Marko Kaksonen
@kaksonen.bsky.social
Biologist fascinated by cells, molecules and the evolution of cellular processes.
Membrane traffic, cytoskeleton, microscopy, fungi, evolutionary cell biology.
https://www.unige.ch/sciences/biochimie/labs/marko-kaksonen/
Membrane traffic, cytoskeleton, microscopy, fungi, evolutionary cell biology.
https://www.unige.ch/sciences/biochimie/labs/marko-kaksonen/
Pinned
Marko Kaksonen
@kaksonen.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Starting my Bluesky life by resharing this six-day time lapse movie of Dictyostelium discoideum we took a few years ago.
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
📢Job alert📢
@uniheidelberg.bsky.social has an opening for a full W3-position on “Modeling of Biological Processes” 😀👍 Here is the call
tinyurl.com/3w9e9dtf
and application deadline is March 15. The group would be located at the beautiful #BioQuant center right in the middle of Neuenheimer Feld.
@uniheidelberg.bsky.social has an opening for a full W3-position on “Modeling of Biological Processes” 😀👍 Here is the call
tinyurl.com/3w9e9dtf
and application deadline is March 15. The group would be located at the beautiful #BioQuant center right in the middle of Neuenheimer Feld.
January 30, 2026 at 3:47 PM
📢Job alert📢
@uniheidelberg.bsky.social has an opening for a full W3-position on “Modeling of Biological Processes” 😀👍 Here is the call
tinyurl.com/3w9e9dtf
and application deadline is March 15. The group would be located at the beautiful #BioQuant center right in the middle of Neuenheimer Feld.
@uniheidelberg.bsky.social has an opening for a full W3-position on “Modeling of Biological Processes” 😀👍 Here is the call
tinyurl.com/3w9e9dtf
and application deadline is March 15. The group would be located at the beautiful #BioQuant center right in the middle of Neuenheimer Feld.
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
Please share🙏:
Our lab opens 2 PhD positions to investigate fungi's evolution: #Barcelona
Wet lab in Biochemistry/Structural Biology of cryo-tolerant fungi
www.upf.edu/documents/d/...
Computational in Physical Chemistry of cellular processes under extrem environments
www.upf.edu/documents/d/...
Our lab opens 2 PhD positions to investigate fungi's evolution: #Barcelona
Wet lab in Biochemistry/Structural Biology of cryo-tolerant fungi
www.upf.edu/documents/d/...
Computational in Physical Chemistry of cellular processes under extrem environments
www.upf.edu/documents/d/...
www.upf.edu
January 26, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Please share🙏:
Our lab opens 2 PhD positions to investigate fungi's evolution: #Barcelona
Wet lab in Biochemistry/Structural Biology of cryo-tolerant fungi
www.upf.edu/documents/d/...
Computational in Physical Chemistry of cellular processes under extrem environments
www.upf.edu/documents/d/...
Our lab opens 2 PhD positions to investigate fungi's evolution: #Barcelona
Wet lab in Biochemistry/Structural Biology of cryo-tolerant fungi
www.upf.edu/documents/d/...
Computational in Physical Chemistry of cellular processes under extrem environments
www.upf.edu/documents/d/...
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
0/10
🥳 our #exocyst paper out in @cp-cell.bsky.social, led by Marta, Sebas & @sasmeek.bsky.social in collab with @jonasries.bsky.social, @cmanzo.bsky.social & Castaño-Díez labs #Quantitative_Cell_Biology
Continuum architecture dynamics of vesicle tethering in exocytosis
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
🥳 our #exocyst paper out in @cp-cell.bsky.social, led by Marta, Sebas & @sasmeek.bsky.social in collab with @jonasries.bsky.social, @cmanzo.bsky.social & Castaño-Díez labs #Quantitative_Cell_Biology
Continuum architecture dynamics of vesicle tethering in exocytosis
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Continuum architecture dynamics of vesicle tethering in exocytosis
Data from complementary imaging techniques were integrated into a model that resolves
the dynamic exocyst ensemble and membrane architecture during exocytosis, an essential
cellular pathway. Sec18 med...
www.cell.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:28 PM
0/10
🥳 our #exocyst paper out in @cp-cell.bsky.social, led by Marta, Sebas & @sasmeek.bsky.social in collab with @jonasries.bsky.social, @cmanzo.bsky.social & Castaño-Díez labs #Quantitative_Cell_Biology
Continuum architecture dynamics of vesicle tethering in exocytosis
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
🥳 our #exocyst paper out in @cp-cell.bsky.social, led by Marta, Sebas & @sasmeek.bsky.social in collab with @jonasries.bsky.social, @cmanzo.bsky.social & Castaño-Díez labs #Quantitative_Cell_Biology
Continuum architecture dynamics of vesicle tethering in exocytosis
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
📢 Open faculty position – Origins of Life
We have an opening in our section at the University of Geneva! 🧬🚀
SPREAD THE WORD
Apply here: jobs.unige.ch/www/wd_porta...
