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Katie Pickup

@katiepickup.bsky.social
235 followers 342 following 26 posts

🧬 Reviews Editor @biologists.bsky.social 👩🏻‍🔬 PhD epigenetics & differentiation @uoe-igc.bsky.social Views my own | she/her

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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Alex Eve @amjeve.uk · 7h
If you're looking for a fun weekend read, I recommend @katiepickup.bsky.social's interview with the brilliant @nmoris.bsky.social in @dev-journal.bsky.social doi.org/10.1242/dev....
doi.org
Transitions in development – an interview with Naomi Moris
Naomi Moris is a group leader at the Francis Crick Institute in London, UK. Naomi's lab uses in vitro embryo models derived from stem cells to study the early stages of human development and understan...
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Development @dev-journal.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Pathway to Independence – an interview with Maëlle Bellec In this interview, Maëlle talks about her work on translation dynamics in development, her hopes for the programme and her career journey from vineyard to microscope. doi.org/10.1242/dev....
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The Company of Biologists @biologists.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Save the date - @dev-journal.bsky.social, @jcellsci.bsky.social and @dmmjournal.bsky.social are holding a meeting on #Metabolism 📅21 – 23 June 2027 📍St Mary’s Marylebone, London, UK Register your interest for #BiologistsMetabolism now www.biologists.com/meetings/met...
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
DMM Journal @dmmjournal.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Are you a PhD student interested in #SciComm, disease biology and publishing? Are you in the BBSRC DTP/PIPS or equivalent schemes where an internship forms part of the training? Join us as an intern and work with the DMM editorial team. Find out how to apply: www.biologists.com/about-us/wor...
biologists.com
Work for us
Explore career opportunities at The Company of Biologists. Join a team passionate about science, publishing and community support.
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Excited to attend @gensocuk.bsky.social RNA in physiology and disease in Newcastle next week! Please say hi if you want to know more about publishing in @jcellsci.bsky.social, @dmmjournal.bsky.social or @dev-journal.bsky.social, or about @biologists.bsky.social grants & sustainability initiatives
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
The Company of Biologists @biologists.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Deadline is 31 August to register for the Innovative Preclinical Models for Pediatric Cancer Research meeting, hosted by @dmmjournal.bsky.social. Hear talks from an outstanding line up of speakers and apply to present a poster. www.biologists.com/meetings/dmm...
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Raphaël Clément @raphclement.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
A developmental biologist's guide to mechanics, just out in Development! In which we learn about the three pillars of any mechanical model: forces, mechanical properties, and boundary conditions. @pflenne.bsky.social @alessandrochppr.bsky.social @caojialing1002.bsky.social @dev-journal.bsky.social
journals.biologists.com
A developmental biologist's guide to mechanics
Summary: A guide to mechanics in development: unlock how forces, material properties and geometry shape the forms of life.
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Seema Grewal @seemagrewal.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Join the @jcellsci.bsky.social team! We’re looking for a Reviews Editor to join our editorial team. Details below 👇 Application deadline: 3 September
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Calling all PhD students looking for a PIPS internship! We have a great #SciComm /editorial internship opportunity with @dmmjournal.bsky.social. It will involve writing paper highlights, interviewing researchers, planning a new article series and writing web & social media content. Please share!
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
DMM Journal @dmmjournal.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Are you a PhD student interested in #SciComm, disease biology and publishing? DMM is seeking an intern through BBSRC DTP/PIPS or equivalent schemes Find out about how to apply: www.biologists.com/about-us/wor...
biologists.com
Work for us
Explore career opportunities at The Company of Biologists. Join a team passionate about science, publishing and community support.
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Journal of Cell Science @jcellsci.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Our 'Cell Science at a Glance' articles are short primers that act as an introduction to an area of cell biology. Perfect if you're new to a field, or want to find out the latest on a particular topic. Check out the full list at: tinyurl.com/4c8e8m97 #cellbiology #community #notforprofit
A collage showing a selection of recent Cell Science at a Glance posters
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
The Company of Biologists @biologists.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
We are gathering feedback from our readers, authors and reviewers about the use of AI tools in scholarly publishing. Have your say at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZBFC663
Community survey: The role of AI tools in scholarly publishing — announcement from The Company of Biologists, showing five stylized people and three speech bubbles to represent community discussion.
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Andrea Murillo @andreamurillo.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
We all need a little nudge sometimes when it comes to writing. The Node is hosting a great writing challenge to help beat that dreaded writing procrastination. I cannot wait to read the community's entries and there is a chance to win £200!
static.klipy.com
Focused Writing Session Animation
ALT: Focused Writing Session Animation
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Maria Bohnert Lab @bohnertlab.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Our @jcellsci.bsky.social poster article “The nucleus-vacuole junction at a glance” is out! Big thanks to @abbybuch.bsky.social and @luskinglab.bsky.social for organizing an amazing special issue “Cell biology of the nucleus”. #ContactSites journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
