Dr Sophie Acton
@ActonLab
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Group Leader/Cancer Research UK Senior Fellow @MRC_LMCB @UCL | Lymphoid tissue biology #immunity #cancer | #SciArt | Funded by @CRUKresearch @ERC_research |
London, England
Joined November 2016
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Can’t go to ‘normal’ school dressed as a turtle can you?
#remotelearning
#homeschooling
#lockdown
#COVID19
#kidsfashion
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It's official, I am a CRUK senior fellow!
Excited for the next projects in
#lymphoid
#tissuebiology
. We're looking for several new team members - to be advertised shortly
Thanks to the wonderful team who built the lab with me over the last 6+ years
@LMCB_UCL
@UCLLifeSciences
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We’re petitioning for ERC to reconsider eligibility - changing from PhD date to from when we start independent positions. This would allow more diversity in career paths… currently many researchers miss out before they even get started.
#fairfunding
#academia
#NewPI
#grants
#EDI
If you agree that ERC should remove their academic age limits on ERC grants - please Sign this Petition! Please also RT:
#EDI
#science
#EuropeanScience
#ERCgrant
via
@UKChange
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Well I didn’t like being your teacher either little Mr reviewer
#2
!
#homeschooling
#harsh
#teachertwitter
#lockdown
#notaproperteacher
#teachers
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New, improved, and peer-reviewed...
Our work on
#NewPI
career support is published today in
@eLife
. The preprint "Life of PI" on
@biorxivpreprint
is up to almost 10k downloads!
Thanks to everyone who helped and supported this collaboration!
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Promotion success!
"Professor Acton" - October 2024
Thank you
@CRUKresearch
,
@ERC_Research
,
@wellcometrust
for funding
Thank you
@LMCB_UCL
,
@UCLLifeSciences
for mentorship and support since 2016.
But above all, thank you to the amazing students and postdocs past and present
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Always so nice to see and feel the real life issue!
@NatImmunol
@hlhorsnell2
‘Control of lymph node swelling’
Read our
#OpenAccess
paper online here!
#mechanics
#biophysics
#tissuebiology
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Perspectives on postdoc - PI transition
1) increase your visibility
2) network
3) have confidence in your plans
4) collaborate with your peers
5) share your experiences with other
#newPIs
6) take criticism well - these people at least read your grant properly!
At the
@UCL_CI_Postdocs
retreat,
@ActonLab
shares her valuable insights for postdocs transitioning to independence. Of interest
@ScienceTakeAway
.
#CIPARetreat2018
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Have told the lab this week to finish up experiments and work from home.
Now is the time to act, the earlier the better...
#FlattenTheCurve
#Covid_19
#workingfromhome
#everydaycounts
#SlowTheSpread
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This is the inside architecture of our lymph nodes. How do these intricate structures stay intact as our lymph nodes swell in response to infection?
Podoplanin (green) CollagenIV (red)
Part of the answer in
@VctorGMartinez2
preprint...
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Picked up a pencil today for the first time in a long long time... decades even.
#drawing
#keepcalm
#relax
#COVIDSecondWave
#nothingelsetodo
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We made this video to explain our research - how lymph nodes expand during immune reactions. Access the full
#free
mp4 -
via
@figshare
animation by
@phospho
funded by
@4womeninscience
voice over
@LeadingEdgeSci
#teaching
#teacher
#biology
#STEM
#education
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Our study on lymph node tissue mechanics is online
@NatImmunol
! Fantastic job by lead author
@hlhorsnell2
. Thanks to all our collaborators and colleagues who helped along the way
#TissueBiology
#Mechanics
#Stroma
#Immunology
#Lymphnodes
#Fibroblasts
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And we’re online!
Congratulations again to
@VctorGMartinez2
and to all our collaborators who helped put this together
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This is disappointing
We will not be adjusting their projects, and leave my students with an unfinished project and no publication.
Instead I will use every bit of flexible funding available to me and find a way for them to finish properly.