We have an opening in our section at the University of Geneva! 🧬🚀
SPREAD THE WORD
Apply here: jobs.unige.ch/www/wd_porta...
a woman says " would you like to join us " with her eyes closed
ALT: a woman says " would you like to join us " with her eyes closed
media.tenor.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:49 PM
📢 Open faculty position – Origins of Life
We have an opening in our section at the University of Geneva! 🧬🚀
SPREAD THE WORD
Apply here: jobs.unige.ch/www/wd_porta...
We have an opening in our section at the University of Geneva! 🧬🚀
SPREAD THE WORD
Apply here: jobs.unige.ch/www/wd_porta...
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
We are excited to share our new preprint which is now available to read on biorXiv: doi.org/10.64898/202... 🎉🎉🎉
January 13, 2026 at 2:39 PM
We are excited to share our new preprint which is now available to read on biorXiv: doi.org/10.64898/202... 🎉🎉🎉
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
New preprint from the lab 🎉: γ-tubulin is a novel target of the tubulin autoregulation pathway! Previously thought to exclusively target α- and β-tubulin mRNAs, we show that the TTC5–SCAPER–CNOT11 axis also degrades γ-tubulin mRNA, expanding the scope of this fundamental regulatory mechanism.
January 10, 2026 at 11:17 AM
New preprint from the lab 🎉: γ-tubulin is a novel target of the tubulin autoregulation pathway! Previously thought to exclusively target α- and β-tubulin mRNAs, we show that the TTC5–SCAPER–CNOT11 axis also degrades γ-tubulin mRNA, expanding the scope of this fundamental regulatory mechanism.
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
My lab in the NIH Intramural Program (Bethesda, MD) will be recruiting postdoctoral fellows over the next year with flexible start dates. We work on nanoscale cellular imaging of the plasma membrane and related organelles. Please reach out if you’re interested. www.training.nih.gov/jobs/pdp-053...
December 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
My lab in the NIH Intramural Program (Bethesda, MD) will be recruiting postdoctoral fellows over the next year with flexible start dates. We work on nanoscale cellular imaging of the plasma membrane and related organelles. Please reach out if you’re interested. www.training.nih.gov/jobs/pdp-053...
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
Thanks @jcellsci.bsky.social for this opportunity to contribute to your centenary collection with our take on the state of the field - 10 years after its modern reincarnation 🧪🌍
W/ @alebenoit.bsky.social @eelcotromer.bsky.social @fritzlaylin.bsky.social
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
W/ @alebenoit.bsky.social @eelcotromer.bsky.social @fritzlaylin.bsky.social
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Evolutionary cell biology comes of age
Summary: This Perspective discusses how the discipline of evolutionary cell biology, by integrating evolutionary theory, comparative physiology and modern molecular approaches, works to understand how...
journals.biologists.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Thanks @jcellsci.bsky.social for this opportunity to contribute to your centenary collection with our take on the state of the field - 10 years after its modern reincarnation 🧪🌍
W/ @alebenoit.bsky.social @eelcotromer.bsky.social @fritzlaylin.bsky.social
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
W/ @alebenoit.bsky.social @eelcotromer.bsky.social @fritzlaylin.bsky.social
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
Calling all archaeal enthusiasts! 🔬🔥 From molecular machines to microbial communities, Archaea never fail to surprise us!
We are excited to announce the 2026 EMBO Workshop on the Molecular Biology of Archaea, 6–10 July in Cambridge, UK!
Sign up here: meetings.embo.org/event/26-arc...
#ArchaeaSky
We are excited to announce the 2026 EMBO Workshop on the Molecular Biology of Archaea, 6–10 July in Cambridge, UK!
Sign up here: meetings.embo.org/event/26-arc...
#ArchaeaSky
December 16, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Calling all archaeal enthusiasts! 🔬🔥 From molecular machines to microbial communities, Archaea never fail to surprise us!
We are excited to announce the 2026 EMBO Workshop on the Molecular Biology of Archaea, 6–10 July in Cambridge, UK!
Sign up here: meetings.embo.org/event/26-arc...