journals.biologists.com
The nucleus–vacuole junction at a glance
Summary: The nucleus–vacuole junction is a prominent contact site linking the nuclear ER and the yeast vacuole. We highlight the physiological implications and metabolic plasticity of this unique orga...
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Nucleus enthusiasts - check out JCS's latest special issue! 🧬 journals.biologists.com/jcs/issue/13... Featuring research, review-type articles and interviews on all things nuclear biology, from chromatin and gene expression to shape, mechanics, membranes and pores!
journals.biologists.com
Volume 139 Issue 12 | Journal of Cell Science | The Company of Biologists
Journal of Cell Science publishes cutting-edge science encompassing all aspects of cell biology. It is published by The Company of Biologists, a not-for-profit organisation.
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Dr Zeinab Rekad 🔬🧬🧪 @zeinabrekad.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Alright, I am pausing my social media break to share with you the final review of my PhD erra (times fly by 🥲). Featuring 2 of my favorite science fields: #RNAbiology and #celladhesion 😍. Also a fantastic collab with one of my top #women_in_sci role models: Stavroula Mili 💙
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Mu He @mh-lab.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Thanks @jcellsci.bsky.social and @katiepickup.bsky.social for the opportunity! It was fun to reflect on the years I spent in different labs and institutes.
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Dave Barry @david-j-barry.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
In the latest issue of @jcellsci.bsky.social, with @lankylaste.bsky.social, Lina Gerontogianni and Gavin Kelly at @crick.ac.uk, a reanalysis of images from the IDR to answer the age-old question: How do you tell statistical significance from biological significance? doi.org/10.1242/jcs....
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Journal of Cell Science @jcellsci.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
JCS congratulates our Editor-in-Chief Michael Way @drmichaelway.bsky.social on his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences. royalsociety.org/news/2026/05...
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Andrea Murillo @andreamurillo.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
When the weather gets hot, @biologists.bsky.social front section teams need an iced beverage ASAP! 👀🧊☕️
5 front section editors looking happy after getting 5 iced drinks.
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preLights @prelights.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
ASCL1 can’t always make neurons alone… In this 2‑minute #Short, jethrolb.bsky.social explains how chromatin priming and co‑factors shape cell fate decisions in embryonic stem cells. #StemCells #DevBio www.youtube.com/shorts/UB2es...
youtube.com
spotLights Ep 20: Jethro on pioneer factors & neuronal lineage specification #science #biology
YouTube video by The Company of Biologists
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
the Node @the-node.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Next, @ingridtsang.bsky.social chronicles a day in the life of a Reviews Editor (including must-have snacks!) thenode.biologists.com/a-day-in-the...
thenode.biologists.com
A day in the life of a Reviews Editor (at Development) - the Node
Ingrid Tsang gives us a glimpse of what a day in the life of a Reviews Editor is like.
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
the Node @the-node.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Have you ever been curious about what Reviews Editors do? For your #WeekendRead, we have 2 special blog posts from @dev-journal.bsky.social Reviews Editors. @saanjbati.bsky.social answers a frequently asked question: “What exactly does a Reviews Editor do?” thenode.biologists.com/what-does-a-...
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Elias Friman @eliasfriman.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Is distal gene activation by enhancers inherently different from promoter-proximal activation? We propose not. But both cohesin and cooperativity are important aspects of how transcription is affected. Happy to share our recent preprint (thread below) 1/ www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Journal of Cell Science @jcellsci.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
In their Cell Science at a Glance article and poster, Kim Chi Thi Vu, Laura Bierau and Eva Herker evaherker.bsky.social unimarburg.bsky.social discuss the pro- and anti-viral functions of lipid droplets in infection. journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
JCS Cell Science at a Glance poster - Pro- and anti-viral functions of lipid droplets in infection at a glance by Kim Chi Thi Vu, Laura Bierau, Eva Herker
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
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 👍
crick.ac.uk
Crick Crash Course: Embryo development
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Marintia Nava-García @marintianava.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Beyond proteins and DNA, #lipids are emerging as key players in nuclear biology - shaping nuclear envelope dynamics, mechanosensing, gene regulation and genome stability. Our new Perspective highlights recent advances, open questions, and future directions 👉 journals.biologists.com/jcs/article/...
journals.biologists.com
Emerging roles of lipids in nuclear function and homeostasis
Summary: Lipids are increasingly recognized as essential regulators of nuclear homeostasis, membrane dynamics, mechanotransduction and genome stability, opening new frontiers for understanding nuclear...
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
It was a pleasure to speak to @harmitmalik.bsky.social and feels very hopeful to have people like him as leaders in science journals.biologists.com/dmm/article/...
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
Harmit Singh Malik @harmitmalik.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
I was interviewed by @katiepickup.bsky.social recently for @dmmjournal.bsky.social. This has a little bit of my background, a little bit on science and mentoring, and a little bit (ok, more than a little bit) on funding in science. Check it out at: journals.biologists.com/dmm/article/...


