Hubrecht Institute
@hubrechtinstitute.bsky.social
Contributing to a better world through research into the fundamental processes of living cells, tissues and organisms. The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute of KNAW and is affiliated with the UMC Utrecht.
Today, Sonja Ruttchen Weterings successfully defended her PhD thesis! She investigated how the timing of molecular signals influences cell renewal in the small intestine. Congratulations Sonja! 🎓 www.hubrecht.eu/phd-ruttchen-weterings
PhD defense Sonja Ruttchen Wetering
Sonja Ruttchen Weterings successfully defended her PhD thesis. She studied how signal timing influences cell production in the intestine.
www.hubrecht.eu
December 3, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Today, Sonja Ruttchen Weterings successfully defended her PhD thesis! She investigated how the timing of molecular signals influences cell renewal in the small intestine. Congratulations Sonja! 🎓 www.hubrecht.eu/phd-ruttchen-weterings
🧬 What happens if you bring enhancers closer to their target genes? Today, @akfelder.bsky.social defended her thesis in which she developed a method to answer that question. Activating silent genes in this way could be a new approach to gene therapy. Congratulations Anna!🎓 www.hubrecht.eu/phd-felder
PhD defense Anna-Karina Felder
Anna-Karina Felder successfully defended her PhD thesis. She studied the role of the distance between enhancers and their target genes.
www.hubrecht.eu
December 1, 2025 at 12:56 PM
🧬 What happens if you bring enhancers closer to their target genes? Today, @akfelder.bsky.social defended her thesis in which she developed a method to answer that question. Activating silent genes in this way could be a new approach to gene therapy. Congratulations Anna!🎓 www.hubrecht.eu/phd-felder
Joost Wijnakker from the @hansclevers.bsky.social group defended his PhD today. He found that the bacterial protein Invasin can support organoid growth without animal-derived Matrigel. A key step toward fully animal-free, defined organoid culture. Congrats! See www.hubrecht.eu/phd-joost-wijnakker/
Animal-free perspectives for organoid culture - PhD Defense Joost Wijnakker
Joost Wijnakker successfully defended his PhD thesis "Exploring Integrin Function to Enable Defined, Animal-Free Organoid Culture".
www.hubrecht.eu
November 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Joost Wijnakker from the @hansclevers.bsky.social group defended his PhD today. He found that the bacterial protein Invasin can support organoid growth without animal-derived Matrigel. A key step toward fully animal-free, defined organoid culture. Congrats! See www.hubrecht.eu/phd-joost-wijnakker/
New publication in @natbiotech.nature.com! Wim de Lau and colleagues from @hansclevers.bsky.social group describe an integrin-activating antibody that enhances organoid growth also in, medical-grade, collagen. An important step toward more affordable and translational organoid culture systems.
October 30, 2025 at 1:12 PM
New publication in @natbiotech.nature.com! Wim de Lau and colleagues from @hansclevers.bsky.social group describe an integrin-activating antibody that enhances organoid growth also in, medical-grade, collagen. An important step toward more affordable and translational organoid culture systems.
The mystery deepens: how did all complex life on Earth originate? In this intriguing VPRO Tegenlicht episode (in Dutch), PhD student Max Raas from the @kopslab.bsky.social talks about his collaboration with Berend Snel. They study the evolution of cell division machinery in single-celled organisms.
Hoe is al het complexe leven op aarde eigenlijk ontstaan?
Wat DNA uit slootwater ons vertelt over jouw onbekende voorouders | VPRO Tegenlicht
YouTube video by VPRO Tegenlicht
youtu.be
October 28, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The mystery deepens: how did all complex life on Earth originate? In this intriguing VPRO Tegenlicht episode (in Dutch), PhD student Max Raas from the @kopslab.bsky.social talks about his collaboration with Berend Snel. They study the evolution of cell division machinery in single-celled organisms.
Can blood vessel organoids help us generate transplantable blood stem cells in the lab? Fabien Boudia can now explore this question thanks to a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship. Read more about his project via www.hubrecht.eu/marie-curie-...
