Gust Bilcke @gustbilcke.bsky.social · 02/09/2026When I started my postdoc, only 10 genomes were available for an estimated 100,000 species of diatoms. To fill this gap, we present the 100 Diatom Genomes Project, out now in PLOS Biology. Analyzing the first assemblies suggests that we will double the diatom gene space by the end of the project! 📈 0317
Gust Bilcke @gustbilcke.bsky.social · 27/03/2026In our new pre-print, we established massive single-cell RNA-sequencing for diatoms to investigate key cell fate transitions. Notably, we discovered that the diploid-to-haploid transition is regulated by Myb TFs, a process that is actively ongoing across the Global Ocean! 🌊 63922
Reposted by Gust BilckeGautam Dey @gautamdey.bsky.social · 19/12/2025Thanks @jcellsci.bsky.social for this opportunity to contribute to your centenary collection with our take on the state of the field - 10 years after its modern reincarnation 🧪🌍 W/ @alebenoit.bsky.social @eelcotromer.bsky.social @fritzlaylin.bsky.social journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...journals.biologists.comEvolutionary cell biology comes of ageSummary: This Perspective discusses how the discipline of evolutionary cell biology, by integrating evolutionary theory, comparative physiology and modern molecular approaches, works to understand how... 08233
Gust Bilcke @gustbilcke.bsky.social · 18/11/2025In our latest, we tackle a long-standing conundrum: when and where do diatoms reproduce sexually? Using a lab-to-field strategy, we designed conserved sex markers applied to microcosms & Tara Oceans metatranscriptomes, revealing widespread sex in the global ocean. Read all about it now in NatComm:nature.comConserved genetic markers reveal widespread diatom sexual reproduction in the global ocean - Nature CommunicationsDiatoms dominate the oceans, yet sexual reproduction - key to bloom dynamics and species evolvability - is rarely observed. Using a lab-to-field approach, this study presents conserved markers applica... 152
Gust Bilcke @gustbilcke.bsky.social · 01/07/2025Looking back on last week's Molecular Life of Diatoms conference 🌊. Honored to be hosting this tight-knit, creative and collaborative community in Ghent! Topics ranged from single-cell approaches, imaging breakthroughs, new insights into photosynthesis and symbioses etc. #protistsOnSky #MLD8 1182
Gust Bilcke @gustbilcke.bsky.social · 26/06/2025In the last talk of the #MLD8 conference, Peter Kroth gave an excellent overview of recent advances on diatom transcription factors, and how they regulate surface adhesion and light sensing 🧬👋 030
Reposted by Gust BilckeWill Ratcliff @wcratcliff.bsky.social · 24/06/20251/27 We have a new paper out! Turns out that snowflake yeast have been hiding a secret from us - they've evolved a (very!) crude circulatory system. Not with blood vessels or a heart, but through spontaneous fluid flows powered by their metabolism. 🧪🔬 www.science.org/doi/full/10.... 14356146
Reposted by Gust BilckeSarah Smith @smith8272.bsky.social · 24/06/2025Using sexual reproduction markers identified from scRNA data, Arthur Cleyman developed new tools to transform Cylindrotheca closterium and make “pheromone sensing” lines. Cool 😎 #MLD8 @gustbilcke.bsky.social 043
Reposted by Gust BilckeSarah Smith @smith8272.bsky.social · 24/06/2025Single-cell RNA sequencing of two diatom species shows clear patterns of expression during sexual reproduction, shedding light on the mechanisms involved. Great student talk by Nadine Rijsdjik @ #MLD8 @gustbilcke.bsky.social 031
Reposted by Gust BilckeSarah Smith @smith8272.bsky.social · 24/06/2025The design and synthesis of whole synthetic chromosomes (and yes, for diatoms) is now possible. The future is here. (Bogumil Karas @ #MLD8) 061
Reposted by Gust BilckeSarah Smith @smith8272.bsky.social · 23/06/2025Predators come along and crunch off the apex/long axial spines of pennate diatoms (!). Sometimes it’s catastrophic for the diatom, but they’re often totally resilient and can divide again after two days. Eventually the shape is restored. Darja Belisová at #MLD8 131
Reposted by Gust BilckeSarah Smith @smith8272.bsky.social · 23/06/2025Day 1 of #MLD8 - with an amazing talk by @nic-poulsen.bsky.social on diatom adhesion and motility, describing proteins found in diatom glue @mldiatoms.bsky.social 062
Gust Bilcke @gustbilcke.bsky.social · 05/05/2025Only few days to register with an early bird discount for the famous Molecular Life of Diatoms conference, coming to beautiful historic Ghent, Belgium in June! 🏰 🦠 020
Reposted by Gust BilckeVardilab @vardilab.bsky.social · 24/04/2025📣 We are excited to share our latest paper about Cathepsin X, a new algal cell death gene, led by @aviamizrachi.bsky.social and @maisadeh.bsky.social, published in Current Biology @currentbiology.bsky.social www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... 1/3 >>sciencedirect.comCathepsin X is a conserved cell death protein involved in algal response to environmental stressPhytoplankton are responsible for half of the global photosynthesis and form vast blooms in aquatic ecosystems. Bloom demise fuels marine microbial li… 1127
Reposted by Gust BilckeVandepoele lab @vandepoelelab.bsky.social · 22/04/2025The abstract submission deadline for the 8th edition of the Molecular Life of Diatoms conference has been extended: the new deadline is 27th of April 2025. Don’t miss a chance to present your breakthrough research! www.vibconferences.be/events/molec... 022
Reposted by Gust BilckeVandepoele lab @vandepoelelab.bsky.social · 17/03/2025#diatoms #genomics #resources DiatOmicBase: a versatile gene-centered platform for mining functional omics data in diatom research @theplantjournal.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... joint work with @afalciat.bsky.socialonlinelibrary.wiley.comDiatOmicBase: a versatile gene‐centered platform for mining functional omics data in diatom researchIn recent years, diatoms have become the subject of increasing interest because of their ecological importance and their biotechnological potential for natural products such as pigments and polyunsat... 0188
Reposted by Gust BilckeFlora Vincent @floravincent.bsky.social · 20/02/2025THE conference of diatom molecular and cell bio is happening in Ghent this year ! Make sure to submit an abstract ! Flora 0108
Reposted by Gust BilckeMLDiatoms.bsky.social @mldiatoms.bsky.social · 17/02/2025Want to share your latest breakthroughs on the molecular biology of diatoms? Join us at the Molecular Life of Diatoms conference from 22-26 June 2025 in beautiful historical Ghent, Belgium! Secure your spot here: vibconferences.be/events/molecular-life-of-diatoms-8 #MLD8vibconferences.beMolecular Life of Diatoms 822-26 June 2025, Ghent, Belgium 032
Gust Bilcke @gustbilcke.bsky.social · 10/12/2024Proud to share our latest work, out in @newphyt.bsky.social, where we use single-cell #microsurgery to investigate the molecular fingerprints of size-dependent sexual maturation in diatoms 🔥 (1/n) nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... 1108
Gust Bilcke @gustbilcke.bsky.social · 07/03/2024Happy to see that our study on the gene expression behind salinity-induced morphological changes in Pleurosira laevis is now published in Journal of Phycology. Very pleasant collab lead by the Shinya Sato lab. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... 030