Dr. Sedona Murphy
@sedonamurphy.bsky.social
Group leader @mpi-mg, Berlin
Chromatin tracing, epigenetics, development. Equity and advocacy in academia.
Chromatin tracing, epigenetics, development. Equity and advocacy in academia.
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
We are pleased to announce a new preprint by @mlweilert.bsky.social: “Widespread low-affinity motifs enhance chromatin accessibility and regulatory potential in mESCs” (www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...). See summary and longer recap below:
(TLDR; low-affinity motifs matter as pioneers!)
(TLDR; low-affinity motifs matter as pioneers!)
Widespread low-affinity motifs enhance chromatin accessibility and regulatory potential in mESCs
Low-affinity transcription factor (TF) motifs are an important element of the cis-regulatory code, yet they are notoriously difficult to map and mechanistically incompletely understood, limiting our a...
www.biorxiv.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:57 PM
We are pleased to announce a new preprint by @mlweilert.bsky.social: “Widespread low-affinity motifs enhance chromatin accessibility and regulatory potential in mESCs” (www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...). See summary and longer recap below:
(TLDR; low-affinity motifs matter as pioneers!)
(TLDR; low-affinity motifs matter as pioneers!)
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
To probe gene-scale chromatin physics, we built 96-mer (20 kb) arrays with defined histone marks. Combining single-molecule tracking, AFM imaging, and developing in vitro Hi-C, we saw how specific modifications dictate chromatin structure and dynamics. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Gene-scale in vitro reconstitution reveals histone acetylation directly controls chromatin architecture
Reconstituting 20-kb chromatin shows that tuning acetylation alone reshapes its folding, dynamics, and contact domain formation.
www.science.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:46 AM
To probe gene-scale chromatin physics, we built 96-mer (20 kb) arrays with defined histone marks. Combining single-molecule tracking, AFM imaging, and developing in vitro Hi-C, we saw how specific modifications dictate chromatin structure and dynamics. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
Last reminder: We’ll see you bright and early at 9:30 AM EST on the 25th to kick off #chromatin2025! Fantastic lineup of speakers with discussion to follow each talk. Don’t forget to register for this virtual meeting if you haven’t yet: bit.ly/chromatin-2025
November 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Last reminder: We’ll see you bright and early at 9:30 AM EST on the 25th to kick off #chromatin2025! Fantastic lineup of speakers with discussion to follow each talk. Don’t forget to register for this virtual meeting if you haven’t yet: bit.ly/chromatin-2025
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
Major new direction in the lab: hacking human cell biology with pathogen effectors (eORFs) - amazing collaboration with @miketilapia.bsky.social lab. Huge congrats to first authors Tomas & He & all co-authors! Check out the pre-print on @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Major new direction in the lab: hacking human cell biology with pathogen effectors (eORFs) - amazing collaboration with @miketilapia.bsky.social lab. Huge congrats to first authors Tomas & He & all co-authors! Check out the pre-print on @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
IMPRS-BAC #gradschool: Our new groupleader @sedonamurphy.bsky.social has an open PhD project in her lab. Topic: Spatial feedback between epigenetic regulation and chromatin regulation. Apply by Jan 7, 2026!
👉 www.molgen.mpg.de/5091778/Murp...
👉 www.molgen.mpg.de/5091778/Murp...
November 18, 2025 at 4:05 PM
IMPRS-BAC #gradschool: Our new groupleader @sedonamurphy.bsky.social has an open PhD project in her lab. Topic: Spatial feedback between epigenetic regulation and chromatin regulation. Apply by Jan 7, 2026!
👉 www.molgen.mpg.de/5091778/Murp...
👉 www.molgen.mpg.de/5091778/Murp...
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
☕ @katerinakraft.bsky.social @sedonamurphy.bsky.social @mattjones.bsky.social et al. identify extrachromosomal DNA(ecDNA)-interacting elements (EIEs) enriched for #TransposableElements in #ColorectalCancer. EIE 14 integrated within ecDNA acts as an enhancer to promote cancer fitness.
bit.ly/49iFC7C
bit.ly/49iFC7C
Enhancer activation from transposable elements in extrachromosomal DNA - Nature Cell Biology
Kraft, Murphy, Jones et al. identify extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA)-interacting elements (EIEs) enriched for transposable elements within ecDNA in colorectal cancer cells. They show that EIE 14 integrat...
bit.ly
November 16, 2025 at 8:29 AM
☕ @katerinakraft.bsky.social @sedonamurphy.bsky.social @mattjones.bsky.social et al. identify extrachromosomal DNA(ecDNA)-interacting elements (EIEs) enriched for #TransposableElements in #ColorectalCancer. EIE 14 integrated within ecDNA acts as an enhancer to promote cancer fitness.
bit.ly/49iFC7C
bit.ly/49iFC7C
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
Great career opportunity at @viennabiocenter.bsky.social: The @impvienna.bsky.social is looking for a new Junior Group Leader in cell and molecular biology, synthetic biology, genomics, gene regulation, development, cancer, immunology or infection biology.