#ArchaeaSky
We are excited to announce the 2026 EMBO Workshop on the Molecular Biology of Archaea, 6–10 July in Cambridge, UK!
Sign up here: meetings.embo.org/event/26-arc...
#ArchaeaSky
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
🗞️ New preprint from the lab, led by our postdoc Ana Garoña (not on here) in collab with @andreagiometto.bsky.social: “Experimental evolution of cellular miniaturization reveals a mechanism for cell size evolution”, aka: “honey, we shrank the yeasts!” 🎥
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
December 9, 2025 at 5:08 PM
🗞️ New preprint from the lab, led by our postdoc Ana Garoña (not on here) in collab with @andreagiometto.bsky.social: “Experimental evolution of cellular miniaturization reveals a mechanism for cell size evolution”, aka: “honey, we shrank the yeasts!” 🎥
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Congrats Saravanan!!
December 9, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Congrats Saravanan!!
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
An 8-nm precise map in live cells, which revealed #actin aster formation by #myosin V-driven transport of #formin.
Happy to see this work now out! 😃
In collaboration with @kaksonen.bsky.social lab
#yeast #pombe #cell_fusion
@biology-unige.bsky.social
Happy to see this work now out! 😃
In collaboration with @kaksonen.bsky.social lab
#yeast #pombe #cell_fusion
@biology-unige.bsky.social
New work by @valthomas.bsky.social et al. in @sophiemartinlab.bsky.social provides a live, 8-nm precision map of the actin fusion focus for cell-cell fusion in S. #pombe. This reveals #actin aster formation by #myosin Myo52-driven transport of the formin Fus1 nucleator rupress.org/jcb/article/...
December 4, 2025 at 7:22 AM
An 8-nm precise map in live cells, which revealed #actin aster formation by #myosin V-driven transport of #formin.
Happy to see this work now out! 😃
In collaboration with @kaksonen.bsky.social lab
#yeast #pombe #cell_fusion
@biology-unige.bsky.social
Happy to see this work now out! 😃
In collaboration with @kaksonen.bsky.social lab
#yeast #pombe #cell_fusion
@biology-unige.bsky.social
Awesome animation about the molecular complexity of endocytosis!
Today, our animation synthesizing decades of research on actin-mediated endocytosis in budding yeast was published:
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
The result of a fantastic Iwasa-Drubin lab collaboration.
@margotriggi.bsky.social @jiwasa.bsky.social
movie.biologists.com/video/10.124...
journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
The result of a fantastic Iwasa-Drubin lab collaboration.
@margotriggi.bsky.social @jiwasa.bsky.social
movie.biologists.com/video/10.124...
December 2, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Awesome animation about the molecular complexity of endocytosis!
Check out Javi’s discovery of a membrane scission mechanism that is a few billion years old!
New preprint from the lab!!🎉
We show that Asgard archaea ESCRT-III proteins can trigger membrane fission and reveal its molecular mechanism, offering clues to how these cells may have built internal compartments. But do these organisms even have these compartments?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We show that Asgard archaea ESCRT-III proteins can trigger membrane fission and reveal its molecular mechanism, offering clues to how these cells may have built internal compartments. But do these organisms even have these compartments?
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Molecular basis for cellular compartmentalization by an ancient membrane fission mechanism
The emergence of cell compartmentalization depends on membrane fission to create the endomembrane compartments. In eukaryotes, membrane fission is commonly executed by ESCRT-III, a protein complex con...
www.biorxiv.org
December 1, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Check out Javi’s discovery of a membrane scission mechanism that is a few billion years old!
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
How do new centromeres evolve while staying compatible with the division machinery?
Discover it in our new Nature paper! We show centromeres transition gradually via a mix of drift, selection, and sex, reaching new states that still work with the kinetochore.
👉 doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09779-1
Discover it in our new Nature paper! We show centromeres transition gradually via a mix of drift, selection, and sex, reaching new states that still work with the kinetochore.
👉 doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09779-1
November 26, 2025 at 4:21 PM
How do new centromeres evolve while staying compatible with the division machinery?
Discover it in our new Nature paper! We show centromeres transition gradually via a mix of drift, selection, and sex, reaching new states that still work with the kinetochore.
👉 doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09779-1
Discover it in our new Nature paper! We show centromeres transition gradually via a mix of drift, selection, and sex, reaching new states that still work with the kinetochore.
👉 doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09779-1
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
So happy to announce our new preprint, “A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes.” We cultured a novel amoeba from Lassen Volcanic NP (CA, USA) that divides at 63°C (145°F) 🔥 - a new record for euk growth!
