Sara Wickstrom
@sarawickstrom.bsky.social
Stem cell and mechanobiologist at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Biomedicine and University of Helsinki
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
I am honnestly a bit worried by the latest fuss about qed (the IA driven review). While the results are indeed quite impressive (it is very good at listing the claim and finding potential improvement), I don't quite see how this will eventually reduce the reviewing burden or help us
November 7, 2025 at 8:33 AM
I am honnestly a bit worried by the latest fuss about qed (the IA driven review). While the results are indeed quite impressive (it is very good at listing the claim and finding potential improvement), I don't quite see how this will eventually reduce the reviewing burden or help us
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
Congratulations! In the current call of the European Research Council, Max Planck researchers have secured five Synergy Grants. Together with the University of Cambridge, we are among the top three most successful #research institutions in #Europe ! 🙌 www.mpg.de/25684336/erc... @erc.europa.eu
Strong as a team
Five Max Planck researchers secure prestigious ERC Synergy Grants in 2025, enhancing collaborative research in Europe.
www.mpg.de
November 6, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Congratulations! In the current call of the European Research Council, Max Planck researchers have secured five Synergy Grants. Together with the University of Cambridge, we are among the top three most successful #research institutions in #Europe ! 🙌 www.mpg.de/25684336/erc... @erc.europa.eu
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
📣 Read the full news here:
www.mpi-muenster.mpg.de/press-releas...
www.mpi-muenster.mpg.de/press-releas...
www.mpi-muenster.mpg.de
November 6, 2025 at 11:21 AM
📣 Read the full news here:
www.mpi-muenster.mpg.de/press-releas...
www.mpi-muenster.mpg.de/press-releas...
Excited to embark on this scientific journey with Ewa Paluch and Daniel StJohnston to understand fundamentals of epithelial tissue and cell shapes! Thank you to @erc.europa.eu for the support!
🚀 Exciting news! ERC Synergy Grant of €8.5 million to Sara Wickström @sarawickstrom.bsky.social, Daniel St Jonston @gurdoninstitute.bsky.social and Ewa Paluch @universitypress.cambridge.org! This highly interdisciplinary project will boost our understanding of tissue biology. #ERCSyG @erc.europa.eu
November 6, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Excited to embark on this scientific journey with Ewa Paluch and Daniel StJohnston to understand fundamentals of epithelial tissue and cell shapes! Thank you to @erc.europa.eu for the support!
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
Ever wondered how adult organs preserve epithelial barrier integrity while continuously exposed to mechanical stress? We tackled this question in our new preprint – led by our brilliant PhD student Vishnu Krishnakumar! (1/11)
🔗 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
🔗 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Robust pan-junctional reinforcement preserves the gut epithelial barrier under mechanical stress
Epithelia are specialized tissue barriers that safeguard the organism's internal milieu from the hostile external environment, a function critically dependent on intercellular junctions. In the colon,...
www.biorxiv.org
October 8, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Ever wondered how adult organs preserve epithelial barrier integrity while continuously exposed to mechanical stress? We tackled this question in our new preprint – led by our brilliant PhD student Vishnu Krishnakumar! (1/11)
🔗 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
🔗 www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
Really excited to present the results of a fantastic collaboration with Jesse Veenvliet @jesseveenvliet.bsky.social @mpi-cbg.de @poldresden.bsky.social 🤩
We find a unique mechanism for body axis elongation in mammals, different from other vertebrate species
➡️ www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We find a unique mechanism for body axis elongation in mammals, different from other vertebrate species
➡️ www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 28, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Really excited to present the results of a fantastic collaboration with Jesse Veenvliet @jesseveenvliet.bsky.social @mpi-cbg.de @poldresden.bsky.social 🤩
We find a unique mechanism for body axis elongation in mammals, different from other vertebrate species
➡️ www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We find a unique mechanism for body axis elongation in mammals, different from other vertebrate species
➡️ www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Nature Cell Biology - Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases...
www.nature.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Welcome @shiori-iida.bsky.social , it’s great to have you in the lab! Excited about new directions in chromatin rheology and cell fate 🤓
I’ve recently joined @sarawickstrom.bsky.social lab at @mpi-muenster.bsky.social as a postdoc!
