UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology

@ucl-cdb

At UCL CDB, we strive to gain mechanistic insight into biological processes from cells to whole organisms. We have a long tradition of answering fundamental questions in biology and incorporate the UCL Centre for Integrative Anatomy @ucl-c4ia.bsky.social.

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UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· 14d

🧠 Dr. Arantza Barrios, Associate Professor at UCL, studies the neural mechanisms that give brain circuits the flexibility to learn, adapt, and make decisions based on changing needs and environments. Explore other Group Leaders in our department: 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/life-science...

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· 28d

🎉 Huge congratulations to Alex Agrotis on his promotion to Associate Professor (Teaching)! This promotion recognises not only his dedication to teaching excellence, but also his leadership and commitment to student success. 👏 Join us in congratulating Alex!

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· 29d

We are delighted to share some fantastic news! 🎉 Vanessa Todorow in CDB has been awarded both a Post-doctoral Fellowship and a Trampoline Research Grant from the French AFM-Telethon. Please join us in congratulating Vanessa on this remarkable achievement! 👏 www.researchgate.net/profile/Vane...

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jul 31

🎉 Congratulations to Professor Sandrine Geranton on her promotion in the latest UCL Senior Promotions Round! As Professor of Behavioural and Molecular Neuroscience, Sandrine's dedication to research, teaching, and academic excellence continues to make a significant impact. 👏🎓🫀

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jul 29

Fascinating upcoming seminar series joined by UCL CDB's Jonas Hartman “A Conceptual Basis for Generalizable Theories of Complex and Diverse Living Systems” 📅 29 July 2026 TODAY 🕔 16:00-17:00 GMT (17:00-18:00 CET) Join Zoom here: us06web.zoom.us/j/84499483277?pwd=d10HhtR5aA9AeAyFy8E9N5aDQcJNpj.1

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jul 17

🎉 A proud moment for developmental biology and scientific discovery! Congratulations to Professor Roberto Mayor, who has now officially received his Fellowship of the Royal Society, one of the highest honours in science. 👏 #RoyalSociety #FRS #ScientificExcellence #DevelopmentalBiology #LifeSciences

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jul 8

Our monthly Metabolism in Development & Physiology seminar is back! This month we're taking an evolutionary perspective on metabolism, from membrane function to developmental tempo. @amoyellab.bsky.social 🗓️ Thursday, 9 July | 16:00 CET More info and QR code to sign up below

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jul 8

Colleagues from the Centre for Integrative Anatomy had an inspiring week at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition! 🌟 @laurabporro.bsky.social @tannisdavidson.bsky.social #RoyalSociety #SummerScienceExhibition #SciComm #ScienceOutreach #PublicEngagement

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jul 2

Hello BlueSky! I’m Amelia 👋 I’m proud to be the Wellbeing Champion for Cell & Developmental Biology department. Find out more about how we support our colleagues and students in the department: www.ucl.ac.uk/life-science...

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jun 4

We are proud to share that Professor Roberto Mayor FMedSci FRS, Professor of Developmental and Cellular Neurobiology in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at UCL, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, one of the highest honours in science. royalsociety.org/news/2026/05...

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· May 29

We’re delighted to share that Dr Vilaiwan Fernandes (UCL Cell & Developmental Biology) has been awarded a 2025 Lister Prize, one of the UK’s most prestigious honours for early-career biomedical researchers. Read more here: www.ucl.ac.uk/life-science...

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jan 22

We are currently seeking a Centre Assistant. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Centre for Integrative Anatomy where you will work closely alongside academic and research colleagues and assist them with day-to-day administrative tasks. For details and to apply: www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jun 23

Balancing a recent post on #wasps @uclgrantmuseum.bsky.social, now we mention #bees: Marius @didziokas.bsky.social designs custom #LEGO sets as a hobby, which, if enough support, will be made & offered for sale: beta.ideas.lego.com/product-idea... @ucl-c4ia.bsky.social - comments on #anatomy?!

Prototype LEGO bees and honeycomb showing 3 bees, each having a yellow body with black stripe, black, articulated legs, black antennae and mouth parts and amber wings. One bee (left, foreground) is on a clear plastic LEGO plinth; a second bee (left of centre) is facing away from us on the an upper hexagon of a 6-hexagon, amber LEGO honeycomb (shaped roughly in a Y-formation, tilted slightly to the right); and the 3rd been on the 'ground', facing left, to the right side of the 'honeycomb'. All against a yellow/amber background having feint hexagon watermarks all over. (phew!)

A bee made of LEGO modelling pieces, having a yellow body with black stripe, black, articulated legs, black antennae and mouth parts and amber wings. It is supported by a clear plastic LEGO plinth;

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jun 13

Our annual Postgraduate #Research (#PGR) #Student #Symposium is on Thurs,19th. There'll be 9 posters & 18 PGR speakers ending with CDB alumnus Prof Narender Ramnani, Professor of Neuroscience, @royalholloway.bsky.social, & President of the @britishneuro.bsky.social @uclnews.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jun 13

Many congratulations to Anna Franz, who has just accepted a proleptic appointment in CDB. Anna is a @wellcometrust.bsky.social & @royalsociety.org Sir Henry Dale Fellow, contributing: excellent #research on #fat cells, an UG module, public engagement, and input to @ucl.ac.uk #biosciences policy.