More: www.imp.ac.at/career/open-...
More: www.imp.ac.at/career/open-...
Junior Group Leader Positions | Research Institute of Molecular Pathology
www.imp.ac.at
November 10, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Great career opportunity at @viennabiocenter.bsky.social: The @impvienna.bsky.social is looking for a new Junior Group Leader in cell and molecular biology, synthetic biology, genomics, gene regulation, development, cancer, immunology or infection biology.
More: www.imp.ac.at/career/open-...
More: www.imp.ac.at/career/open-...
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲?Excited to share our new study “Repair of DNA double-strand breaks leaves heritable impairment to genome function”, revealing DNA repair’s hidden cost, out now @science.org tinyurl.com/5n6zw3ye. Led by @sbantele.bsky.social and Jiri Lukas.🧵👇1/n
Repair of DNA double-strand breaks leaves heritable impairment to genome function
Upon DNA breakage, a genomic locus undergoes alterations in three-dimensional chromatin architecture to facilitate signaling and repair. Although cells possess mechanisms to repair damaged DNA, it is ...
tinyurl.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:05 PM
𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗗𝗡𝗔 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲?Excited to share our new study “Repair of DNA double-strand breaks leaves heritable impairment to genome function”, revealing DNA repair’s hidden cost, out now @science.org tinyurl.com/5n6zw3ye. Led by @sbantele.bsky.social and Jiri Lukas.🧵👇1/n
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
We recently reported that promoter competition can contribute to the robust insulation of gene regulatory domains (www.nature.com/articles/s41...).
We now offer a 4-years PhD contract to investigate whether the dirsuption of this regulatory mechanism can lead to congenital defects. More details 👇
We now offer a 4-years PhD contract to investigate whether the dirsuption of this regulatory mechanism can lead to congenital defects. More details 👇
November 6, 2025 at 6:37 PM
We recently reported that promoter competition can contribute to the robust insulation of gene regulatory domains (www.nature.com/articles/s41...).
We now offer a 4-years PhD contract to investigate whether the dirsuption of this regulatory mechanism can lead to congenital defects. More details 👇
We now offer a 4-years PhD contract to investigate whether the dirsuption of this regulatory mechanism can lead to congenital defects. More details 👇
Couldn’t ask for better colleagues as a new group leader ☺️
We are excited to welcome @fueyoraquel.bsky.social, @sedonamurphy.bsky.social, and @jmstein.bsky.social as new group leaders at our institute!
Read more about their work:
--> www.molgen.mpg.de/2025-10-31-n...
All three are recruiting in the IMPRS PhD Call!
--> www.molgen.mpg.de/IMPRSPhDproj...
Read more about their work:
--> www.molgen.mpg.de/2025-10-31-n...
All three are recruiting in the IMPRS PhD Call!
--> www.molgen.mpg.de/IMPRSPhDproj...
Three new research groups joining the MPIMG
www.molgen.mpg.de
November 6, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Couldn’t ask for better colleagues as a new group leader ☺️
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
Our latest paper has just been published in Cell!
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
We developed a new method called MCC ultra, which allows 3D chromatin structure to be visualised with a 1 base pair pixel size.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
We developed a new method called MCC ultra, which allows 3D chromatin structure to be visualised with a 1 base pair pixel size.
November 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Our latest paper has just been published in Cell!
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
We developed a new method called MCC ultra, which allows 3D chromatin structure to be visualised with a 1 base pair pixel size.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
We developed a new method called MCC ultra, which allows 3D chromatin structure to be visualised with a 1 base pair pixel size.
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
And we have another open position, this time with a focus on Genome Biology! Join a great community in Vienna to bring your research to the next level!
📢 Open Call! The Max Perutz Labs invite applications for a Tenure-Track Professorship in Genome Biology. We are particularly interested in researchers investigating the molecular and biophysical mechanisms underlying genome function and regulation. More details ➡️ tinyurl.com/3t7vvdct
November 6, 2025 at 4:35 AM
And we have another open position, this time with a focus on Genome Biology! Join a great community in Vienna to bring your research to the next level!