I’ll keep doing exciting science with joy and passion 🔬💫
Huge thanks to @kazu-maeshima.bsky.social lab for all the support during my PhD journey⛰️
I’ll start by tasting every single sausage here🇩🇪
I’ll keep doing exciting science with joy and passion 🔬💫
Huge thanks to @kazu-maeshima.bsky.social lab for all the support during my PhD journey⛰️
I’ll start by tasting every single sausage here🇩🇪
October 20, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Welcome @shiori-iida.bsky.social , it’s great to have you in the lab! Excited about new directions in chromatin rheology and cell fate 🤓
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
So excited to announce lab alumni Dr. Helen Mengze He and Liana Boraas work at @yalecvrc.bsky.social in collaboration with the Kaelyn Sumigray lab @yaleschoolofmed.bsky.social is published today in @natcomms.nature.com and highlighted in Yale News! medicine.yale.edu/news-article...
Unlocking the Skin’s Natural Healing Power
Researchers show that embryonic skin stem cells rely on a specialized mechanism to resist injury. The findings could lead to new strategies for repairing wounds
medicine.yale.edu
October 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
So excited to announce lab alumni Dr. Helen Mengze He and Liana Boraas work at @yalecvrc.bsky.social in collaboration with the Kaelyn Sumigray lab @yaleschoolofmed.bsky.social is published today in @natcomms.nature.com and highlighted in Yale News! medicine.yale.edu/news-article...
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
The @crick.ac.uk is recruiting Early Career Group Leaders
- Lab set-up, research costs, salaries for up to 5 researchers
- Support for up to 12 years
- Access to our core facilities
- Competitive salary
- Fantastic colleagues
- All areas of biology
Deadline 27 Nov
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
- Lab set-up, research costs, salaries for up to 5 researchers
- Support for up to 12 years
- Access to our core facilities
- Competitive salary
- Fantastic colleagues
- All areas of biology
Deadline 27 Nov
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Early career group leaders
We appoint researchers from across biology and biomedicine to set up their first groups at the Crick.
www.crick.ac.uk
October 10, 2025 at 8:20 AM
The @crick.ac.uk is recruiting Early Career Group Leaders
- Lab set-up, research costs, salaries for up to 5 researchers
- Support for up to 12 years
- Access to our core facilities
- Competitive salary
- Fantastic colleagues
- All areas of biology
Deadline 27 Nov
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
- Lab set-up, research costs, salaries for up to 5 researchers
- Support for up to 12 years
- Access to our core facilities
- Competitive salary
- Fantastic colleagues
- All areas of biology
Deadline 27 Nov
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
A recent preprint (Yang et al., doi.org/10.1101/2025...) challenges an article from my lab published in 2024 (Koh et al. 2024, PMID: 39537918). We strongly dispute their claims (please see our comment on bioRXiv).
1/4
1/4
Degeneration and Impaired Resilience of Skull Bone and Hematopoietic Bone Marrow
Bone marrow health is central to transplantations, blood formation, and cancer progression. However, the bone marrow niche deteriorates with age, impairing haematopoietic stem cell function. Contrary ...
doi.org
October 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
A recent preprint (Yang et al., doi.org/10.1101/2025...) challenges an article from my lab published in 2024 (Koh et al. 2024, PMID: 39537918). We strongly dispute their claims (please see our comment on bioRXiv).
1/4
1/4
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
Amazing talk today at #CABDseminars by @sarawickstrom.bsky.social! Sara explained work understanding mechanical regulation of cell states. She was hosted by @dariloops.bsky.social & @jrmarmor.bsky.social. Thanks for coming Dr. Wickstrom!
October 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Amazing talk today at #CABDseminars by @sarawickstrom.bsky.social! Sara explained work understanding mechanical regulation of cell states. She was hosted by @dariloops.bsky.social & @jrmarmor.bsky.social. Thanks for coming Dr. Wickstrom!
Terribly sad news. Jochen was a pioneer in cell mechanics, a great colleague and a wonderful person. He will be missed.
With deep sadness, we share that Prof. Jochen Guck, Director at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light passed away on October 3. His visionary work bridged physics and medicine. We have lost a brilliant scientist and dear friend.
mpl.mpg.de/news/article...
@fau.de
📸 Stephan Spangenberg
mpl.mpg.de/news/article...
@fau.de
📸 Stephan Spangenberg
October 9, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Terribly sad news. Jochen was a pioneer in cell mechanics, a great colleague and a wonderful person. He will be missed.