A head-and-shoulders photo of a smiling Anna Franz, a woman having mid-length, straightish, side-parted brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a bright mid-yellow jumper and silver dangly earrings

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· May 22

Our Patel lab published on Ca / #Parkinson’s disease, indicating a new pharmacological route to impede the disease. Funded by The Wellcome Trust & Parkinsons UK; collaborated with scientists from Brazil, York, KCL, California, Germany, India doi: 10.1083/jcb.202412055 @ucllifesciences.bsky.social

The Patel lab published on Ca++/#Parkinson’s disease, indicating a new #pharmacological route to impede the disease. Funded by @wellcometrust and @ParkinsonsUK; collaborated with scientists from Brazil, York, @ucl, #KCL, California, Germany, India doi: 10.1083/jcb.202412055

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Apr 4

Congratulations to our new Head of Research Department, Professor Sandip Patel, Professor in Cell Signalling and previously (since Jan 2020) Deputy Head of the department. He replaces the excellent Professor Barbara Conradt, who led us for c. 6y. @ucllifesciences.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk

Photo of head and shoulders of Sandip Patel, wearing a dark T shirt, against a cream background

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Apr 3

Congratulations to our Roberto Mayor and Saverio Tedesco, who attended UCL's annual celebration of honours. Robert was awarded Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences and Saverio gained Fellowship of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. @ucl.ac.uk @ucllifesciences.bsky.social

Two men, each holding a glass partly full of wine or champagne, standing together in a modern, partitioned room with other people and offices in the background. They are smiling, dress smartly and wearing their passes on black ribbons hanging around their necks

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Mar 31

Barbara Conradt has stepped down as our Head after years of excellent leadership. We are now in a great position to expand and meet new challenges. From tomorrow, Sandip Patel will take the helm; we wish him well & our full support. @ucl-c4ia.bsky.social @ucllifesciences.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk

A colour photo of Barbara Conradt, from sternum to top of head, wearing a navy-large-spotted white dress and curved, light brown-framed spectacles, giving a presentation (not visible).

A black & white photo of Sandip Patel from sternum to head, wearing a white T shirt with a darker top over it and dark-rimmed, narrow rectangular glasses.

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Feb 3

Prof Giles Hardingham of Edinburgh University will talk to us on Thursday about 'Neuro-glial interactions in #health and #disease'. This talk is part of our CDB #Seminar Series and will be hosted by Prof Patricia Salinas. #brain @ucllifesciences.bsky.social @ucl-c4ia.bsky.social #neurodegernative

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jan 22

We are looking forward to our annual #symposium next month and hearing our keynote speaker, Brandon Kilbourne, on #mammalian #locomotor systems. Thank you to The Anatomical Society and @the-node.bsky.social for their grants, enabling Brandon to travel and be here in person. #Anatomy @ucl.ac.uk

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jan 14

Postdoc #research job open in UCL CDB's Barrios lab [www.barrioslab.org] to work on answering: How do #memories become #behaviour? More info/apply here: tinyurl.com/Barrios-job. Supported by BBSRC. Questions to: a.barrios@ucl.ac.uk #memory #biology @ucl.ac.uk @UCLlifesciences

Diagram in three sections: on the left and odour gradient with aversely, sexually and mock-conditioned subjects plotted; and on the right, two models of aversive and appetitive memory

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Jan 2

UCL CDB members: get ready for our traditional CDB New Year Celebration on Wednesday, 22 January 2025, from 17:00! Refreshments will be served in the Haldane Room, ground floor Anatomy Building. The party will follow our CDB All Staff and PhD Student meeting. Happy new year! @UCL

An image of gold and colourful presents, baubles and 'star bursts' on a dark grey background, with the legend (in various colours) Happy New Year 2025 superimposed

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Dec 19

UCL ranks 1st in UK, 3rd in Europe and 5th globally in QS #Sustainability Rankings - we're proud to be part of this! With an overall score of 98.6 out of 100, the rankings highlight UCL’s leadership in addressing #environmental, social and governance (#esg) challenges. @uclofficial.bsky.social

Close-up photo of two differently-looking students sitting at a round table looking at a laptop outdoors in the quad of UCL with the main building behind

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Dec 11

Our researchers, in a paper just published in Nature Comms, offer new insights into how different #cell types are generated during animal development, which in future could help to solve some #autoimmunity, #cancer and #developmental abnormalities. doi.org/10.1038/s414... @uclofficial.bsky.social

Diagrammatic illustration of the description in the paper's text, showing that, using the nematode C. elegans as a model, the authors focused on asymmetrically dividing mother cells, where one daughter cell dies (‘cell death’ fate) while the other daughter cell survives (‘cell survival’ fate). This presented them with an excellent paradigm to explore how cell fate decisions (death v survival) are made during asymmetric cell division.

They found that, when they reduced the function of CMG, the dying daughter cells wrongly acquired the fates of their sister cells and instead survived

UCL Research Department of Cell & Developmental Biology@ucl-cdb· Dec 11

Thank you for following us on bsky. We also recommend the UCL Centre of Integrative Anatomy's feed, here: bsky.app/profile/ucl-.... It's our specialist #interdisciplinary #research centre for every aspect of #anatomy - #comparative, #evolutionary, #developmental, #medical and #forensic