@MillwardLindsey
@hlhorsnell2
We are therefore advising all students funded by UKRI, including those on grants from any of the seven research councils, to speak to their supervisors about how to adjust their project to complete a doctoral-level qualification within their funded period.
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2 papers accepted last week!
2021 is looking a lot better than 2020... glad to have survived last year just about in piece, now finding some energy, enthusiasm and optimism again!
@VctorGMartinez2
@lotte_dewinde
@yuktihari
@hlhorsnell2
@MillwardLindsey
@christabenji
@S_Makris
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Our latest
#preprint
on
#mechanics
controlling
#lymphnode
expansion led by
#PhD
@hlhorsnell2
Fibroblastic reticular cells generate forces controlling tissue size and triggering
#stromal
proliferation
Collaboration
@YanlanMao
@PaluchLab
Thread...
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lymph node architecture by zoom
we're trying to understand how inflamed lymph nodes return to 'normal' after and adaptive immune response.
#tissuebiology
#ImmuneSystem
#workingfromhome
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Next manuscript is taking shape... preprint coming soon!
#yesitsaboutpodoplaninourfavouriteprotein
#notaboutfibroblaststhistime
#amoeboidinvasion
#melanoma
#metastasis
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Before this study I genuinely thought that the gender pay gap in academia was down to an imbalance in seniority, but we found that even starting the same junior positions, women are paid slightly less...
#careers
#NewPI
@MRC_LMCB
@DeRobertus
@SaraEMole
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#Preprint
Latest work from super postdoc
@S_Makris
is now online
@biorxiv_immuno
We conditionally deleted
#podoplanin
in adult lymphoid tissues and found serious defects in homeostatic tissue organisation and fibroblastic reticular cell function
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Proofs!
@VctorGMartinez2
work on lymph node conduits in
@CellReports
on the 26th November. He did all of this from scratch, in less than 3 years, while helping me to set up our lab space and recruiting our group - amazing
Our first paper 100% from our new lab.
#Victorisawesome
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Our paper on
#podoplanin
driving dedifferentiation and amoeboid invasion of melanoma is online
@iScience_CP
Massive team effort this one, led by
@lotte_dewinde
but this story started by a series of talented
#MSci
students through the lab from 2016...
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We study immune responses at the whole organ level
Lymph nodes are the meeting points for all kinds of immune cells, and where adaptive immune responses are initiated.
#immunology
GIF-thread!
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#Preprint
'Podoplanin drives dedifferentiation and amoeboid invasion of melanoma'
The last few months have been difficult
so this feels like a real achievement
Remote data analysis, planning and writing
So proud of
@lotte_dewinde
for pulling this together
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“The worst moment: when one panel member asked why she’d been so unproductive as a postdoc — a query so aggressive that it took Ali a while to gather herself sufficiently to reel off her scientific accomplishments and point out that she’d also had a baby.”
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Peers support peers
"supporting colleagues who struggle with their mental health is a common occurrence in academic settings.... These interactions mainly take place between peers at the same career stage..."
#researchculture
#AcademicMentalHealth
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Finally!
Now where was I? What was I supposed to be doing 6 months ago...
#BackToSchool2020
#WomenInSTEM
#ScientistParent
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Our newest lab member, PhD student Veronika Lachina
@LMCB_UCL
knows how to end the week on a high and has just sent me her first beautiful tile scans of tumour-draining
#lymphnodes
.
These show how quickly lymph node structure can be changed, now to understand what's happening...
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Exciting day
@LMCB_UCL
New toys arrived for intravital and tissue imaging projects!
#microscopy
#tissuebiology
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Scientists around the works have been working frantically to understand this new virus so we can find a way to treat it... this has just been put online, still in review but looks promising 🤞
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I have just realized that I can listen to a seminar while doing something else? I feel like I’ve discovered a time machine! How did it take me 8 months to figure this out ?
#whatareyoudoingwithyourcameraoff
?