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
#CABDseminars
"Mechanical regulation of cell states" by Sara Wickström @sarawickstrom.bsky.social, @mpi-muenster.bsky.social
🗓️October 10th
⏰ 12 pm
📍Rosalind Franklin auditorium, CABD
Co-hosted by @dariloops.bsky.social & @jrmarmor.bsky.social
"Mechanical regulation of cell states" by Sara Wickström @sarawickstrom.bsky.social, @mpi-muenster.bsky.social
🗓️October 10th
⏰ 12 pm
📍Rosalind Franklin auditorium, CABD
Co-hosted by @dariloops.bsky.social & @jrmarmor.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 9:28 AM
#CABDseminars
"Mechanical regulation of cell states" by Sara Wickström @sarawickstrom.bsky.social, @mpi-muenster.bsky.social
🗓️October 10th
⏰ 12 pm
📍Rosalind Franklin auditorium, CABD
Co-hosted by @dariloops.bsky.social & @jrmarmor.bsky.social
"Mechanical regulation of cell states" by Sara Wickström @sarawickstrom.bsky.social, @mpi-muenster.bsky.social
🗓️October 10th
⏰ 12 pm
📍Rosalind Franklin auditorium, CABD
Co-hosted by @dariloops.bsky.social & @jrmarmor.bsky.social
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
Join @jcb.org Scientific Editor Gabriele Stephan at the EMBO | EMBL Symposium “Cell biology of the nucleus” during the lunchtime Meet the Editor talk Nov. 19. www.embl.org/about/info/c... #EESNucleus @events.embl.org
October 2, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Join @jcb.org Scientific Editor Gabriele Stephan at the EMBO | EMBL Symposium “Cell biology of the nucleus” during the lunchtime Meet the Editor talk Nov. 19. www.embl.org/about/info/c... #EESNucleus @events.embl.org
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
It's online! In this series of perspectives @dev-journal.bsky.social, yours truly talks about the exciting open questions and many things to do in the field of dev bio and neuroscience #DevBio🧪 #PIsOfTomorrow journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...
Pathway to Independence: a forecast for the future of developmental biology
ABSTRACT. In 2022, Development launched its Pathway to Independence (PI) programme, aimed at supporting postdocs as they transition to their first independent position. In 2025, we welcome our third c...
journals.biologists.com
September 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
It's online! In this series of perspectives @dev-journal.bsky.social, yours truly talks about the exciting open questions and many things to do in the field of dev bio and neuroscience #DevBio🧪 #PIsOfTomorrow journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
Elegant new study in our journal by @sarawickstrom.bsky.social @katemiro.bsky.social & co!
💫NEW: @sarawickstrom.bsky.social @katemiro.bsky.social & co show that mechano-osmotic changes in the #nucleus induce general #transcriptional repression and prime #chromatin for cell fate transitions by relieving repression of specific differentiation genes. #pluripotency
bit.ly/3VMcyNZ
bit.ly/3VMcyNZ
Mechano-osmotic signals control chromatin state and fate transitions in pluripotent stem cells - Nature Cell Biology
McCreery, Stubb et al. show that mechano-osmotic changes in the nucleus induce general transcriptional repression and prime chromatin for cell fate transitions by relieving repression of specific differentiation genes.
bit.ly
October 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Elegant new study in our journal by @sarawickstrom.bsky.social @katemiro.bsky.social & co!
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
💫NEW: @sarawickstrom.bsky.social @katemiro.bsky.social & co show that mechano-osmotic changes in the #nucleus induce general #transcriptional repression and prime #chromatin for cell fate transitions by relieving repression of specific differentiation genes. #pluripotency
bit.ly/3VMcyNZ
bit.ly/3VMcyNZ
Mechano-osmotic signals control chromatin state and fate transitions in pluripotent stem cells - Nature Cell Biology
McCreery, Stubb et al. show that mechano-osmotic changes in the nucleus induce general transcriptional repression and prime chromatin for cell fate transitions by relieving repression of specific differentiation genes.
bit.ly
October 4, 2025 at 2:40 PM
💫NEW: @sarawickstrom.bsky.social @katemiro.bsky.social & co show that mechano-osmotic changes in the #nucleus induce general #transcriptional repression and prime #chromatin for cell fate transitions by relieving repression of specific differentiation genes. #pluripotency
bit.ly/3VMcyNZ
bit.ly/3VMcyNZ
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
Third paper to highlight!
Here, Lisa Manning, @sarawickstrom.bsky.social, &c olleagues show contractility, pressure, signalling cooperating in vertebrate development, w/thorough combination of expertise in cell biology, signalling, & biophysics.
(Open Access) www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here, Lisa Manning, @sarawickstrom.bsky.social, &c olleagues show contractility, pressure, signalling cooperating in vertebrate development, w/thorough combination of expertise in cell biology, signalling, & biophysics.
(Open Access) www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Mechanical forces across compartments coordinate cell shape and fate transitions to generate tissue architecture - Nature Cell Biology
Villeneuve et al. report coordination of contractile forces during mammalian hair follicle development, with actomyosin contractility and mechanical forces from the epidermis and underlying tissue regulating placode invagination and Sox9 expression.
www.nature.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Third paper to highlight!
