Miguel Branco
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brancolab.bsky.social
Miguel Branco
@brancolab.bsky.social
1.8K followers 1K following 130 posts
Transposons and epigenetics.
https://brancolaboratory.com/
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Reposted by Miguel Branco
erc.europa.eu
📣 Meet the new ERC Synergy Grant awardees!

Sixty-six research teams have been selected for funding, bringing together 239 scientists. Congratulations to all!

➡️ buff.ly/PSn3bi9

#EUfunded #HorizonEurope #ERCSyG
November 6, 2025 at 11:12 AM
brancolab.bsky.social
Transposable elements drive species-specific and tissue-specific transcriptomes in human development - PubMed
Our results characterize the global profile of TE-initiated transcription and enhance our understanding of TE contribution to the primate-specific gene regulatory networks in human development.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
November 5, 2025 at 12:39 PM
brancolab.bsky.social
ERV3-MLT1 provides cis-regulatory elements for human placental functioning and are commonly dysregulated in human-specific preeclampsia - PubMed
We conclude that ERV3-MLT1functions as a trophoblast-specific CRE for several human genes and may be dysregulated in preeclampsia. As EPS8L1 has a form in maternal circulation, it may have utility in diagnostics.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
November 5, 2025 at 12:39 PM
brancolab.bsky.social
Transposon invasion of primate genomes shaped human inflammatory enhancers and susceptibility to inflammatory diseases - PubMed
Human inflammatory response reflects adaptive alteration of immune-cell regulatory elements during human evolution. Yet the impact of the deeper evolutionary history of these elements, within primate genomes reshaped by transposon expansions, remains unclear. Tracing sequence changes in human immune …
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
November 4, 2025 at 1:46 PM
brancolab.bsky.social
Comparative analysis of rhesus macaque and human placental organoids highlights evolutionary differences in placentation - PubMed
Throughout evolution, the placenta has diversified in structure and composition while maintaining its essential role in supporting fetal development. Trophoblasts, cells responsible for nutrient exchange and immune modulation, are a conserved feature of all placentas. Although primate placentas shar …
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
November 3, 2025 at 8:22 AM
brancolab.bsky.social
The Chromosome 19 miRNA cluster guards trophoblasts against overacting innate immunity - PubMed
To maintain pregnancy health, the human placenta delicately balances protection of the developing fetus from invading pathogens with suppression of excessive inflammation that could lead to fetal and neonatal autoimmune disorders. Previous research, including our own, has shown that small RNA produc …
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
October 31, 2025 at 11:15 AM
brancolab.bsky.social
N6-methyladenosine on L1PA governs the trans-silencing of LTRs and restrains totipotency in naive human embryonic stem cells - PubMed
Transposable elements (TEs) occupy nearly half of the genome and drive developmental innovation, yet the mechanisms of silencing long terminal repeats (LTRs) remain incompletely understood. We demonstrate that methyltransferase-like 3 deficiency reverts naive human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to a …
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
October 31, 2025 at 11:01 AM
brancolab.bsky.social
Young KRAB-zinc finger gene clusters are highly dynamic incubators of ERV-driven genetic heterogeneity in mice - PubMed
KRAB-zinc finger proteins (KZFPs) comprise the largest family of mammalian transcription factors, rapidly evolving within and between species. Most KZFPs in human and mice have been found to repress endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and other retrotransposons, with KZFP gene numbers correlating with th …
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
October 31, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
labrowe.bsky.social
How do pluripotent stem cells resist harmful interferon responses to safeguard development? Through total epigenetic lockdown of ligands, sensors and effectors of IFN-I. In our preprint, James Holt shares his PhD discoveries on the ground state of immune evasion 😊: www.biorxiv.org/cgi/content/...
Epigenetic lockdown of type I interferon sensing and signalling in human pluripotent cells.
The Human Silencing Hub (HUSH) complex safeguards genome integrity in human somatic cells by repressing transposable elements and regulating type I interferon (IFN-I) induction. In early development, ...
www.biorxiv.org
October 29, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
maxvcg.bsky.social
Spread the word! There is a professor position opening at our University @upcite.bsky.social. There are several possible (great) labs to join, but if you are interested in DNA methylation and epigenetics in mammals, don't hesitate to contact me directly!
ijmonod.bsky.social Institut Jacques Monod @ijmonod.bsky.social · 14d
#JobOffer

💼 Un poste susceptible d’être vacant de Professeur en stabilité des génomes devrait s’ouvrir pour la rentrée 2026 au sein de l’Institut Jacques Monod

➡️ Informations concernant ce poste et la procédure de candidature 🔗 www.ijm.fr/poste-de-pro...
October 28, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
jakobssonasap.bsky.social
📣 New preprint from the Jakobsson lab!

We describe a detailed protocol to inhibit the expression of transposable elements in human pluripotent stem cells, developed thanks to @asapresearch.parkinsonsroadmap.org funding.
Special shoutout to @anitaada.bsky.social!

