Registration is open for @dmmjournal.bsky.social 2026 meeting 'Innovative Preclinical Models for Pediatric Cancer Research' organised by James Amatruda amatrudalab.bsky.social, Pratiti (Mimi) Bandopadhayay, bandolab.bsky.social, Ana Banito & Elaine Mardis. Find out more bit.ly/46r84Ca #DMM2026cancer
02.03.2026 15:05 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Subject collection cover with title: Microbiome in Health and Disease. A collection of papers, reprinted from Disease Models & Mechanisms
I'm excited to be heading to Wellcome Genome Campus next week for #Microbiome26 @eventswcs.bsky.social
Please come chat to me if you're interested in publishing with @dmmjournal.bsky.social & joining our microbiome collection of articles:
journals.biologists.com/dmm/collecti...
#MicrobiomeSky
The figure shows gene expression analysis of unsorted, CD49 sorted and CD19 sorted SCβ-cells using NanoString analysis.
Luo Ting Huang, Yaser Tahamtani, @nictitate.bsky.social & co explored the possibility of magnetic selection of insulin-expressing stem cell‑derived β‑cells using a CRISPR/Cas9 technology and transmembrane glycoprotein CD19 as a marker.
@bcchresearch.bsky.social
Read: doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
Innovative Preclinical Models for Pediatric Cancer Research Organisers: James Amatruda, Pratiti (Mimi) Bandopadhayay, Ana Banito and Elaine Mardis Date: 13 - 15 October 2026 Location: Nationwide Children's Hospital Conference Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Registration is open for @dmmjournal.bsky.social 2026 meeting 'Innovative Preclinical Models for Pediatric Cancer Research' organised by James Amatruda amatrudalab.bsky.social, Pratiti (Mimi) Bandopadhayay, bandolab.bsky.social, Ana Banito & Elaine Mardis. Find out more bit.ly/46r84Ca #DMM2026cancer
27.02.2026 09:04 — 👍 5 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
Workflow diagram showing how a 26‑gene neuronal co‑expression module was derived from the human epilepsy‑associated M30 network using Drosophila single‑cell RNA‑seq data. Steps include identifying fly orthologs, filtering genes with high expression, computing pairwise Spearman correlations, and clustering. A heatmap displays co‑expression among 142 fly genes, highlighting a 26‑gene module marked by a boxed region and enlarged alongside the full matrix.
Jingyi Long, Kevin Lüthy, Mireia Coll-Tané, Annette Schenck & co used #Drosophila scRNA-seq to refine an #epilepsy gene co-expression network, reproducing seizures for 4 genes, identifying 2 new candidates and finding 3 genes whose knockdown was protective.
Read doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
Comparative lung images from BALB/c mice infected with different MAC isolates, showing varying degrees of tissue damage. Representative lung slices display inflammation (in green) and granulomas (in red), with MAC101 and MAC104 infections showing larger affected areas than MAC2285R. Multi‑scale panels include whole‑lung views and higher‑magnification sections highlighting lesion severity and distribution.
Timothy Shaw, Mercedes Gonzalez-Juarrero & co investigated Mycobacterium avium complex isolate-dependent differences in #PulmonaryDisease, quantified them and added novel insights into #lung immune cell profiling and whole-body plethysmography in prolonged infection.
Read doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
Super‑resolution images of Epm2b−/− astrocytes matured in culture and of hippocampal astrocytes from 16‑month‑old Epm2b−/− mice. Both sets of images show GFAP‑positive astrocytes (red), glycogen‑positive PGBs (green), and DAPI‑stained nuclei (blue), with magnified insets highlighting the granular PGB structures.
Mireia Moreno-Estellés, Pascual Sanz & co improved their astrocytic model of #LaforaDisease by maturing #astrocytes, showing that they accumulate larger and granular PGBs (insoluble glycogen form), recapitulating key characteristics of the disease.
Read doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
@ibv-csic.bsky.social
#apaperaday Today's pick is by Wang et al published in @dmmjournal.bsky.social on a Duchenne rat model with a deletion of exon 45 in rat dystrophin gene (one of the most common deletions in human dystrophin gene). Obviously I had to make an origami rat to decorate the paper. doi: 10.1242/dmm.052578
20.02.2026 08:18 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
The pictures shows the details of the conference: Developmental origins of paediatric cancer symposium, Monday 8 June 2026, The Francis Crick Institute, London.
DMM is supporting the Developmental origins of #PaediatricCancer symposium. Discover the latest cutting-edge research on the modelling, biology and treatment in the field.
Just 3 days left before the abstract submission deadline on 28 Feb 2026
Info www.cclg.org.uk/information-...
Confocal images of Drosophila wing imaginal discs showing the effects of cohesin and PARP depletion. Panels display GFP‑marked regions of the wing pouch with staining for DNA (DAPI), DNA‑damage foci (γH2Av), and apoptosis (cleaved Caspase‑3). Quantification plots show increased γH2Av‑positive and cCas3‑positive cells in specific depletion conditions, with statistical comparisons indicating significant elevations in DNA damage and apoptosis relative to controls.