October 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Can blood vessel organoids help us generate transplantable blood stem cells in the lab? Fabien Boudia can now explore this question thanks to a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship. Read more about his project via www.hubrecht.eu/marie-curie-...
Researchers at Hubrecht Institute and Radboud University developed an animal-free gel in which organoids can grow and expand long-term. The PIC-invasin gel allows for more consistent, ethical and affordable organoid research. @hansclevers.bsky.social @pnas.org
🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/cekttmhhtn
🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/cekttmhhtn
October 21, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Researchers at Hubrecht Institute and Radboud University developed an animal-free gel in which organoids can grow and expand long-term. The PIC-invasin gel allows for more consistent, ethical and affordable organoid research. @hansclevers.bsky.social @pnas.org
🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/cekttmhhtn
🔗 https://f.mtr.cool/cekttmhhtn
What is this? It is cohesin, a molecular machine inside our cells, looping the DNA. Today, researchers at the Hubrecht Institute and NKI published a new molecular tool that allows them to study the effects of this process in living cells: www.nature.com/articles/s41....
🎥 Cees Dekker Lab, TU Delft.
🎥 Cees Dekker Lab, TU Delft.
October 16, 2025 at 9:11 AM
What is this? It is cohesin, a molecular machine inside our cells, looping the DNA. Today, researchers at the Hubrecht Institute and NKI published a new molecular tool that allows them to study the effects of this process in living cells: www.nature.com/articles/s41....
🎥 Cees Dekker Lab, TU Delft.
🎥 Cees Dekker Lab, TU Delft.
Can organoids help us better understand and treat kidney disease? Fjodor Yousef Yengej set out to answer this question during his PhD. Today, he was awarded the cum laude distinction after successfully defending his thesis. 🎓 Congratulations Fjodor! Read more 👉 www.hubrecht.eu/phd-yousef-y...
PhD defense Fjodor Yousef Yengej
Fjodor Yousef Yengej successfully defended his thesis ‘Organoids: Translation to clinical nephrology’ on October 14th.
www.hubrecht.eu
October 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Can organoids help us better understand and treat kidney disease? Fjodor Yousef Yengej set out to answer this question during his PhD. Today, he was awarded the cum laude distinction after successfully defending his thesis. 🎓 Congratulations Fjodor! Read more 👉 www.hubrecht.eu/phd-yousef-y...
Save the date! The second Hubrecht Symposium will take place on March 26, 2026. This year’s theme is “Molecular Machines in Development”, with Petra Hajkova, Andrea Pauli and @danielgerlich.bsky.social as keynote speakers. Registration opens soon, stay tuned via hubrecht.eu/hubrecht-symposium/.
October 7, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Save the date! The second Hubrecht Symposium will take place on March 26, 2026. This year’s theme is “Molecular Machines in Development”, with Petra Hajkova, Andrea Pauli and @danielgerlich.bsky.social as keynote speakers. Registration opens soon, stay tuned via hubrecht.eu/hubrecht-symposium/.
Congratulations to @hansclevers.bsky.social for receiving the Spanish Abarca Prize. "By discovering the Lgr5 marker and introducing gut organoid culture, he laid the foundation for a technology that today redefines biomedical research and clinical care." www.abarcaprize.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Congratulations to @hansclevers.bsky.social for receiving the Spanish Abarca Prize. "By discovering the Lgr5 marker and introducing gut organoid culture, he laid the foundation for a technology that today redefines biomedical research and clinical care." www.abarcaprize.com
We spoke to Miguel Leung, who today celebrates his first year as a group leader at the Hubrecht Institute. His group uses structural cell biology to study reproduction and microbial diversity at atomic resolution. Read the full interview here: www.hubrecht.eu/one-year-in-...
October 1, 2025 at 9:47 AM
We spoke to Miguel Leung, who today celebrates his first year as a group leader at the Hubrecht Institute. His group uses structural cell biology to study reproduction and microbial diversity at atomic resolution. Read the full interview here: www.hubrecht.eu/one-year-in-...
Congrats to @maxmadern.bsky.social from the @marvintanenbaum.bsky.social group! He received the CS&D Best Publication Award for work revealing that ribosomes can help each other when translating tricky sequences. This was made possible by a method using circular RNA to watch ribosomes in action.
