinking a cocktail with a pickled onion in it!
I just read a book called "Why Mummy Drinks"...
January 7, 2026 at 8:36 PM
I just read a book called "Why Mummy Drinks"...
Wow, what a fantastic line up of instructors! Don't miss this opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business โค๏ธ๐ฌ
๐ฌ ๐ฅ๏ธ Applications are open for the CSHL course Quantitative Imaging: From Acquisition to Analysis (April 6โ21, 2026)!
An intensive, hands-on course covering advanced fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis using open-source tools.
๐๏ธ Apply online by Jan 30, 2026
An intensive, hands-on course covering advanced fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis using open-source tools.
๐๏ธ Apply online by Jan 30, 2026
Quantitative Imaging: From Acquisition to Analysis
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Meetings & Courses -- a private, non-profit institution with research programs in cancer, neuroscience, plant biology, genomics, bioinformatics.
meetings.cshl.edu
January 7, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Wow, what a fantastic line up of instructors! Don't miss this opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business โค๏ธ๐ฌ
The 2023 version of this meeting was fantastic and the 2026 programme promises to be just as brilliant! (I may also be thinking of chatting all thing microscopy in the Spanish sunshine while huddled inside in a cold and snowy Cambridge.)
Sign up by Friday 16 Jan for the early-bird discount โคต๏ธ
Sign up by Friday 16 Jan for the early-bird discount โคต๏ธ
Early-bird deadline to join @jcellsci.bsky.social at their meeting on Imaging Cell Dynamics in Spain in May is Friday 16 January. Apply to attend at:
biologists.com/meetings/jcs...
#JCSimaging
biologists.com/meetings/jcs...
#JCSimaging
January 6, 2026 at 10:00 PM
The 2023 version of this meeting was fantastic and the 2026 programme promises to be just as brilliant! (I may also be thinking of chatting all thing microscopy in the Spanish sunshine while huddled inside in a cold and snowy Cambridge.)
Sign up by Friday 16 Jan for the early-bird discount โคต๏ธ
Sign up by Friday 16 Jan for the early-bird discount โคต๏ธ
Reposted by Helen Zenner
๐ฌ ๐ฅ๏ธ Applications are open for the CSHL course Quantitative Imaging: From Acquisition to Analysis (April 6โ21, 2026)!
An intensive, hands-on course covering advanced fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis using open-source tools.
๐๏ธ Apply online by Jan 30, 2026
An intensive, hands-on course covering advanced fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis using open-source tools.
๐๏ธ Apply online by Jan 30, 2026
Quantitative Imaging: From Acquisition to Analysis
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Meetings & Courses -- a private, non-profit institution with research programs in cancer, neuroscience, plant biology, genomics, bioinformatics.
meetings.cshl.edu
January 6, 2026 at 7:18 PM
๐ฌ ๐ฅ๏ธ Applications are open for the CSHL course Quantitative Imaging: From Acquisition to Analysis (April 6โ21, 2026)!
An intensive, hands-on course covering advanced fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis using open-source tools.
๐๏ธ Apply online by Jan 30, 2026
An intensive, hands-on course covering advanced fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis using open-source tools.
๐๏ธ Apply online by Jan 30, 2026
Ok, so my 11 yo says he is going to work it out as well, but has informed me that he'll probably need a lot of machinery. He has to do some unfolding to get started, as apparently you can't do inventing in school uniform!
December 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Ok, so my 11 yo says he is going to work it out as well, but has informed me that he'll probably need a lot of machinery. He has to do some unfolding to get started, as apparently you can't do inventing in school uniform!
Amazing research and such a fantastic scicomm video.
I'd like to show it to my kids, but I'm afraid that it'll backfire and they'll use it to explain why all the clothes in their cupboards are unfolded despite the fact they were folded when they went in....
I'd like to show it to my kids, but I'm afraid that it'll backfire and they'll use it to explain why all the clothes in their cupboards are unfolded despite the fact they were folded when they went in....
(1/n) What if you never had to make your bed? What if your laundry could fold itself? Folding is everywhere around us - but did you know that folding flat sheets are at the โค๏ธ of diversity of shapes in the animal world - since 500 million years ago. Our latest work: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nudC...
