Naomi Moris

Reminder that you can still apply for a #PhD 📖(www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...) [Deadline: 3rd Nov] or #Postdoc (flexible, collaborative project designed by you!) 📑 (www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...) [Deadline: Jan] in our lab! A perfect opportunity to delve into the magical world of #embryomodels !

crick.ac.ukcrick.ac.uk

Always a pleasure to chat to @dev-journal.bsky.social about all things developmental!

Development@dev-journal.bsky.social

Transitions in development – an interview with Naomi Moris Read about @nmoris.bsky.social's transition to group leadership, her experience establishing new in vitro embryo models, and the importance of transparent public engagement in research on human development. doi.org/10.1242/dev....

crick.ac.ukPhD student recruitmentPhD recruitment information.

Applications are now open for the @crick.ac.uk PhD programme to start in 2027! 🙌 We are offering a fantastic project on germ cells, so please do consider applying and share widely with anyone who might be interested! 🙏 www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...

crick.ac.ukPACE postdoctoral fellowshipsSupporting ambitious researchers to develop collaborative research projects with our university partners.

And if you've already done a PhD, the Crick have just launched new PACE Postdoc Fellowships, which offer an exciting opportunity to collaborate with our partner universities in London. We'd be very open to any suggestions from candidates who want to propose a project! www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...

Naomi Moris reposted

Melanie D. White

@melaniedwhite.bsky.social

I spoke with @nature.com about the Nikon Small World controversy. As AI becomes part of scientific imaging, we need greater transparency about what was measured, inferred or generated. It's not about excluding AI. It’s about preserving trust in scientific evidence. www.nature.com/articles/d41...

nature.comThis award-winning microscopy image used AI — igniting controversy in a prestigious competitionResearchers say that using artificial-intelligence tools to visualize scientific images can become problematic when models misrepresent the underlying data.

lister-institute.org.ukLister Institute | News | Our Lister Prize Winners for 2026Eight exceptional early-career researchers become Lister Research Fellows and join our community of biomedical research pioneers and leaders.

24 June

Delighted to have been awarded a Lister Prize with which we will continue our research on human embryo models, as part of the Lister community lister-institute.org.uk/news/our-lis... Due in large part to our amazing team of researchers who always strive to push boundaries + do excellent science 💪

4 June

The term 'stem cell-based embryo models' was used in the UK House of Lords today... 😱

19 May

Really important update. If the UK indeed moves towards a ‘sandboxing’ policy it would mean we could be much more responsive to scientific progress in, for instance, the #SCBEM field. From the always excellent @emmacave.bsky.social

Progress Educational Trust (PET)@pet-bionews.bsky.social

Professor Emma Cave discusses the newly proposed ‘Regulating for Growth Bill’ announced in the King’s Speech... Read more for free in BioNews: www.progress.org.uk/the-case-for... #SCBEMs #Regulation #Biotechnologies #Research #Ethics #Law #Governance #Science #PublicOpinion

13 May

"Inside this delicate, fluid filled sphere, a small cluster of cells gathers at one side, out of which the embryo proper will grow: every organ, tissue, and feature…researchers have worked out how to watch these events unfold – the grainy opening frames of the movie of life, played on repeat."

This post is unavailable.

13 May

I enjoyed this interaction, as @oh-henry.bsky.social really took time to understand the nuances in this complex field. And I think the resulting text is therefore well-balanced, and wonderfully written... 📝 Let me know what you make of it!

globaltimes.cnglobaltimes.cn

12 May

BLAST(oid) OFF! Embryo models head into space… 🚀 www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/...

5 May

Journal club today included some interesting examples of homeotic and meristic transformations…! 😆

crick.ac.ukCrick Crash Course: Embryo development

20 Apr

I am giving a "Crash Course in Embryo Development" for the general public (no science background needed! pitched around GCSE-level) in London on 21st May www.crick.ac.uk/whats-on/cri... We'll dip into development, with a splash of embryo models, and a pinch of ethics. And it's free! Book online 👍

rdcu.beMorally relevant features warranting ethical oversight in human stem cell-based embryo modelsNature Cell Biology - This Perspective presents a set of attributes by which to evaluate human stem cell-based embryo models that not only include morally relevant embryo features but also take...

9 Apr

Following several years (!) of discussion and rumination, our team of excellent colleagues - Martin Pera, @nicolasrivron.bsky.social, @amartinezarias.bsky.social, Karen Sermon and Nienke de Graeff - have published a new ethical perspective on SCBEM #embryomodels rdcu.be/fcklG [1/5]

We also discuss the possibility of "features of public concern" that might not hold ethical properties themselves, but are still crucial to consider in the context of public trust in research, and the responsibilities of researchers more generally. [4/5]

rdcu.beA guide to using embedded ethics in human stem-cell-based embryo model researchNature Cell Biology - This Perspective proposes the use of an integrative embedded ethics approach to evaluate human stem-cell-based embryo models and outlines a nested benchmarking strategy to...

