Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine
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idrm.ox.ac.uk
Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine
@idrm.ox.ac.uk
270 followers 82 following 74 posts
The Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine combines cardiovascular science, neuroscience and immunology to find new drugs and therapies.
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idrm.ox.ac.uk
This Christmas, we’re teaming up with the Department of Paediatrics to support #Sleigh2Give and bring festive cheer to children in hospitals and families across Oxfordshire. 🎁✨

Donate brand new, unwrapped gifts by 12 Dec to help make the holidays a little brighter.
November 13, 2025 at 5:35 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
Today’s scientific image of the week, “Cellular Hummingbird”, comes from Elizabeth Figueroa-Juárez.

🧫 She’s modelling atherosclerosis in vitro using hiPSC-derived endothelial cells.

✨ The colours and shape reminded her of hummingbirds—“gods’ messengers from the afterlife,” in Mayan legend.
November 12, 2025 at 3:40 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
Today’s #ScientificImage — “Where Vessels Begin,” comes from @degrainger.bsky.social, a postdoctoral researcher in IDRM's Stone group.

💬"We are working to understand how blood and lymphatic vessels form during embryonic development and how organ-specific characteristics of these vessels arise."
November 6, 2025 at 10:06 AM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
Last week's spooky creations, courtesy of IDRM's Mommersteeg Group, were carved just in time for Halloween! @tillymommersteeg.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 11:16 AM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
Rise of the Arteries — a lightsheet image capturing the intricate vascular network of a developing mouse heart.

By visualising endothelial and smooth muscle cells in 3D, researchers at IDRM reveal the beauty of coronary vessel formation.

📷 Credit: Konstantinos Miti & Polen Bareke
October 30, 2025 at 3:28 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
New research led by @klekkos.bsky.social and @tillymommersteeg.bsky.social at the IDRM and DPAG has uncovered an essential role for oxidative metabolism in heart regeneration.

Read the full paper here: www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Read the overview of the study: tinyurl.com/2syythet
October 2, 2025 at 12:55 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
Meet Antonio Garcia Guerra, a Postdoctoral Research Scientist in the Rinaldi Group, and our August featured member.

Antonio's research focuses on cell-specific gene editing in neuromuscular disease.

Find out more about his research: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
@oxfordpaediatrics.bsky.social
A notebook style graphic outlining the most recent IDRM featured member, Antonio Garcia Guerra. The following information is listed: Postdoctoral Research Scientist Rinaldi Group Research Focus: Cell-specific gene editing in neuromuscular disease. The IDRM logo is placed in the left hand corner, with a portrait of Antonio on the right.
August 28, 2025 at 2:09 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
How do you turn cutting-edge science into a business idea?

We spoke with Dr Sophie Payne (IDRM, DPAG), a postdoctoral researcher, about her journey on the Oxford Venture Builder, where she pitched her enhancer-based gene therapy idea.

Read the full interview: lnkd.in/dx27XkV8
August 18, 2025 at 10:02 AM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
🎉Congratulations to the IDRM's Professor Sarah De Val on being awarded the title of Professor of Cardiovascular Science by the University of Oxford 🎉
#CardiovascularScience #AcademicAchievement #WomenInSTEM
Square photo showing the head and shoulders of a woman against a blurred background and outlined by a red and yellow gradient border. On the right hand sign is white text on a blue background that reads: Professor of Cardiovascular Science. Congratulations to Sarah De Val, Group Leader within the IDRM Cardiovascular Theme, who has been awarded the title of Professor of Cardiovascular Science by the University of Oxford. To the bottom left are logos for the Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine, and for the University of Oxford.
August 11, 2025 at 10:59 AM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
🎉Huge congratulations to Dr Nancy Stathopoulou, IDRM Transition Fellow @oxfordpaediatrics.bsky.social who has been awarded the BHF Intermediate Science Research Fellowship by the @thebhf.bsky.social.
Nancy’s work focuses on epigenetics in cardiac development and congenital heart disease.
Dark blue background with white text. Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine logo sits in top left corner with text to the right reading: BHF Fellowship Awarded. Photo of researcher awarded is on the left highlighted within a thin frame that from red to yellow from left to right. Main text reads: Though congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, its causes are often unknown. This fellowship award will support Nancy's research toward understanding heart development with the ultimate aim of progressing CHD diagnosis and future therapies. Dr Nancy Stathopoulou, BHF Intermediate Basic Science Research Fellow.
July 30, 2025 at 12:15 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
👋Meet Konstantinos Lekkos, a DPhil Student in the Mommersteeg group, and our most recent featured member.

Kostas' research focuses on the role of oxidative metabolism in zebrafish heart regeneration.

Find out more about his research: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
@oxforddpag.bsky.social
Square image with a background designed to look like lined note paper. Title reads as Featured Member. On the right is a faux polaroid photo of the featured member, Konstantinos Lekkos, with his name below his image. On the left are three bullet points that state 1. his job role of DPhil Student, 2. he is a member of the Mommersteeg Group, and 3. his research focus which is the role of oxidative metabolism in zebrafish heart regeneration. A dark blue band stretches across the bottom of the square to highlight a white Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine logo.
July 25, 2025 at 6:06 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
🎉 Congratulations to Konstantinos Lekkos, a 2nd year DPhil student in the Mathilda Mommersteeg Group. Kostas won first prize at this year’s Oxford MRC-DTP Symposium with his talk on a novel discovery in zebrafish metabolism and heart regeneration. @oxforddpag.bsky.social
Photo shows an image of someone receiving a certificate. There is a lecturn on the right with a figure next to it holding a sheet of paper. The figure is smiling and walking towards the camera. To the left are a row of 4 people mid-clap standing in front of a screen where the words 'Awards Ceremony and Close) are partially visible. The photo is framed with two microscopy images - the left hand side is red and white on a black background, the right hand side has cells imaged in greens, blues and white on a black background. At the bottom of the frame is the logo for the Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine.
July 21, 2025 at 10:05 AM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
It is day 3 of our #ResearchAppreciationDay2025 countdown!