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We're recruiting a
#PhD
student to join us this Autumn.
Details below
Please RT and share to any talented Master's students looking to work in tumour microenvironment and
#immunology
projects
#CancerResearch
@LMCB_UCL
@UCLLifeSciences
@CR_UK
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Maternity leave as a postdoc -
Short contracts, tied to PI's funding, moving institutions... all issues leaving postdocs starting a family to fall between the cracks and ineligible for occupational maternity pay.
Have you had issues like this?
#Scientistandparent
All fine, leave was paid
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Paid but wasn't simple
158
End of contract, no pay
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Other problems
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Ali
@dozenoaks
and I met as postdocs (in about 2012?) through our funder
@wellcometrust
She is an incredible scientist and far too modest.
Their story is tough to read, but please do read it, so much of this is true for so many
#newPI
start out in the UK
Two researchers. Three years. One pandemic. Nature reporters spent the last three years following scientists Alison Twelvetrees and Daniel Bose on their quest to establish their own labs, and win million-pound funding grants
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Scientists are adaptable.
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Here she is! Congratulations
@MillwardLindsey
you superstar
Thanks to
@mayor_lab
and
@baroneExpMed
for putting her through her paces in her viva this afternoon!
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Preprint online!
@VctorGMartinez2
- How matrix of lymph node conduit is remodelled during immune responses. We show regulation at transcriptional and protein levels, and cell biology of how FRCs polarise matrix deposition
Please RT - send us your comments!
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Very talented
#electronmicroscopy
lab here
@MRC_LMCB
. Look at these beautiful centrioles. Total distraction, but amazing nonetheless
#SciArt
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It's official
#ERCStG
funded! Acton
#labfamily
will be expanding next year!
Get in touch for
#Stroma
#immunology
and want to join our team!
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Latest review, collaboration with
@ImmunobiologySG
is online now
@TrendsImmuno
"Communication, construction, and fluid control: lymphoid organ fibroblastic reticular cell and conduit networks"
#stroma
#FRCs
#ECM
#OpenScience
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Postdoc to join our lab as part of our Wellcome Discovery Award team with
@LabWithers
and
@ClatworthyLab
Apply below! (closing date May 10th)
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The paper we've been waiting for, single cell RNA sequencing of Fibroblastic stroma in lymph nodes. Distinct subsets, or cell plasticity defined by their specific location? still up for debate...
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About to press submit on a paper revision... fingers crossed 🤞
Massive thanks to everyone in the lab who stepped up to get this over the line, and never complained when I asked them for ‘just one more thing...’
@MillwardLindsey
@yuktihari
@S_Makris
@christabenji
@lotte_dewinde
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Success!
Congratulations Dr Harry Horsnell!
#PhD
he was brilliant
Thank you
@G_Charras
and
@SMuellerLab
for putting him through his paces for 3 hours of questioning!
@LMCB_UCL
@hlhorsnell2
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Icing on the cake -
@S_Makris
also gets the cover for the January issue
@DMM_Journal
!
#lymphnode
#stroma
#fantasticfibroblasts
‘Immune function and dysfunction are determined by lymphoid tissue efficacy’
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My favourite thing in the lab was always when someone rushed excitedly to the office to show me their data...
I’m so glad that even through social distanced return to work I still get sent screenshots of that great moment when something works!
Great job
@MillwardLindsey
#data
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Athena Swan GOLD - AGAIN for the
@MRC_LMCB
at
@UCL
This is us celebrating (remotely)! Thanks to everyone on the EDIC team, this was definitely a team effort!
#researchculture
#genderequality
#teamwork
#virtualhighfiveeveryone
#goodnewsinlockdown
We are delighted to announce that
@Athena_SWAN
has renewed our GOLD award in recognition of our ongoing commitment to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion.
A special thank you to the entire EDI Committee and
@UCLEqualities
for support!
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#LEGO
counts as
#homeschooling
right? Evidence suggests a very productive day...