9 Apr

While this is our perspective, and just the start of a wider discussion, we hope it will be helpful for the community wrestling with SCBEM regulation. 👍 See also the great piece published back-to-back from Jesse Veenvliet and team rdcu.be/fckmY proposing 'embedded ethics' as a way forward 🙌 [5/5]

In it, we caution against trying to classify the ever-growing and fast-paced SCBEM field, and instead suggest we go back to basics and identify the "morally-relevant features" that hold ethical consideration. This helps us identify what we want to protect and what we might want to prevent. [2/5]

9 Apr

As a starting point for this discussion, we propose that 'developmental stage', the degree of 'integration of organ systems', the 'fetal potential' and 'capacity to form circuits' should be considered for any human SCBEM research proposal. [3/5]

Naomi Moris reposted

Sally Lowell

@cellysally.bsky.social

24 Mar

And the @bsdb.bsky.social Waddington medal goes to... @jamesbriscoe.bsky.social. Could not be more highly deserved, I'm so delighted to hear this 👏

3 Mar

Honoured to receive this recognition from @isscr.org along with excellent colleagues- particularly since they noted the ethical advances which @nicolasrivron.bsky.social and I have tried to support in the growing SCBEM field alongside our research, showing the community’s value of ethical leadership

ISSCR@isscr.org

The ISSCR also recognizes five outstanding scientists with Honorable Mention distinctions for the 2026 Early Career Impact Award. The award is supported by the @cheninstitute.bsky.social. Learn more: https://ow.ly/ivGb50YoFaZ

5 Feb

We're recruiting a #devbio Postdoctoral Fellow to explore the hTLS system! If you know any fab PhD students finishing, or candidates wanting to get their hands on #SCBEM embryo models, do get them to apply! 🌟https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-study/vacancies/2026-02-03-postdoctoral-fellow-moris-lab

22 Jan

She was so excited to receive a copy of this in physical form, Komal (joint 1st author) even colour coordinated! 😂 So proud of the team who delivered this fab work 💪🏼 …and our first cover too! ⭐️

nature.comModelling co-development between the somites and neural tube in human trunk-like structures - Nature Cell BiologyMakwana, Tilley et al. generate human stem cell-based trunk-like structures approximating Carnegie stage 13–14 of development. They use them to model and study the development of the thoracic and lumbar trunk.

16 Dec 2025

Lovely little pre-Christmas present to see this out @natcellbio.nature.com! Some 🔥 new results in here since the biorvix incl (1) a new RARE-GFP reporter ✳️🙌, (2) additional NMP quantification 🔢, (3) no neural tube patterning on RA inhibition 🙅 etc. Enjoy! 😍 www.nature.com/articles/s41...

The Francis Crick Institute

16 Dec 2025

Particular thanks to the reviewers, @alexandremayran.bsky.social , @sonnenlab.bsky.social and Val Wilson for their supportive feedback and critical review during the process which definitely made the work stronger 🙏 and to editor @slefkopoulos.bsky.social for the smooth handling 👍

Naomi Moris reposted

@crick.ac.uk

16 Dec 2025

Lab-grown embryo models let researchers study foundational processes of development. A new embryo model has helped researchers at the Crick to study the neural tube and somites in detail and confirm two-way communication between them. Read the full story ➡️ www.crick.ac.uk/news/2025-12...

crick.ac.ukUncovering early embryonic communications using new stem cell modelNew stem cell-based embryo model reveals previously unknown communication between early tissues that become the spine and muscles in the central part of the body.

lnk.toWhat is the future of fertility?Professor Brian Cox and our expert panel explore the science of fertility. Biology has come a long way, but when it comes to fertilisation, pregnancy, and development, our knowledge is still surpr...

5 Nov 2025

Tricky questions and challenging discussions, but I hope we communicated the importance of basic developmental biology research and social context when it comes to the #futureoffertility #ivf Available wherever you get your podcasts! 🎤 www.lnk.to/AQOSFertilit...