#protistsonsky 🧵
#protistsonsky 🧵
November 25, 2025 at 8:41 PM
So happy to announce our new preprint, “A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes.” We cultured a novel amoeba from Lassen Volcanic NP (CA, USA) that divides at 63°C (145°F) 🔥 - a new record for euk growth!
#protistsonsky 🧵
#protistsonsky 🧵
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
interesting work revealing differences between evolutionary distant actins!
"..... ADP-actin filaments depolymerize faster and are mechanically more flexible in Saccharomyces cerevisiae compared to Schizosaccharomyces pombe. "
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
"..... ADP-actin filaments depolymerize faster and are mechanically more flexible in Saccharomyces cerevisiae compared to Schizosaccharomyces pombe. "
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Rapid aging and disassembly of actin filaments from two evolutionary distant yeasts
Actin is an essential cytoskeletal protein that is extremely well conserved across the tree of life. Similarities and differences in the way actin from different species self-assembles into filaments ...
www.biorxiv.org
November 22, 2025 at 1:31 PM
interesting work revealing differences between evolutionary distant actins!
"..... ADP-actin filaments depolymerize faster and are mechanically more flexible in Saccharomyces cerevisiae compared to Schizosaccharomyces pombe. "
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
"..... ADP-actin filaments depolymerize faster and are mechanically more flexible in Saccharomyces cerevisiae compared to Schizosaccharomyces pombe. "
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
Our work on Naegleria Myosin 2 is out!
Naegleria encodes 3 Myo2s which contract its actin network—the first evidence of contractile Myo2 outside of Amorphea.
Myo2 is actually widespread in Naegleria's relatives and correlates with fast cell crawling.
Read more: www.cell.com/current-biol...
Naegleria encodes 3 Myo2s which contract its actin network—the first evidence of contractile Myo2 outside of Amorphea.
Myo2 is actually widespread in Naegleria's relatives and correlates with fast cell crawling.
Read more: www.cell.com/current-biol...
Myosin 2 drives actin contractility in fast-crawling species outside of the amorphean lineage
Myosin 2-dependent actin contractility—the force that powers cell division and migration
in animals, fungi, and other Amorphea—had been previously unknown outside this single
eukaryotic group. Guest e...
www.cell.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Our work on Naegleria Myosin 2 is out!
Naegleria encodes 3 Myo2s which contract its actin network—the first evidence of contractile Myo2 outside of Amorphea.
Myo2 is actually widespread in Naegleria's relatives and correlates with fast cell crawling.
Read more: www.cell.com/current-biol...
Naegleria encodes 3 Myo2s which contract its actin network—the first evidence of contractile Myo2 outside of Amorphea.
Myo2 is actually widespread in Naegleria's relatives and correlates with fast cell crawling.
Read more: www.cell.com/current-biol...
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
This Halloween, we have a spooky evolutionary story for you.
The brainchild of @delaconcepcionjc.bsky.social, Nick Irwin and our fantastic collaborators is now out in @natplants.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here’s why I love this work — and why I think you’ll enjoy it too. 👇
The brainchild of @delaconcepcionjc.bsky.social, Nick Irwin and our fantastic collaborators is now out in @natplants.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here’s why I love this work — and why I think you’ll enjoy it too. 👇
October 31, 2025 at 10:19 AM
This Halloween, we have a spooky evolutionary story for you.
The brainchild of @delaconcepcionjc.bsky.social, Nick Irwin and our fantastic collaborators is now out in @natplants.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here’s why I love this work — and why I think you’ll enjoy it too. 👇
The brainchild of @delaconcepcionjc.bsky.social, Nick Irwin and our fantastic collaborators is now out in @natplants.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here’s why I love this work — and why I think you’ll enjoy it too. 👇
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
🚨Our collaboration with @centriolelab.bsky.social & @gautamdey.bsky.social is out today in @cp-cell.bsky.social
We show that #Expansion #Microscopy is a broad-spectrum modality for Euks, enabling 3D phenotypic maps rooted to phylogeny.
#ProtistsOnSky #SciComm #SciSky
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
We show that #Expansion #Microscopy is a broad-spectrum modality for Euks, enabling 3D phenotypic maps rooted to phylogeny.
#ProtistsOnSky #SciComm #SciSky
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
October 31, 2025 at 2:42 PM
🚨Our collaboration with @centriolelab.bsky.social & @gautamdey.bsky.social is out today in @cp-cell.bsky.social
We show that #Expansion #Microscopy is a broad-spectrum modality for Euks, enabling 3D phenotypic maps rooted to phylogeny.