Self-folding laundry
YouTube video by PrakashLab
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Amazing research and such a fantastic scicomm video.
I'd like to show it to my kids, but I'm afraid that it'll backfire and they'll use it to explain why all the clothes in their cupboards are unfolded despite the fact they were folded when they went in....
I'd like to show it to my kids, but I'm afraid that it'll backfire and they'll use it to explain why all the clothes in their cupboards are unfolded despite the fact they were folded when they went in....
Thanks for catching that background slide, Chris!
And thanks for the shout to @the-node.bsky.social, @prelights.bsky.social & @focalplane.bsky.social, Jez.
I'm sad to miss the UK membrane trafficking meeting this year, but hope to see you both at @jcellsci.bsky.social imaging meeting next year!
And thanks for the shout to @the-node.bsky.social, @prelights.bsky.social & @focalplane.bsky.social, Jez.
I'm sad to miss the UK membrane trafficking meeting this year, but hope to see you both at @jcellsci.bsky.social imaging meeting next year!
Havenโt posted for a while but @jezcarlton.bsky.social opening up the annual UK membrane trafficking meeting #UKMT seems like an appropriate reason to post!
Great line up - as ever - with organisers Jez and Chris Stefan introducing a poster session too ๐ค
Great line up - as ever - with organisers Jez and Chris Stefan introducing a poster session too ๐ค
December 15, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Thanks for catching that background slide, Chris!
And thanks for the shout to @the-node.bsky.social, @prelights.bsky.social & @focalplane.bsky.social, Jez.
I'm sad to miss the UK membrane trafficking meeting this year, but hope to see you both at @jcellsci.bsky.social imaging meeting next year!
And thanks for the shout to @the-node.bsky.social, @prelights.bsky.social & @focalplane.bsky.social, Jez.
I'm sad to miss the UK membrane trafficking meeting this year, but hope to see you both at @jcellsci.bsky.social imaging meeting next year!
* holders
^ coverslips
** knives
^ coverslips
** knives
December 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
* holders
^ coverslips
** knives
^ coverslips
** knives
Love this story from @andreamurillo.bsky.social.
It was fun to think back to when @em-stp.bsky.social & @jemimaburden.bsky.social taught me EM and I got to play with gold*, sapphire^ and diamond**! I was so excited to get our paper published in JCS, & now I have the pleasure to be part of the team.
It was fun to think back to when @em-stp.bsky.social & @jemimaburden.bsky.social taught me EM and I got to play with gold*, sapphire^ and diamond**! I was so excited to get our paper published in JCS, & now I have the pleasure to be part of the team.
As we reflect on the past 100 years, one thing becomes clear: the impact we have had on the communities we serve is only possible because of our inspiring and motivated staff. Read more about the people behind the Company here: bit.ly/44nyx2r
December 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Love this story from @andreamurillo.bsky.social.
It was fun to think back to when @em-stp.bsky.social & @jemimaburden.bsky.social taught me EM and I got to play with gold*, sapphire^ and diamond**! I was so excited to get our paper published in JCS, & now I have the pleasure to be part of the team.
It was fun to think back to when @em-stp.bsky.social & @jemimaburden.bsky.social taught me EM and I got to play with gold*, sapphire^ and diamond**! I was so excited to get our paper published in JCS, & now I have the pleasure to be part of the team.
I'm later to the party, but
December 5, 2025 at 8:28 AM
I'm later to the party, but
Now that's image stitching!
My fun discovery this Friday is this montage of 33 electron micrographs in published in @jcellsci.bsky.social in the 1960s. The original measured 3ft square!
My fun discovery this Friday is this montage of 33 electron micrographs in published in @jcellsci.bsky.social in the 1960s. The original measured 3ft square!
October 3, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Now that's image stitching!
My fun discovery this Friday is this montage of 33 electron micrographs in published in @jcellsci.bsky.social in the 1960s. The original measured 3ft square!
My fun discovery this Friday is this montage of 33 electron micrographs in published in @jcellsci.bsky.social in the 1960s. The original measured 3ft square!
Yes, this! Especially combined with having to heat seal the tubes!
August 14, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Yes, this! Especially combined with having to heat seal the tubes!