Dr Filipa Simões and team reveal how immune cells shape the heart from the earliest stages and guide regeneration in species like zebrafish.

🔬 Read the review: shorturl.at/kIYBf
July 3, 2025 at 1:15 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
Next up in our countdown to #ResearchAppreciationDay2025, we are spotlighting public engagement at the IDRM!

IDRM researchers took part in Pint of Science 2025, bringing research and more to local Oxford pubs. Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen!

🔗 Read more: shorturl.at/z3yUI
July 2, 2025 at 2:20 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
Kicking off our countdown to #ResearchAppreciationDay, we’re spotlighting a study from the Stone Group at the IDRM, published in Nature Cardiovascular Research. The paper reveals that lymphatic endothelial cells can arise directly from mesenchymal progenitors, bypassing the venous endothelium.
July 1, 2025 at 3:05 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
👋Meet Claudio Cortes Rodriguez, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Riley group, and our most recent featured member.

Claudio's research focuses on uncovering the cause of defects in the heart wall.

Find out more about Claudio's research: lnkd.in/ebKNJ-zE

@oxforddpag.bsky.social
Square image with a background designed to look like lined note paper. Title reads as Featured Member. On the right is a faux polaroid photo of the featured member, Claudio Cortes Rodriguez, with his name below his image. On the left are three bullet points that state 1. his job role of Postdoctural Research Fellow, 2. he is a member of the Riley Group, and 3. his research focus which is uncovering the cause behind heart wall defects. A dark blue band stretches across the bottom of the square to highlight a white Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine logo.
June 25, 2025 at 11:29 AM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
This #CleanAirDay, we’re highlighting the small changes and big ambitions shaping sustainability at the IDRM.

Yesterday’s biodiversity walk through the Lye Valley was a good reminder of what we’re working to protect: clean air, healthy ecosystems, and time to connect with nature.
June 19, 2025 at 11:08 AM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
Exciting news! Dr Jacinta Kalisch-Smith, @jkalism.bsky.social, has been awarded a BHF fellowship to explore how placental blood vessels support fetal growth and development.

Her research could change how we detect and prevent complications during pregnancy.

🔗 Read more: shorturl.at/OVzqq
June 9, 2025 at 8:59 AM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
👋Meet Anna Catarina Ferreria, a Research Assistant in the Stathopoulou Group, and our most recent featured member.

Catarina's research focuses on understanding how epigenetic factors contribute to congenital heart disease.

Read more: lnkd.in/ezEdRRDm

@oxfordpaediatrics.bsky.social
Square image with a background designed to look like lined note paper. Title reads as Featured Member. On the right is a faux polaroid photo of the featured member, Anna Catarina Ferreria, with her name below her image. On the left are three bullet points that state 1) her job role of Research Assistant, 2) she is a member of the Stathopoulou Group, and 3) her research focus of how epigenetic factors contribute to congenital heart disease. A dark blue band stretches across the bottom of the square to highlight a white Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine logo
May 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
🐝 Today on #WorldBeeDay, we're celebrating the buzz around IDRM!

Our garden is alive with pollinators, drawn in by our blooming flowers and purpose-built bug houses.

Pictured below: a ladybird, a bee, and a snail. Small but important reminders of the role of biodiversity in healthy lives.
May 20, 2025 at 8:21 AM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
It’s #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, and this year’s theme is community. Feeling safe, supported and seen, especially at work, makes all the difference to our mental wellbeing.

Let’s build workplaces where people feel able to speak up and get the support they need.
May 14, 2025 at 12:23 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
Researchers from the MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre at IDRM ran the Oxford Town & Gown 10k in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Thanks to generous support and a successful bake sale, the team raised over £1,300. Congratulations to everyone who participated!
May 12, 2025 at 11:23 AM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
New research from the @oliverastone.bsky.social Stone Group shows that lymphatic endothelial cells can arise directly from mesenchymal progenitors, bypassing venous endothelium.

Read our conversation with the researchers to learn more: lnkd.in/dSV7W-8r

📄 Paper: lnkd.in/gz5v_ibH
May 2, 2025 at 3:36 PM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
Today on #WorldImmunologyDay, we're spotlighting the immune system with this image, shared by DPhil student Andreas Tarcevski (Holländer group).

It shows a cross-section of an embryo mapped for gene expression. In blue, we see the thymus - a key organ for adaptive immunity and T-cell formation.
April 29, 2025 at 8:58 AM
idrm.ox.ac.uk
👋Meet Ambra Speciale, a DPhil Student in the Rinaldi Group, and our most recent featured member.

Her research focuses on understanding how changes in RNA editing contribute to neurological disorders.

Read more lnkd.in/ezHzDZCp
or hear Ambra talk bsky.app/profile/idrm...

@pintofscience.uk
Square image with a background designed to look like lined note paper. Title reads as Featured Member. On the left is a faux polaroid photo of the featured member, Ambra Speciale, with their name below their headshot. On the right are three bullet points that state 1. their job role of DPhil Student, 2. they are a member of the Rinaldi Group, and 3. an overview of their research focus which is understanding how changes in RNA editing may contribute to neurological disorders. A dark blue band stretches across the bottom of the square to highlight a white Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine logo.
April 25, 2025 at 9:11 AM