Simona Totaro, Valentina Massa, @vaccarilab.bsky.social & co showed that somatic STAG2 variants occur in #glioblastoma and #medulloblastoma, and that reducing SA1 during fly brain development disrupts neural stem cell differentiation and drives tumorigenesis.
Read doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
The figure shows staining of mouse embryos with X-gal to highlight Ttc21b in whole-mount embryos (panels A-D,H) or after sectioning (panels E-G,I-N). Boxed areas in panel E are shown magnified in panels F and G, boxed areas in panels I and L are shown magnified in panels J and M. Arrows indicate specific areas of lacZ expression.
Rebekah Niewoehner, Rolf Stottmann & co found that pathogenic Ttc21b variants, the primary #cilia gene, contribute to primary #microcephaly, with homozygous #mouse mutants showing severe #microcephaly due to impaired neural progenitor proliferation and differentiation.
Read doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
Figure showing progressive cardiac abnormalities in DmdΔ45 rats compared with wild‑type controls. Panel A presents a bar graph of heart weight normalized to body weight, with DmdΔ45 rats showing increased values. Panel B displays heart tissue sections: HPS staining on the left reveals structural disorganization, and Sirius Red staining on the right highlights increased fibrosis in DmdΔ45 hearts, particularly in the left and right ventricles. Panel C shows a line graph of cardiac output measured by transthoracic echocardiography from 3 to 18 months, with DmdΔ45 rats exhibiting a decline over time. Panel D presents left ventricular end‑systolic diameter measurements, which are enlarged in DmdΔ45 rats. Panel E shows a bar plot of ejection fraction, reduced in DmdΔ45 animals.
Tao Wang, Cynthia Daoud, Abbass Jaber, Isabelle Richard & co generated a new #RatModel of #DuchenneMuscularDystrophy with an exon 45 deletion using CRISPR/Cas9, recapitulating the most-frequent single-exon deletion and key features of #DMD.
Read: doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
We also have a separate programme for the Global South. If your idea is selected, we will bring the event to your region.
#BiologistsWorkshops
Details: www.biologists.com/workshops/pr...
Do you have a DMM-related workshop idea but need support with logistics or funding?
Our annual call for topics is now open, and if your idea is selected, you can bring it to life.
#BiologistsWorkshops
Details: www.biologists.com/workshops/pr...
Photo of Arístides López-Márquez
And check out #FirstPerson interview with Arístides López-Márquez, in which he talks about the inspiration behind his work and his plans for the future.
doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
The figure shows the fibrosis analysis. Top panel shows images of diaphragm, quadriceps and tibialis anterior sections from mice stained with Picro Sirius Red, which reveal collagen deposition as an indicator of fibrosis. Bottom panel shows violin plots representing the quantification of the percentage area of fibrosis in the diaphragm, quadriceps or tibialis anterior of wild-type, heterozygous and homozygous mice aged 2, 6 or 12 months.
Arístides López-Márquez, Cecilia Jiménez-Mallebrera & co used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate the first #MouseModel of a pathogenic variant that involves glycine substitutions in the triple helical domain of collagen VI alpha chains and leads to congenital #MuscleDisease.
Read doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
This year, DMM is supporting the 'Integrating Multi-Modal, Multi-Scale Models of Cardiovascular Disease Mechanisms' workshop organised by Jennifer Davis,
Christine Mummery & Beth Pruitt.
Application deadline 8 May 2026 www.biologists.com/workshops/no...
#CardiovascularDisease
Check out the #FirstPerson interview with Mrudula Dileep and Anamika Sharma, the collaborators behind our January issue #EditorsChoise research article on the connection between mitochondrial stress and #ParkinsonsDisease.
Read doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
Photo of Jacob Trend
Don't forget to read #FirstPerson interview with Jacob Trend for more insight into how this research came together and what he plans to do next.
Read: doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
The figure shows the results of regionalisation of murine cortical bone, which reveals region-specific microstructural properties. Panels A-C show images of regional microstructure quantification, namely intracortical canals and osteocyte lacunae mapped by size. Panels D-G show graphs of regionalised and quantified cortical porosity, canal number density, lacunar number density and average lacunar volume.
@jtrendbio.bsky.social, @clarkinbonebiol.bsky.social & co used synchrotron X-ray computed tomography to characterise the distribution and structure of intracortical canals and #osteocyte lacunae, helping identify molecular drivers of age-related cortical porosity.
Read: doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
A split illustration compares scientific work in the past and present. On the left, labeled “Then,” a lone male scientist in a lab coat stands at a simple bench, holding glass flasks with books stacked beside them and a small mouse on the table. On the right, labeled “Now,” a diverse team of three researchers works together at a modern laboratory station with computers and a microscope.This image is by neilsmithillustration.co.uk
For International Day of Women & #GirlsInScience revisit this editorial from Editorial Board Member Kirsten Sadler on the shifting culture of the scientific workforce doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
#WomenInScience #WomenInSTEM #EveryVoiceInScience
Photo of Jing-Fu Bao
And check out the #FirstPerson interview with Jing-Fu Bao, where he talks about the inspiration behind his research and the challenges young researchers face in the current environment.