September 30, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Congrats to @maxmadern.bsky.social from the @marvintanenbaum.bsky.social group! He received the CS&D Best Publication Award for work revealing that ribosomes can help each other when translating tricky sequences. This was made possible by a method using circular RNA to watch ribosomes in action.
Looking for a Sunday activity, suitable for curious minds (young and old)? Visit our stand at Utrecht University on October 5th, during the Weekend of Science!
Here, you can discover all about DNA and learn more about the research at the Hubrecht Institute. More details below! 👇
Here, you can discover all about DNA and learn more about the research at the Hubrecht Institute. More details below! 👇
September 29, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Looking for a Sunday activity, suitable for curious minds (young and old)? Visit our stand at Utrecht University on October 5th, during the Weekend of Science!
Here, you can discover all about DNA and learn more about the research at the Hubrecht Institute. More details below! 👇
Here, you can discover all about DNA and learn more about the research at the Hubrecht Institute. More details below! 👇
Utrecht Science Week opened today! From September 26th to October 5th, Utrecht Science Park opens its doors to the public. Curious to see our labs from the inside? Register for our tour on October 2nd: https://www.utrechtsciencepark.nl/en/utrecht-science-week/programme?open=184. More details below 👇
September 26, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Utrecht Science Week opened today! From September 26th to October 5th, Utrecht Science Park opens its doors to the public. Curious to see our labs from the inside? Register for our tour on October 2nd: https://www.utrechtsciencepark.nl/en/utrecht-science-week/programme?open=184. More details below 👇
Ready to establish your own research group at the Hubrecht Institute for Molecular and Developmental Biology? We’re seeking a tenure-track group leader to develop an innovative research line within our vibrant scientific community. Learn more & apply! https://f.mtr.cool/jncxfqkuds
September 26, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Ready to establish your own research group at the Hubrecht Institute for Molecular and Developmental Biology? We’re seeking a tenure-track group leader to develop an innovative research line within our vibrant scientific community. Learn more & apply! https://f.mtr.cool/jncxfqkuds
🧬 Hubrecht researchers have developed a method that can detect DNA methylation and histone modifications simultaneously in single cells. They can now for the first time study how their interaction influences gene activity. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-025-02847-4
@jervdberg.bsky.social
@jervdberg.bsky.social
September 25, 2025 at 9:04 AM
🧬 Hubrecht researchers have developed a method that can detect DNA methylation and histone modifications simultaneously in single cells. They can now for the first time study how their interaction influences gene activity. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-025-02847-4
@jervdberg.bsky.social
@jervdberg.bsky.social
Congratulations to Juan Garaycoechea, @puckknipscheer.bsky.social and team CAUSE for being shortlisted in this year’s @cancergrand.bsky.social! They compete with 11 teams for £20M to study how DNA damage leads to mutation signatures in our DNA that can cause cancer. #CancerGrandChallenges
September 24, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Congratulations to Juan Garaycoechea, @puckknipscheer.bsky.social and team CAUSE for being shortlisted in this year’s @cancergrand.bsky.social! They compete with 11 teams for £20M to study how DNA damage leads to mutation signatures in our DNA that can cause cancer. #CancerGrandChallenges
Final chance to apply for the Hubrecht International PhD Program! Applications close September 15th. 👇
🧬 Looking for a PhD position in molecular or developmental biology? 🔬
✉️ The Hubrecht Institute now has its very own PhD program! Applications are open and will be accepted until September 15th. Read more here 👉 www.hubrecht.eu/hipp/
✉️ The Hubrecht Institute now has its very own PhD program! Applications are open and will be accepted until September 15th. Read more here 👉 www.hubrecht.eu/hipp/
September 11, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Final chance to apply for the Hubrecht International PhD Program! Applications close September 15th. 👇
🎓 Today, Vincent van Batenburg successfully defended his thesis! He studied gastruloids, a model for early embryonic development, and also developed a technique to measure the speed of DNA replication in single cells. Congratulations Vincent!