#kidsactivities
#mess
#TidyTuesday
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Enjoying seeing this online!
@lotte_dewinde
brought her expertise in
#tetraspanins
to
#stromalimmunology
Reviewed through
@ReviewCommons
and transferred to
@J_Cell_Sci
reviews and our responses are online with the final version
#OpenScience
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Big day for
@MillwardLindsey
defending her PhD thesis!
Lindsey has been working on the cytoskeleton remodeling of fibroblastic reticular cells to maintain the stromal networks during lymph node expansion. Preprint coming in 2022!
@kinasebiology
@baroneExpMed
@mayor_lab
@pj_saez
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impressive PhD viva from
@palmada86
He builds superres microscopes and designed microfluidics system with
#LEGO
@MRC_LMCB
@HenriquesLab
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Spiros - Master of the Cryostat
#skills
#sciencesuperpowers
#greatmovietitle
Cutting lymph node tissue sections is an art form, and he’s nailed it
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Paper ACCEPTED! Journal of Cell Science
@J_Cell_Sci
@lotte_dewinde
shows
#tetraspanin
CD37 is required to stabilise and promote interaction between CLEC-2 and Podoplanin - promoting DC migration and FRC actomyosin regulation
#preprint
here -
#CellBiology
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Work smarter, not harder folks...
We’ve all worked evenings and weekends when necessary but there really is not need to make this a regular work schedule
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Article out today from summarizing the report by
@wellcometrust
into research culture.
@ChrisToseland
@dozenoaks
@AndrewJDBell
@Kevin_Coutinho
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Our first
#CyTOF
attempt
Fingers crossed 🤞
@SpirosMakris21
has about 3 weeks work in that one tube!
#highrisk
#highgain
?
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Victory!
For anyone confused as to why we (
@Stromal_Immunol
@ImmunologyMelb
@DrDentie
@BmjoPhd
@arthritisbham
and others) have pushed so hard for the inclusion of stroma please find me to chat about how fibroblasts run the show in lymphoid tissues.
#stromalimmunology
#BSI21
And the winner is… 🥁
#FantasticFibroblasts
Fibroblasts will be the next
#ImmuneCell
to join our lineup of badges at
#BSI22
✨
Thanks to everyone who voted! If you haven’t grabbed a badge yet at
#BSI21
, make sure you head over to the BSI stand to get yours! ⏰
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Shiny new
#preprint
coming soon!
Work led by
@S_Makris
and
@yuktihari
featuring the 2020 lockdown project of fantastic master's student
@j_cantoral
. We examine alternative signalling pathways downstream of
#podoplanin
and how they impact lymph node function.
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Nothing like taking a step back to present the past 5 years work to make you appreciate the brilliant people who brought all the projects to life.
Thanks to everyone, past and present
Miss being in the lab all together!
#Thanks
#NewPI
#Careers
#that5yearswentfast
#whatsnext
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#homeschooling
does have the occasional nice moment though... Year 1 are learning to write poems.
I wish I was actually
#magic
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As expected, school closed and remote learning this week... likely to be reviewed and continued until things dramatically improve.
A plea for patience and forgiveness for all the balls I’m going to be dropping over the next few weeks/months. It won’t be through lack of trying.
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Big experiments require a very organised postdoc!
this time course flow experiment was started in October
Big day is Tuesday. Whole lab involved to get this all processed on the day
#teamwork
#manyhands
#fingerscrosseditworks
!
Spiros is going to be analysing this data forever...
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Change of scene for this afternoon’s meeting... this desk was my Granny’s
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Proud to have been involved with this work (and share the prize money!) as a postdoc in the team 2012-2016.
The work led by Caetano and Santiago Zelenay now forms the basis for several clinical trials to improve immunotherapy.
@CRUKresearch
🎉 Congratulations to the Crick's Caetano Reis e Sousa! His work showing that aspirin can boost the effect of cancer immunotherapies has won the first Bial Prize.