#ProtistsOnSky #SciComm #SciSky
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
We show that #Expansion #Microscopy is a broad-spectrum modality for Euks, enabling 3D phenotypic maps rooted to phylogeny.
#ProtistsOnSky #SciComm #SciSky
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
Now Christopher Toret is talking about collective invasion organisations in eukaryotic multicellular transitions. #Multicellverse
October 11, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Now Christopher Toret is talking about collective invasion organisations in eukaryotic multicellular transitions. #Multicellverse
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
PhD or Master's position available for Fall 2026!
Interested in how actin drives cell crawling, eating, dividing, or osmoregulation? What about pathogenesis of a brain-eating amoeba? Or eukaryotic evolution? If so, apply through my website: katrinavelle.wixsite.com/science/cont...
Please share!
Interested in how actin drives cell crawling, eating, dividing, or osmoregulation? What about pathogenesis of a brain-eating amoeba? Or eukaryotic evolution? If so, apply through my website: katrinavelle.wixsite.com/science/cont...
Please share!
October 5, 2025 at 5:29 PM
PhD or Master's position available for Fall 2026!
Interested in how actin drives cell crawling, eating, dividing, or osmoregulation? What about pathogenesis of a brain-eating amoeba? Or eukaryotic evolution? If so, apply through my website: katrinavelle.wixsite.com/science/cont...
Please share!
Interested in how actin drives cell crawling, eating, dividing, or osmoregulation? What about pathogenesis of a brain-eating amoeba? Or eukaryotic evolution? If so, apply through my website: katrinavelle.wixsite.com/science/cont...
Please share!
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
Mammalian cells have KSR, budding yeast has Ste5… and fission yeast has Sms1 as the MAPK scaffold for sexual reproduction!
Very excited to share my postdoc work where we discover that the hemi-arrestin Sms1 binds all components of the MAPK cascade, including ERK-like Spk1
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Very excited to share my postdoc work where we discover that the hemi-arrestin Sms1 binds all components of the MAPK cascade, including ERK-like Spk1
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
September 25, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Mammalian cells have KSR, budding yeast has Ste5… and fission yeast has Sms1 as the MAPK scaffold for sexual reproduction!
Very excited to share my postdoc work where we discover that the hemi-arrestin Sms1 binds all components of the MAPK cascade, including ERK-like Spk1
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Very excited to share my postdoc work where we discover that the hemi-arrestin Sms1 binds all components of the MAPK cascade, including ERK-like Spk1
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
Be our new colleague! 🎉
The Dept of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Geneva is hiring an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor.
👉 More details here: lnkd.in/e8Z9eAm4
👉 Our department: mocel.unige.ch
Please feel free to share this opportunity with your network.
The Dept of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Geneva is hiring an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor.
👉 More details here: lnkd.in/e8Z9eAm4
👉 Our department: mocel.unige.ch
Please feel free to share this opportunity with your network.
September 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Be our new colleague! 🎉
The Dept of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Geneva is hiring an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor.
👉 More details here: lnkd.in/e8Z9eAm4
👉 Our department: mocel.unige.ch
Please feel free to share this opportunity with your network.
The Dept of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Geneva is hiring an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor.
👉 More details here: lnkd.in/e8Z9eAm4
👉 Our department: mocel.unige.ch
Please feel free to share this opportunity with your network.
Reposted by Marko Kaksonen
How does cell end developmental biology inform our understanding of evolution? Join us for an afternoon of discussion about #cells, #development, #plasticity and #evolution.
Zoomlink Sep 25th: lu-se.zoom.us/j/62473328732
Zoomlink Sep 26th: lu-se.zoom.us/j/67411449026
#EvoDevo @biologylu.bsky.social
Zoomlink Sep 25th: lu-se.zoom.us/j/62473328732
Zoomlink Sep 26th: lu-se.zoom.us/j/67411449026
#EvoDevo @biologylu.bsky.social
September 19, 2025 at 11:54 AM
How does cell end developmental biology inform our understanding of evolution? Join us for an afternoon of discussion about #cells, #development, #plasticity and #evolution.
Zoomlink Sep 25th: lu-se.zoom.us/j/62473328732
Zoomlink Sep 26th: lu-se.zoom.us/j/67411449026
#EvoDevo @biologylu.bsky.social
Zoomlink Sep 25th: lu-se.zoom.us/j/62473328732
Zoomlink Sep 26th: lu-se.zoom.us/j/67411449026
#EvoDevo @biologylu.bsky.social