5 Nov 2025

and special thanks to the fab all-female panel (+ @briancoxtalks.bsky.social 😆) for being such delightful people to discuss with! @joyceharper.bsky.social @lucyvandewiel.bsky.social & Güneş Taylor! @crick.ac.uk

9 Oct 2025

The Crick is looking for new junior group leaders! Any postdocs or early career researchers wanting to be our colleagues should apply 👍

The Francis Crick Institute@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...

crick.ac.ukMoris Lab | Investigating human trunk development using stem cell-based embryo models

6 Oct 2025

Fully-funded 4-year PhD Opportunities available at the @crick.ac.uk , including a project in our lab on human #embryomodels Feel free to share with anyone interested, and apply through the online portal before 5th November! 👏 www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...

22 Sept 2025

Marvellous send off for @amartinezarias.bsky.social ‘s lab, perfectly located in Gaudi’s La Pedrera. I took no pictures as I was too busy hugging old friends, but the organisers incl @dias-andre.bsky.social pulled off something rly special. Community in science is the real joy of the work we do! 💕

crick.ac.ukA Question of Science | What's the future of fertility?A new podcast produced for the Crick by BBC Studios Science Unit.

2 Sept 2025

Do you have friends with questions about fertility? Egg freezing? Embryo research? IVF? Stem Cells? If you're UK-based this Friday, the BBC are hosting a Question of Science and tickets are still available. PLUS you can submit a question in advance to ask the panelists 🎤 shorturl.at/BCTW7

28 July 2025

Thanks @cellysally.bsky.social ! It's shaping up to be a great meeting (no pun intended...) so I'm looking forward to it ☺️

Sally Lowell@cellysally.bsky.social

Speaker update for our Generative Biology workshop: we are delighted to have @nmoris.bsky.social join us. See full list of speakers on the attached flyer or on our website. Apply by 15th August. Places available for short talks. royalsociety.org/science-even...

nytimes.comOpinion | Human Embryo Research: What Time Limit Should We Set?For decades, scientists have abided by a 14-day boundary on their work. Now science can do more. But should it?

25 Mar 2025

Fascinating story-telling on embryo research from the @nytimes.com "what once grew or failed to grow unseen is out in the open, under examination, up for debate" www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

20 Feb 2025

🧫Looking for a PhD to start Autumn 2025? We're recruiting! 🧪 The project will focus on using #embryomodels to explore #development & could cover a range of specific questions. Please RT! 🙏 Apply via the portal, and get more details here: www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...

Naomi Moris reposted

Richard Behringer

@rrbehringer.bsky.social

1 Feb 2025

Here is the 2025 embryo alphabet from alligator to zebrafish. Developmental biology is stunning & leads to important discoveries for human medicine. @socdevbio.bsky.social

science.orgSystematic identification of Y-chromosome gene functions in mouse spermatogenesisThe mammalian Y chromosome is essential for male fertility, but which Y genes regulate spermatogenesis is unresolved. We addressed this by generating 13 Y-deletant mouse models. In Eif2s3y, Uty, and Z...

24 Jan 2025

The Y chromosome is critical for sex determination, but what do the genes on the Y actually DO? And how is this important for spermatogenesis? Tour-de-force paper from our colleagues @lab-turner.bsky.social ! 👏https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ads6495

Have you ever wondered how your back formed? The human embryo makes a neural tube (future spinal cord) and somites (trunk muscle/bone) from ~d20. They’re formed at the same time and place, so we used human Trunk-like Structures (hTLS) to investigate their ‘co-development’… (1/7)

Thus, we found feedback in both directions, causing patterning important for organogenesis. The simple ‘modularity’ of hTLS that let us investigate in the presence/absence of certain tissues, could help us understand co-development, esp in a human context (6/7)

biorxiv.orgModelling co-development between somites and neural tube with human Trunk-like Structures (hTLS)Human stem cell-based embryo models have opened new avenues of research in development by providing experimentally amenable in vitro systems. One of the features of embryo models is their multilineage...

This work was led by postdoc, Komal, and research scientist, Louise, @theCrick with the help of lots of others. The link to our biorxiv manuscript can be found here: biorxiv.org/cgi/content/... Feedback welcome, thanks for reading! 🙏 (7/7)

BUT without a notochord, hTLS are dorsal. Exposure to SAG makes them ‘ventralise’ dose-dependently. Doing this, we noticed something interesting… the NT cells next to the somites were different from the other side. Communication between tissues was setting up an axis... (4/7)

So we looked at signalling between the 2 tissues. As predicted from animals, RA is needed for PAX6+ but not neurogenesis. Plus, ALDH1A2 (which synthesises RA) was only in the medial somite - implying neural tube signalling was reciprocally patterning the somites! (5/7)

hTLS are an embryo model that mirrors development using human cells. We used 7 cell lines + optimised to make it robust. The neural tube forms through a 2ndry neurulation-like process. Bioinformatically, hTLS cells are most like Carnegie Stage13-14 embryos (~day 28!) (2/7)