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
1/ 🚀 AEBP2 isn’t what we thought.
You were told that AEBP2 promotes PRC2 activity on chromatin.
We found the opposite: the most prevalent AEBP2 isoform inhibits PRC2 activity.
👉 surl.li/cgwqcq
A thread 🧵
You were told that AEBP2 promotes PRC2 activity on chromatin.
We found the opposite: the most prevalent AEBP2 isoform inhibits PRC2 activity.
👉 surl.li/cgwqcq
A thread 🧵
October 31, 2025 at 10:53 AM
1/ 🚀 AEBP2 isn’t what we thought.
You were told that AEBP2 promotes PRC2 activity on chromatin.
We found the opposite: the most prevalent AEBP2 isoform inhibits PRC2 activity.
👉 surl.li/cgwqcq
A thread 🧵
You were told that AEBP2 promotes PRC2 activity on chromatin.
We found the opposite: the most prevalent AEBP2 isoform inhibits PRC2 activity.
👉 surl.li/cgwqcq
A thread 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
@lucianomartelotto, not on Bluesky, on a new Spatial RNA imaging method, PRISM. www.nature.com/articles/s41... Now added to #SingleCell #Spatial #Method bit.ly/scmethodstable
High-plex spatial RNA imaging in one round with conventional microscopes using color-intensity barcodes - Nature Biotechnology
The 64-plex fluorescence imaging of RNA in tissues is achieved in one imaging cycle
www.nature.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:08 AM
@lucianomartelotto, not on Bluesky, on a new Spatial RNA imaging method, PRISM. www.nature.com/articles/s41... Now added to #SingleCell #Spatial #Method bit.ly/scmethodstable
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
1/ Excited to share our new study with @brumbaugh-lab.bsky.social, out in @natbiotech.nature.com! P-bodies selectively sequester RNAs encoding cell fate regulators, often from the preceding developmental stage. Releasing these RNAs can drive changes in cell identity. 🧵 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Selective RNA sequestration in biomolecular condensates directs cell fate transitions - Nature Biotechnology
Stem cell differentiation is controlled by manipulating RNA condensates.
www.nature.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
1/ Excited to share our new study with @brumbaugh-lab.bsky.social, out in @natbiotech.nature.com! P-bodies selectively sequester RNAs encoding cell fate regulators, often from the preceding developmental stage. Releasing these RNAs can drive changes in cell identity. 🧵 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
Molecular & Cellular Physiology (MCP) Monday
We are recruiting a tenure-track assistant professor to join the Dept of Molecular & Cellular Physiology at Stanford. Apply to be our colleague 1/n
facultypositions.stanford.edu/en-us/job/49...
We are recruiting a tenure-track assistant professor to join the Dept of Molecular & Cellular Physiology at Stanford. Apply to be our colleague 1/n
facultypositions.stanford.edu/en-us/job/49...
Stanford | Faculty Positions: Details - Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
facultypositions.stanford.edu
October 27, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Molecular & Cellular Physiology (MCP) Monday
We are recruiting a tenure-track assistant professor to join the Dept of Molecular & Cellular Physiology at Stanford. Apply to be our colleague 1/n
facultypositions.stanford.edu/en-us/job/49...
We are recruiting a tenure-track assistant professor to join the Dept of Molecular & Cellular Physiology at Stanford. Apply to be our colleague 1/n
facultypositions.stanford.edu/en-us/job/49...
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
Thrilled to share my main postdoc work with @jamesbriscoe.bsky.social
We used genomic barcoding + scRNAseq in chick & human embryos to reveal a lineage architecture that reshapes how we understand neural tube development & cell fate decisions
🧵👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We used genomic barcoding + scRNAseq in chick & human embryos to reveal a lineage architecture that reshapes how we understand neural tube development & cell fate decisions
🧵👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Hierarchical lineage architecture of human and avian spinal cord revealed by single-cell genomic barcoding
The formation of neural circuits depends on the precise spatial and temporal organisation of neuronal populations during development. In the vertebrate spinal cord, progenitors are patterned into mole...
www.biorxiv.org
October 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Thrilled to share my main postdoc work with @jamesbriscoe.bsky.social
We used genomic barcoding + scRNAseq in chick & human embryos to reveal a lineage architecture that reshapes how we understand neural tube development & cell fate decisions
🧵👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We used genomic barcoding + scRNAseq in chick & human embryos to reveal a lineage architecture that reshapes how we understand neural tube development & cell fate decisions
🧵👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
My lab is seeking two PhD candidates to investigate the function and regulation of endogenous retroviruses in the early stages of human development 🦠👩🔬. Apply through the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) program: www.molgen.mpg.de/IMPRS/applic.... www.molgen.mpg.de/5094682/Fuey...