Read doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
The figure shows global changes of the left ventricle in modified nephrectomy- and adenine-induced uremic cardiomyopathy. Panel A: volcano plot of upregulated and downregulated differentially expressed genes. Panels B and C: gene ontology circle graphs showing the main changes in biological processes, cellular components and molecular functions in uremic cardiomyopathy developed by both approaches. Panel D: gene set enrichment analysis, which identified the primary differences between these two approaches.
Jing-Fu Bao, Youhua Liu, Aiqing Li & co developed two methods to simulate human uremic #cardiomyopathy, compared these approaches across several #RatModel and#MouseModel, and identified CCR-2 as a potential therapeutic target.
Read doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
The figure shows the key features of human cerebellar patterning and gene expression. Panel A: The midbrain –hindbrain boundary is set at ∼4-5 post-conception weeks. The isthmic organizer secretes the morphogens to set the boundary. Panel B: around 10 weeks post conception, two progenitor pools are specified, including the ventricular zone, which generates all inhibitory neurons and glial cells, and the rhombic lip, which generates all excitatory neurons. The external granule layer is a second germinal zone producing the abundant excitatory granule neurons of the cerebellum. Panel C: at later stages in development, the cerebellum becomes highly foliated and adopts its characteristic three-layer structure. Panel D: major cell types of the mature cerebellum include Purkinje cells, granule cells, unipolar brush cells, GABAergic interneurons and cerebellar nuclei.
Esther Becker, Simone Mayer and @lenakutscher.bsky.social teamed up to summarise current approaches for generating #cerebellar #organoids and advocate for the establishment of rigorous quality control standards to ensure reproducible, high-quality research.
Read doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
The photo of Prof. Elizabeth Patton
Congratulations to our Editor-in-Chief, Liz Patton, on receiving the 2026 Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Award for the pioneering work using #zebrafish for #melanoma research.
She will give a CNV Award Lecture at the 2026 @ezsociety.bsky.social
meeting
www.ezsociety.org/cnv-awardee-...
#WomenInScience
The pictures shows the details of the conference: Developmental origins of paediatric cancer symposium, Monday 8 June 2026, The Francis Crick Institute, London.
DMM is supporting the Developmental origins of #PaediatricCancer symposium. Discover the latest cutting-edge research on the modelling, biology and treatment in the field.
Abstract submission until 28 Feb 2026
Info www.cclg.org.uk/information-...
Registration www.tickettailor.com/events/cclg/...
Diagram of a C. elegans worm showing two infection routes. On the left, oral delivery introduces pathogens into the pharynx and intestinal lumen, leading to intestinal infections. Extracellular bacteria are shown in the lumen, while intracellular pathogens such as Orsay virus and microsporidia appear inside intestinal cells. A zoomed inset shows three intestinal cells with nuclei. On the right, eukaryotic pathogens such as fungi and oomycetes penetrate the cuticle to infect the epidermal syncytium. A second inset shows the epidermal layer with hyp7 nuclei and a pathogen breaching the cuticle.
Brand new review by Emily Troemel, Patricija van Oosten-Hawle & Michalis Barkoulas explores discoveries from C. elegans that elucidate connections between immune responses and #proteostasis
doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
#Celegans #immunity
Figure showing CD19Δ‑mScarlet localization and expression. (A) Flow cytometry dot plots of HEK293 cells 72 hours after transfection with CD19Δ‑mScarlet constructs, comparing untransfected control, construct with 2A, and without 2A; right panel shows a bar graph quantifying the percentage of mScarlet⁺CD19⁺ cells. (B) Flow cytometry of d25 SCβ‑cells showing unstained, surface‑stained, and surface plus intracellular CD19 staining, with a bar graph of CD19⁺ percentages. (C) Immunofluorescence images of stage 6 d25 SCβ‑cell clusters showing DAPI‑stained nuclei (blue), insulin (green), and CD19Δ‑mScarlet (red), including two magnified insets highlighting red fluorescence at the cell surface.
This new paper from Luo Ting Huang, @nictitate.bsky.social & co @bcchresearch.bsky.social used genetic engineering to facilitate magnetic-activated cell sorting enrichment of insulin-producing stem cell-derived β cells with implications for cell-replacement therapy
doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
Photograph of Priyanka Tibarewal
Meet Priyanka Tibarewal, 1st author of new paper with Bart Vanhaesebroeck & co @ucl.ac.uk presenting a mouse model of human PTEN variants to elucidate associations with tissue overgrowth, #autism spectrum disorder and #cancer
Interview & article:
🥼 doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
📰 doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
EACR Conference Cancer Genomics, Multiomics and Computational Biology Essen, Germany : 12 - 14 May 2026
Join Cancer Genomics in Essen, Germany (12-14 May 2026) to discover the latest breakthroughs in cancer genomics, multiomics and computational biology: bit.ly/47xVTo7
@helloeacr.bsky.social