Here, Lisa Manning, @sarawickstrom.bsky.social, &c olleagues show contractility, pressure, signalling cooperating in vertebrate development, w/thorough combination of expertise in cell biology, signalling, & biophysics.
(Open Access) www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Here, Lisa Manning, @sarawickstrom.bsky.social, &c olleagues show contractility, pressure, signalling cooperating in vertebrate development, w/thorough combination of expertise in cell biology, signalling, & biophysics.
(Open Access) www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
We're still accepting submissions for our next special issue:
Cell Biology of the Nucleus
Guest edited by @abbybuch.bsky.social and Megan King @luskinglab.bsky.social.
Submission deadline: 3 November
journals.biologists.com/jcs/pages/nu...
#cellbiology #nucleus #notforprofit #freetopublish
Cell Biology of the Nucleus
Guest edited by @abbybuch.bsky.social and Megan King @luskinglab.bsky.social.
Submission deadline: 3 November
journals.biologists.com/jcs/pages/nu...
#cellbiology #nucleus #notforprofit #freetopublish
September 30, 2025 at 9:26 AM
We're still accepting submissions for our next special issue:
Cell Biology of the Nucleus
Guest edited by @abbybuch.bsky.social and Megan King @luskinglab.bsky.social.
Submission deadline: 3 November
journals.biologists.com/jcs/pages/nu...
#cellbiology #nucleus #notforprofit #freetopublish
Cell Biology of the Nucleus
Guest edited by @abbybuch.bsky.social and Megan King @luskinglab.bsky.social.
Submission deadline: 3 November
journals.biologists.com/jcs/pages/nu...
#cellbiology #nucleus #notforprofit #freetopublish
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
Nice work from the labs of @katemiro.bsky.social @sarawickstrom.bsky.social
Mechano-osmotic signals control chromatin state and fate transitions in pluripotent stem cells
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Mechano-osmotic signals control chromatin state and fate transitions in pluripotent stem cells
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Mechano-osmotic signals control chromatin state and fate transitions in pluripotent stem cells - Nature Cell Biology
McCreery, Stubb et al. show that mechano-osmotic changes in the nucleus induce general transcriptional repression and prime chromatin for cell fate transitions by relieving repression of specific differentiation genes.
www.nature.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Nice work from the labs of @katemiro.bsky.social @sarawickstrom.bsky.social
Mechano-osmotic signals control chromatin state and fate transitions in pluripotent stem cells
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Mechano-osmotic signals control chromatin state and fate transitions in pluripotent stem cells
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
A landmark study by @sarawickstrom.bsky.social @katemiro.bsky.social and colleagues elucidating the relative contribution of GF and nuclear mechanics on cell fate decisions🤩 !! Many congratulations on this 'tour de force' 👏🎉 (pun on words intended 😉!) !!
September 29, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A landmark study by @sarawickstrom.bsky.social @katemiro.bsky.social and colleagues elucidating the relative contribution of GF and nuclear mechanics on cell fate decisions🤩 !! Many congratulations on this 'tour de force' 👏🎉 (pun on words intended 😉!) !!
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
Our paper is out in Nature Cell Biology! 🚀 Growth factors, mechanical forces, and osmotic stress work together to guide stem cell differentiation. Delighted to see these discoveries out in the world 🔥
How do #stemcells integrate information to coordinate fate decisions? Delighted to finally see our work showing how growth factors regulate the mechano-osmotic state of the #nucleus and #chromatin to control #pluripotency exit out! www.nature.com/articles/s41... see 🧵 👇
Mechano-osmotic signals control chromatin state and fate transitions in pluripotent stem cells - Nature Cell Biology
McCreery, Stubb et al. show that mechano-osmotic changes in the nucleus induce general transcriptional repression and prime chromatin for cell fate transitions by relieving repression of specific differentiation genes.
www.nature.com
September 29, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Our paper is out in Nature Cell Biology! 🚀 Growth factors, mechanical forces, and osmotic stress work together to guide stem cell differentiation. Delighted to see these discoveries out in the world 🔥
Reposted by Sara Wickstrom
Mechano-osmotic signals control chromatin state and fate transitions in pluripotent stem cells @natcellbio.nature.com @sarawickstrom.bsky.social @akistubb.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
September 29, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Mechano-osmotic signals control chromatin state and fate transitions in pluripotent stem cells @natcellbio.nature.com @sarawickstrom.bsky.social @akistubb.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...