That sounds like a perfect opportunity for a 10 year label-versary party next year!?
June 12, 2025 at 2:10 PM
That sounds like a perfect opportunity for a 10 year label-versary party next year!?
Hahaha, I used to do that with torn labels. Each time I'd wonder why I didn't make a fresh label rather than having to transfer 2 labels each time, especially when they were losing their stickiness, but I'd still keep doing it!
June 9, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Hahaha, I used to do that with torn labels. Each time I'd wonder why I didn't make a fresh label rather than having to transfer 2 labels each time, especially when they were losing their stickiness, but I'd still keep doing it!
I'm looking forward to the lovely pictures from the exciting conference that's going on next week! #sharethejoy #jealous #fomo
May 15, 2025 at 9:20 AM
I'm looking forward to the lovely pictures from the exciting conference that's going on next week! #sharethejoy #jealous #fomo
Reposted by Helen Zenner
Probably the coolest thing I learned at #ABRF was that there is a website called "core in a box" all about starting a core and management. Check it out!
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/research/res...
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/research/res...
Core in a Box
www.hopkinsmedicine.org
March 31, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Probably the coolest thing I learned at #ABRF was that there is a website called "core in a box" all about starting a core and management. Check it out!
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/research/res...
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/research/res...
Reposted by Helen Zenner
#MicroscopyMonday!
Join @bioimagingna.bsky.social for a conversation with @clairebrown514.bsky.social as part of our Career Speaker series!
Learn More & Register here
buff.ly/9nB1qnC
Join @bioimagingna.bsky.social for a conversation with @clairebrown514.bsky.social as part of our Career Speaker series!
Learn More & Register here
buff.ly/9nB1qnC
March 31, 2025 at 2:59 PM
#MicroscopyMonday!
Join @bioimagingna.bsky.social for a conversation with @clairebrown514.bsky.social as part of our Career Speaker series!
Learn More & Register here
buff.ly/9nB1qnC
Join @bioimagingna.bsky.social for a conversation with @clairebrown514.bsky.social as part of our Career Speaker series!
Learn More & Register here
buff.ly/9nB1qnC
At the end of last year, I was lucky enough to chat with both Jennifer and Manu. Check out these interviews in @jcellsci.bsky.social to find out more about these extraordinary scientists!
Our final plenary session at #biologists100 is on emerging technologies with talks from Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz and Manu Prakash @prakashlab.bsky.social. You can read our interviews with Jennifer and Manu in JCS: journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
March 27, 2025 at 9:37 AM
At the end of last year, I was lucky enough to chat with both Jennifer and Manu. Check out these interviews in @jcellsci.bsky.social to find out more about these extraordinary scientists!
Reposted by Helen Zenner
We're turning 15 this year๐ฅณThe past and present Community Managers got together to chat about what it's like working at the Node, and what they've been doing since:
@easternblot.bsky.social @catcvicente.bsky.social @aidanmaartens.bsky.social @helenzsci.bsky.social @joyceyu.bsky.social #biologists100
@easternblot.bsky.social @catcvicente.bsky.social @aidanmaartens.bsky.social @helenzsci.bsky.social @joyceyu.bsky.social #biologists100
A conversation with the Node Community Managers, past and present - the Node
To mark the 15th birthday of the Node, the past and present Community Managers of the Node got together to chat about what it's like working at the Node, and how this job has influenced their subseque...
thenode.biologists.com
March 24, 2025 at 11:32 AM
We're turning 15 this year๐ฅณThe past and present Community Managers got together to chat about what it's like working at the Node, and what they've been doing since:
@easternblot.bsky.social @catcvicente.bsky.social @aidanmaartens.bsky.social @helenzsci.bsky.social @joyceyu.bsky.social #biologists100
@easternblot.bsky.social @catcvicente.bsky.social @aidanmaartens.bsky.social @helenzsci.bsky.social @joyceyu.bsky.social #biologists100
I always get a little nervous when attending conferences and knowing what to expect helps. We give a few insights into what to expect at #biologists100 & do reach out if you have any qs about the meeting.
Also, there's a possibility that I once went to the wrong door at the ACC, so we explain all!!