How important do you feel discovery research and ‘basic’ science is for understanding disease?

Well, I have a little bit of a biased view on the topic, since I'm a basic scientist myself. The lab has made more and more discoveries with very strong therapeutic implications, and often people ask me why we are not pursuing these further ourselves. Part of it is that I think about this very much as an ecosystem. People have different skills – I have colleagues who are very good at the application side of things and I have other colleagues, including people in my lab, who are very good at the basic science. There are a lot of very smart people at every stage in the ecosystem and, sometimes, we have to acknowledge that we can't all be experts in every step. A lot of basic science discoveries will end up having profound implications in the clinic – if you don't have the full imagination about how to get it there, that's okay, because you're still a very important piece of the jigsaw puzzle and other people can help. If the basic science discoveries didn't exist, then it's quite possible that the well would run dry. We cannot simply rely on the idea that the therapies currently in clinical trials are going to be enough because we already know that – for diseases, such as cancer, and with rapidly evolving viruses – there needs to be a constant influx of new ideas to stay ahead of the arms race. I'd also make a plug for the fact that, ultimately, we are all interested in human disease, but disease research in humans is not ethical or possible. This is why creating and studying model organisms in a high-throughput, low-investment context is incredibly important. We cannot just say ‘okay, we're going to stop work on anything that is not related to human research’, because – actually – it's all relevant to humans.


Do you think basic science is particularly threatened by cuts to funding?