Read more 👉
Read more 👉
Gastruloids and DNA replication – PhD defense Vincent van Batenburg
Vincent van Batenburg successfully defended his PhD thesis. He worked on gastruloids and a new technique for studying DNA replication.
www.hubrecht.eu
September 11, 2025 at 11:51 AM
🎓 Today, Vincent van Batenburg successfully defended his thesis! He studied gastruloids, a model for early embryonic development, and also developed a technique to measure the speed of DNA replication in single cells. Congratulations Vincent!
Read more 👉
Read more 👉
Kim de Luca, Hubrecht alumna from the Kind group, was featured by MIT Technology Review in this year's Innovators Under 35! Swipe to read more.
The full list can be found here: http://www.technologyreview.com/innovators-under-35/2025/.
The full list can be found here: http://www.technologyreview.com/innovators-under-35/2025/.
September 11, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Kim de Luca, Hubrecht alumna from the Kind group, was featured by MIT Technology Review in this year's Innovators Under 35! Swipe to read more.
The full list can be found here: http://www.technologyreview.com/innovators-under-35/2025/.
The full list can be found here: http://www.technologyreview.com/innovators-under-35/2025/.
Reposted by Hubrecht Institute
1/11 In @science.org: A new perspective on how our intestines renew. Cells are not “pushed out” by crowding or die from apoptosis. Instead, cells play a mechanical tug-of-war, where weaker cells extrude, reframing gut renewal as force-regulated. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Epithelial tension controls intestinal cell extrusion
Cell extrusion is essential for homeostatic self-renewal of the intestinal epithelium. Extrusion is thought to be triggered by crowding-induced compression of cells at the intestinal villus tip. In th...
www.science.org
September 6, 2025 at 7:36 PM
1/11 In @science.org: A new perspective on how our intestines renew. Cells are not “pushed out” by crowding or die from apoptosis. Instead, cells play a mechanical tug-of-war, where weaker cells extrude, reframing gut renewal as force-regulated. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Intestinal cells are replaced every few days. Scientists always assumed that excess cells were pushed out to remove them, but now show that cells instead pull at each other in a sort of tug-of-war game to remove the weakest ones. 👉 www.hubrecht.eu/intestinal-cells-pull
@hansclevers.bsky.social
@hansclevers.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Intestinal cells are replaced every few days. Scientists always assumed that excess cells were pushed out to remove them, but now show that cells instead pull at each other in a sort of tug-of-war game to remove the weakest ones. 👉 www.hubrecht.eu/intestinal-cells-pull
@hansclevers.bsky.social
@hansclevers.bsky.social
We are pleased to welcome back former Hubrecht director and group leader @hansclevers.bsky.social to the Hubrecht Institute as of today! He will lead the Organoid group – now Clevers group – in the role of distinguished group leader.
Read more on our website 👉 www.hubrecht.eu/clevers-retu...
Read more on our website 👉 www.hubrecht.eu/clevers-retu...
Hans Clevers returns to the Hubrecht Institute
Hans Clevers returns to the Hubrecht Institute from September 1st. He will lead the Clevers group as distinguished group leader.
www.hubrecht.eu
September 1, 2025 at 10:05 AM
We are pleased to welcome back former Hubrecht director and group leader @hansclevers.bsky.social to the Hubrecht Institute as of today! He will lead the Organoid group – now Clevers group – in the role of distinguished group leader.
Read more on our website 👉 www.hubrecht.eu/clevers-retu...
Read more on our website 👉 www.hubrecht.eu/clevers-retu...
Congratulations to the Bothma group for becoming the very first lab at our institute to achieve a LEAF Silver certificate!
We are proud to see our labs adopting more sustainable practices, and we will continue working to make the Hubrecht Institute future-proof!
We are proud to see our labs adopting more sustainable practices, and we will continue working to make the Hubrecht Institute future-proof!
August 29, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Congratulations to the Bothma group for becoming the very first lab at our institute to achieve a LEAF Silver certificate!
We are proud to see our labs adopting more sustainable practices, and we will continue working to make the Hubrecht Institute future-proof!
We are proud to see our labs adopting more sustainable practices, and we will continue working to make the Hubrecht Institute future-proof!