Also, there's a possibility that I once went to the wrong door at the ACC, so we explain all!!
Attending #biologists100 in Liverpool?
Weโve put together a pre-conference recording together with @the-node.bsky.social and @prelights.bsky.social.
And @jens-cells.bsky.social has published a general conference guide on the Node to help you prep!
focalplane.biologists.com/2025/03/17/b...
Weโve put together a pre-conference recording together with @the-node.bsky.social and @prelights.bsky.social.
And @jens-cells.bsky.social has published a general conference guide on the Node to help you prep!
focalplane.biologists.com/2025/03/17/b...
Biologists @ 100 video guide - FocalPlane
Biologists @ 100 video guide - News
focalplane.biologists.com
March 18, 2025 at 10:35 AM
I always get a little nervous when attending conferences and knowing what to expect helps. We give a few insights into what to expect at #biologists100 & do reach out if you have any qs about the meeting.
Also, there's a possibility that I once went to the wrong door at the ACC, so we explain all!!
Also, there's a possibility that I once went to the wrong door at the ACC, so we explain all!!
It's almost impossible to choose!
We're excited to get the images back from the printers, along with something for another little project that our community sites are working on with our conference reporters ๐ for #biologists100.
We're excited to get the images back from the printers, along with something for another little project that our community sites are working on with our conference reporters ๐ for #biologists100.
A very hard decision ๐ but choosing a favourite will help them feature at #biologists100!!
Voting is open in our image competition with @the-node.bsky.social.
Thanks to everyone that entered, and congratulations to our final 15. Now it's your turn to pick your favourite!
Look out for our gallery of images at the Biologists @ 100 conference #biologists100.
Thanks to everyone that entered, and congratulations to our final 15. Now it's your turn to pick your favourite!
Look out for our gallery of images at the Biologists @ 100 conference #biologists100.
March 13, 2025 at 9:58 AM
It's almost impossible to choose!
We're excited to get the images back from the printers, along with something for another little project that our community sites are working on with our conference reporters ๐ for #biologists100.
We're excited to get the images back from the printers, along with something for another little project that our community sites are working on with our conference reporters ๐ for #biologists100.
Reposted by Helen Zenner
@the-node.bsky.social #biologists100 reporter @jens-cells.bsky.social is putting together a conference survival guide. What are your top tips for getting the most out of your conference experience.
๐งชGetting ready for #biologists100; whatโs the best way to prepare? ๐ค
Conference Survival Guide Needed! ๐ If you could give ONE piece of advice to a first-time attendee, what would it be? Letโs help the newcomers thrive! โจ #SciComm #ConferenceTips #AcademicLife #AcademicSky @the-node.bsky.social
Conference Survival Guide Needed! ๐ If you could give ONE piece of advice to a first-time attendee, what would it be? Letโs help the newcomers thrive! โจ #SciComm #ConferenceTips #AcademicLife #AcademicSky @the-node.bsky.social
March 6, 2025 at 2:14 PM
@the-node.bsky.social #biologists100 reporter @jens-cells.bsky.social is putting together a conference survival guide. What are your top tips for getting the most out of your conference experience.
Good choice! But if we are allowed to play favourites, I thought this one from Malina Iwanski, Lukas Kapitein and team was pretty cool.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
If we had to pick a favorite ๐
"Geometry-driven asymmetric cell divisions pattern cell cycles and zygotic genome activation in the zebrafish embryo" from @heisenbergcplab.bsky.social et al.
๐ to preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
๐ to full list: focalplane.biologists.com/2025/02/21/m...
"Geometry-driven asymmetric cell divisions pattern cell cycles and zygotic genome activation in the zebrafish embryo" from @heisenbergcplab.bsky.social et al.
๐ to preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
๐ to full list: focalplane.biologists.com/2025/02/21/m...
Our preprints list is now up on FocalPlane! This week we focus on research that has applied microscopy to answer questions in biology. As always, let us know if there are any recent preprints that you think we should highlight.
focalplane.biologists.com/2025/02/21/m...
focalplane.biologists.com/2025/02/21/m...
February 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Good choice! But if we are allowed to play favourites, I thought this one from Malina Iwanski, Lukas Kapitein and team was pretty cool.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...