[2026] – Endogenous retroviruses in human embryogenesis
www.molgen.mpg.de
October 23, 2025 at 8:31 PM
My lab is seeking two PhD candidates to investigate the function and regulation of endogenous retroviruses in the early stages of human development 🦠👩🔬. Apply through the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) program: www.molgen.mpg.de/IMPRS/applic.... www.molgen.mpg.de/5094682/Fuey...
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
The Skok Lab is recruiting an experienced computational scientist to lead single-molecule epigenomic and 3D genome analysis. We integrate long-read sequencing with Hi-C/Hi-ChIP, scmulti-omics, and machine-learning to explore chromatin topology, and gene regulation.
October 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The Skok Lab is recruiting an experienced computational scientist to lead single-molecule epigenomic and 3D genome analysis. We integrate long-read sequencing with Hi-C/Hi-ChIP, scmulti-omics, and machine-learning to explore chromatin topology, and gene regulation.
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
Looking forward, I am launching my lab in the @mitkochinstitute.bsky.social and IMES at @mit.edu, and will continue studying how the unique regulatory landscape of ecDNA enables tumor evolution. We're looking for creative scientists to push this frontier - if you're interested, get in touch!
October 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Looking forward, I am launching my lab in the @mitkochinstitute.bsky.social and IMES at @mit.edu, and will continue studying how the unique regulatory landscape of ecDNA enables tumor evolution. We're looking for creative scientists to push this frontier - if you're interested, get in touch!
Here, we show that the unique regulatory landscape of ecDNA enables an ancient LINE to resurrect and act as an enhancer of Myc. This was so fun with @katerinakraft.bsky.social and @mattjones.bsky.social and others. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Enhancer activation from transposable elements in extrachromosomal DNA - Nature Cell Biology
Kraft, Murphy, Jones et al. identify extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA)-interacting elements (EIEs) enriched for transposable elements within ecDNA in colorectal cancer cells. They show that EIE 14 integrat...
www.nature.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Here, we show that the unique regulatory landscape of ecDNA enables an ancient LINE to resurrect and act as an enhancer of Myc. This was so fun with @katerinakraft.bsky.social and @mattjones.bsky.social and others. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
The TArgeted Cohesin Loader (TACL) paper was just published. Happy that we were able to contribute to this really exciting project!
If you want to learn how targeting cohesin to defined loci in the genome affects the local chromatin environment and transcription, look no further!
rdcu.be/eLiT5
If you want to learn how targeting cohesin to defined loci in the genome affects the local chromatin environment and transcription, look no further!
rdcu.be/eLiT5
Characterization of induced cohesin loop extrusion trajectories in living cells
Nature Genetics - This study introduces a system called TArgeted Cohesin Loader (TACL) that recruits cohesin complexes at defined genomic regions and induces loop extrusion events in living cells,...
rdcu.be
October 16, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The TArgeted Cohesin Loader (TACL) paper was just published. Happy that we were able to contribute to this really exciting project!
If you want to learn how targeting cohesin to defined loci in the genome affects the local chromatin environment and transcription, look no further!
rdcu.be/eLiT5
If you want to learn how targeting cohesin to defined loci in the genome affects the local chromatin environment and transcription, look no further!
rdcu.be/eLiT5
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
What is a promoter? And how does it work?
We very happy to share our latest work trying to understand enhancer-promoter compatibility.
I am very excited about the results of @blanka-majchrzycka.bsky.social, which changed the way I think about promoters
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We very happy to share our latest work trying to understand enhancer-promoter compatibility.
I am very excited about the results of @blanka-majchrzycka.bsky.social, which changed the way I think about promoters
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Enhancer-promoter compatibility is mediated by the promoter-proximal region
Gene promoters induce transcription in response to distal enhancers. How enhancers specifically activate their target promoter while bypassing other promoters remains unclear. Here, we find that the p...
www.biorxiv.org
October 16, 2025 at 3:06 PM
What is a promoter? And how does it work?
We very happy to share our latest work trying to understand enhancer-promoter compatibility.
I am very excited about the results of @blanka-majchrzycka.bsky.social, which changed the way I think about promoters
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We very happy to share our latest work trying to understand enhancer-promoter compatibility.
I am very excited about the results of @blanka-majchrzycka.bsky.social, which changed the way I think about promoters
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Dr. Sedona Murphy
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...