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
A framework for efficient CRISPRi-mediated silencing of retrotransposons in human pluripotent stem cells
This protocol describes the workflow for transcriptional silencing of transposable elements (TEs) in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The protocol illustrates how to design gRNAs to targ...
www.biorxiv.org
October 29, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
monteirolab.bsky.social
For those interested in GRN evolution, please join us!
October 28, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
robertseaborne.bsky.social
🚨Hiring a 2yr postdoc in the lab work on muscle biology, genomics & ALS. Expertise in the above advantageous, but work ethic, desire to learn/develop and being a good scientist/person more important

Good collab with @droch.bsky.social so travel to CPH involved as well

www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/126245-...
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Muscle Biology and Genomics | King's College London
www.kcl.ac.uk
September 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
brancolab.bsky.social
Activity of the SWI/SNF complex is indispensable for syncytiotrophoblast formation - PubMed
Developmental transitions are characterized by coordinated changes in lineage-specific gene expression programs and chromatin states. Yet, how these shifts in cell fate occur during placental development remains largely unknown. Here, we used human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs), genetic depletion, …
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
October 24, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
loke-ctr.bsky.social
Looking to pursue cutting-edge research in early development, maternal-fetal interaction, or placental biology? See 👇

- Funded PhD www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/phd-students...
- Next Generation Fellowship www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/next-generat...
- MPhil www.mphil.bio.cam.ac.uk/mphil-pathwa...
October 2, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
robklose.bsky.social
Come join us in Geneva for everything epigenetics and gene regulation. It will be a great meeting! Please repost!
www.keystonesymposia.org/conferences/...
Epigenetics and Gene Regulation in Health and Disease: Linking Basic Mechanisms with Therapeutic Opportunities | Keystone Symposia
Join us at the Keystone Symposia on Epigenetics and Gene Regulation in Health and Disease: Linking Basic Mechanisms with Therapeutic Opportunities, March 2026, in Geneva, with field leaders!
www.keystonesymposia.org
October 17, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
robklose.bsky.social
We are recuiting two new Associate Professors here in Oxford Biochemistry. Come join us! Reach out to me if you have any questions. Please repost! tinyurl.com/mr3m7bd3
October 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
brancolab.bsky.social
A TE insertion controls throat colour in wheatears. The gene involved (ASIP) is the same one that is epigenetically affected by an IAP insertion the famous Avy mice.

As if we needed more reasons to love TEs.
A mosaic of modular variation at a single gene underpins convergent plumage coloration
The reshuffling of genomic variation from multiple origins is an important contributor to phenotypic diversification, yet insights into the evolutionary trajectories of this combinatorial process and ...
www.science.org
October 17, 2025 at 11:43 AM
brancolab.bsky.social
A histone methyltransferase-independent function of PRC2 controls small RNA dynamics during programmed DNA elimination in Paramecium - PubMed
To limit transposable element (TE) mobilization, most eukaryotes have evolved small RNAs to silence TE activity via homology-dependent mechanisms. Small RNAs, 20-30 nucleotides in length, bind to PIWI...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
October 17, 2025 at 11:24 AM
brancolab.bsky.social
An SVA insertion explains 0.5% cases of Lynch syndrome, apparently.
Lynch syndrome caused by SINE-VNTR-Alu-F retrotransposon insert in MSH6 confirmed after 20 years of testing: a case report and literature review - PubMed
Although RTs insertions do not seem to be a common cause of Lynch syndrome, the number might be underestimated because of the difficulties in detecting these variants with well-established methods lik...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
October 15, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
loke-ctr.bsky.social
Fully-funded 4-year PhD studentships for home or overseas students, applications open till 4 November. 🔗 Please like and share to spread the word! www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/phd-students...

Take a look at projects for 2025/26 www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/opportunitie...

#PhD, #PhDPosition
October 13, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
crick.ac.uk
We're now recruiting early career group leaders at the Crick to lead ambitious research programmes and explore bold scientific questions.

Hear our Director, Edith Heard, explain why the Crick is a unique place for curiosity-driven research.

Apply now ➡️ www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...
October 9, 2025 at 2:06 PM
brancolab.bsky.social
Check out these amazing opportunities from the Loke CTR in Cambridge (UK). I greatly benefited from a Next Generation Fellowship as a crucial stepping stone to independence.
loke-ctr.bsky.social The Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research @loke-ctr.bsky.social · Oct 2
Looking to pursue cutting-edge research in early development, maternal-fetal interaction, or placental biology? See 👇

- Funded PhD www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/phd-students...
- Next Generation Fellowship www.trophoblast.cam.ac.uk/next-generat...
- MPhil www.mphil.bio.cam.ac.uk/mphil-pathwa...
October 9, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
hhmijanelia.bsky.social
📢We're #hiring Group Leaders!

Apply to lead a lab at Janelia & advance biology using theory, computational modeling & machine learning.

🔹5-year renewable appointment
🔹Pioneer new tools & approaches
🔹Collaborate across disciplines

Apply by Nov. 4👉 https://janelia.link/groupleader
August 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Miguel Branco
jamesbriscoe.bsky.social
Very sad news, John Gurdon has died.

A developmental biologist's developmental biologist, Nobel prize winner

His work is the foundation of much of today's dev & stem cell bio.

An inspiration to many, including me. Always asking questions & wanting the answers

www.magd.cam.ac.uk/news/profess...
Professor Sir John Gurdon FRS (1933-2025) | Magdalene College
Magdalene College is deeply saddened to announce the death of Professor Sir John Gurdon FRS, who served as Master of the College from 1995 to 2002.
www.magd.cam.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM