Hang in there bud

🐟 New preprint ! 🐟 For Hippo pathway aficionados. We generated a CRISPR/Cas9 mediated single-copy endogenous Yap1-mGreenLantern fusion protein in medaka to follow Yap1 dynamics in vivo, through embryogenesis and beyond. And it is such a beautiful line ! 🧵

We believe this is just the beginning. Tissue-specific and temporal control of zGrad, combined with our new endogenous KI lines (and those already in the community), will allow us to dynamically interrogate the context-dependent roles of key signalling proteins in development and regeneration.

Now the fun part: to acutely remove the Yap1 protein in vivo we used the degron nanobody system (zGrad) on our homozygous Yap1-mGL embryos. And it is very potent. Yap1 protein is depleted and we recapitulate the genetic mutant phenotypes in all injected embryos.

Yap1 (hirame) mutants in medaka lose 3D body shape and show wide-ranging phenotypes from the global loss of tissue tension. Our Yap1-mGL homozygotes? Viable, fertile, no phenotype, arguing that the fusion protein is fully functional.

Result: expression and putative activity diverge. High N/C ratio in forming somites and unipotent progenitors in the notochord. Low N/C ratio in posterior PSM and neural tube. Yap1 is everywhere in the tail, but "ON" only in specific tissues.

Next, we assessed Yap1 signal during somitogenesis. Yap1 activity isn't defined by expression but by sub-cellular (nuclear/cytoplasmic) localisation. So we used the KI line to quantify the N/C ratio in single cells and across the whole tissue as a proxy for Yap1 activity.

We are able to track the onset of Yap1-mGL fluorescence prior to gastrulation. Cells driving rhythmic contractions during gastrulation show strong Yap1-mGL. Stay tuned for an excellent paper from @simonknoblich.bsky.social & co on the molecular and cellular characterisation of these cells.

🐟 New preprint ! 🐟 For Hippo pathway aficionados. We generated a CRISPR/Cas9 mediated single-copy endogenous Yap1-mGreenLantern fusion protein in medaka to follow Yap1 dynamics in vivo, through embryogenesis and beyond. And it is such a beautiful line ! 🧵

Congratulations Marge and Gabriel !

‼️ Postdoc position open. We study how protein metabolism controls time. If you’re excited by this question, we’d love to hear from you! We’re looking for a motivated & collaborative researcher with a strong track record. 📅 30 September 2026 📢 Please share Apply here 👇👇

With almost 80% turn-out, about 1 in 2 voters in Saxony-Anhalt chose a party that is officially designated as right-wing extremist by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz) of Saxony-Anhalt. Insane times.

It doesn't take a political genius to have seen this coming. The country is sleep-walking into a disaster. The current government is absent/useless. And the political class lost the narrative. A harbinger of dark times.