Find out more about the award and Caetano's work in
@P__Ciencia
(£, in Portuguese). ⬇️
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Lymph node mechanics by
@hlhorsnell2
in
#BSI21
PhD bright sparks session
You can read more details here!
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Mini seminar? No it’s
@hlhorsnell2
presenting his poster on the mechanics of Lymphoid tissue! Next time I’m selling tickets!
#Actin2019
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Lab breakfast to celebrate Lotte’s paper being accepted!
@J_Cell_Sci
CD37 stabilises CLEC2/PDPN interactions controlling DC migration, out soon
#stromalimmunology
#cellbiology
#fryup
#breakfast
#celebrate
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First time on ‘the big microscope’
Nicola is our newest PhD student to join the team!
#microscopy
#Phdlife
@LMCB_UCL
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Best
#cellfie
from the lab this week from
@VctorGMartinez2
Dividing fibroblast/intergalatic alien invasion
#actin
fibronectin and DNA
#microscopy
#cellbiology
#SciArt
#LMCBmicroscopy
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My dept. is recruiting
#newPI
positions, please spread the word!
I've been
@MRC_LMCB
for 3.5 years and been supported through funding applications, mentored and encouraged. I highly recommend join us.
#cellbiology
#tissuebiology
#biophysics
#microscopy
Join us! We're recruiting new group leaders. Help us tackle the unsolved questions in cell biology!
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If you want me to select you for interview, don't start your cover letter "Dear Sir,"
#tipsforpostdocs
#notallthecandidatesarethatstupidluckily
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Apply below if you’d like to join our team based at UCL ⬇️
Work in our lab will be investigating the stromal niches supporting tertiary lymphoid structure formation and function.
#postdoc
@LMCB_UCL
I am delighted to announce our recent Wellcome DA success with
@ActonLab
and
@ClatworthyLab
. Super exciting opportunity. If interested in joining our team as a post-doc please contact any of us for more info.
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Today I will smash and squash my new grant into an acceptable draft 2.5… here we go
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New Spanish prime minister is on to something here! More women in office, and real scientists in charge of science policy.
#simplygoodpractice
#womeninscience
Spanish PM appoints 11 women and six men to new cabinet
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Hiring!
@CRUKresearch
funded
#Postdoc
position in tumour immunology
Collaboration with
@BennettlabUCL
@iit_ucl
on the behaviour of tumour resident dendritic cells in anti-tumour immune responses.
We would set up the
#microscopy
@MRC_LMCB
Please RT
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New addition to the lab fridge...
#microscopy
#hexcode
#RGB
#colours
#Fiji
#howtomakebeautifulinvertedimages
like
@christlet
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Meet our brand new sparkly
#PhD
students. All ours for the next 3 years. Welcome Harry and Lindsey!!!
#alreadypicturingthebeforeandafterpicture
#stromalimmunology
#freshmeat
@MRC_LMCB
#lmcb_students
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Online
@CellReports
- our collaborators' beautiful paper showing how lymphocyte trafficking and lymph node architecture is altered in lymphoma.
Lymphocyte access to lymphoma is impaired by high endothelial venule regression
#Cancer
#immunity
#lymphnode
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remote working success! - surface rendering cancer cells for paper revisions, finding beautiful
#blebs
->
@MillwardLindsey
remotely accessing 'the Beast' super computer
@MRC_LMCB
,
@lotte_dewinde
at home in the Netherlands, me freezing at home in London.
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Early morning walk (alone!)
Headspace and relaxation ready for grant writing today (deadline Thurs)
#walking
#nature
#thinkingtime
#middleofnowhere
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Join the Cytoskeleton and Cell migration seminar this afternoon - 4pm (link below)
@hlhorsnell2
will be the second speaker, showing his unpublished work on the mechanical forces through lymph node tissues in immune responses
#tissuebiology
#mechanics
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I have a helper for writing my grant this afternoon...
#Procrastination
#Chill
#CatsOfTwitter
#AcademicTwitter
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