Science itself is quite uncertain. We do experiments wondering if they will even work. It's discovery, and you don't know where it's going to lead. It could lead to a billion-dollar company, something like mRNA vaccines or CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, or it could simply be something that interests you. Sometimes it might appear esoteric from the outside, but there are very smart people dedicated to this work. We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that most of this work is paid for by taxpayers, but funding uncertainty creates a very unstable foundation. If the foundations are weak, people are going to get much more conservative about the science that they're doing and worry that ‘blue-skies research’ is not worth pursuing because it won't get funded. And that would be a mistake because all innovation in science really originates from blue-skies, basic research. The second thing that uncertainty does is send a message to our young trainees – who are our future – that this is not a career option that will provide professional and personal stability. I worry that this kind of uncertainty will mean we lose an entire generation of people, and that would be a loss we might not be able to overcome.
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Excited to be heading to Paris next week for @embo.org Structure and Function of the #Cytoskeleton! Please say hi if you're around and want to chat about publishing, @jcellsci.bsky.social or any of @biologists.bsky.social grants and community initiatives! share.google/P4XMcNbsHnog...
share.google
Structure and Function of the Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton, a dynamic and intricate network of protein filaments, is found within the cytoplasm of all cells, from bacteria and archaea to complex eukaryotes. This essential cellular component …
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The Company of Biologists @biologists.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Are you attending @bsdb.bsky.social 2026: Molecules to Morphogenesis in Warwick this week? Visit our stand to complete our quick survey and be in with a chance of winning a special goodie bag.
Tote bag, lunch bag, travel mug, postcards, stickers, coaster, charging cable
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Development @dev-journal.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Transitions in development – an interview with Soumyashree Das We caught up with Soumyashree from @ncbsbangalore.bsky.social to talk about her research on vascular development and regeneration, and her experience establishing a new lab under pandemic conditions: doi.org/10.1242/dev....
Soumyashree Das
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DMM Journal @dmmjournal.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Celebrate #InternationalWomensDay with us and read interviews with women leaders in disease biology research: Peggy Goodell on stem cells and ageing in the blood: doi.org/10.1242/dmm.... Sadaf Farooqi on investigating the genetics underpinning obesity: doi.org/10.1242/dmm....
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Really interesting article about fracture in developing tissues. For a deep dive into examples across species, you can also check out @rashmi-priya.bsky.social and @torres-sanchez.bsky.social's recent Review in Development @dev-journal.bsky.social ⬇️ journals.biologists.com/dev/article/...
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Excited to be returning to Banff next week for @keystonesymposia.bsky.social Ubiquitin Family in Biology & Disease #KSUbiquitin26 🏔️❄️ Please come and chat to learn more about our not for profit journals @jcellsci.bsky.social and @dmmjournal.bsky.social or @biologists.bsky.social initiatives!
A photograph of mountains and a valley taken from Tunnel Mountain in the town of Banff, Canada
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Rashmi Priya @rashmi-priya.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Our latest with @torres-sanchez.bsky.social journals.biologists.com/dev/article-... Breaking isn’t always a bad thing! Think of birth, seed release... We highlight how living tissue not only tolerates fractures but actively fracture to grow, shape, reproduce, or adapt – across species and scales.
journals.biologists.com
Break to build: fracture as a unifying morphogenetic strategy
Summary: This Review presents mechanical fracture as a unifying morphogenetic strategy and describes how developmental systems actively exploit mechanical fracture to drive morphogenesis, reproduction...
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niveditamj.bsky.social @niveditamj.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
My UK visit kicked off with deeply stimulating science at the @biologists.bsky.social workshop on Whole Genome Doubling. Check out more in our recent post on @the-node.bsky.social. Many thanks to @mateusolisboa.bsky.social and @katiepickup.bsky.social! thenode.biologists.com/decoding-who...
thenode.biologists.com
Whole-Genome Doubling and Polyploidy: Cells, Cancer, and Evolution
Discover how whole-genome doubling and polyploidy drive cellular adaptations, shape cancer progression, and fuel evolutionary innovation across species.
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Read this article to hear from a mix of researchers about some really cool ways cell biology can be used to fight the climate crisis! Inspiration came from the fantastic @cells4planethealth.bsky.social EMBO Workshop in April last year
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Do have a read of this call to action from a fantastic bunch of ECRs working in the cell biology-climate space @cells4planethealth.bsky.social It's full of lots of important ideas to support future research and researchers who want to use cell biology to help reach a more sustainable future
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
I really enjoyed talking to Peggy - it was great to revisit the world of DNA methylation and stem cells as well as learn more about the blood and ageing 🩸
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The Company of Biologists @biologists.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Journal of Cell Science @jcellsci.bsky.social is recruiting an enthusiastic and motivated Reviews Editor. An exciting opportunity for a talented scientific editor to make a contribution to an important journal in the field of #cellbiology. Deadline 2 Feb. More at: www.biologists.com/about-us/wor...
biologists.com
Work for us
Working for us We’re always looking for talented and motivated people to work as part of our close-knit team. Roles range from editorial to production, marketing to event co-ordination, HR to accounts...
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The Company of Biologists @biologists.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Last but certainly not least, our final extraordinary biologist featured is Saanjbati Adhikari, a @dev-journal.bsky.social Reviews Editor, a Cross-Title Features Editor for our 100-year anniversary and a former preLighter @prelights.bsky.social. #100biologists
Headshot of Saanjbati Adhikari, to the left, text to the right
 
100 extraordinary biologists

Saanjbati Adhikari

Saanjbati Adhikari is a Development Reviews Editor and previously a Cross-Title Features Editor across our journals for the Company’s 100-year anniversary. Saanjbati started as a preLighter during her PhD at Queen Mary University of London, UK, where she investigated the molecular characterisation of Astrin.


#100biologists #biologists100
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
The dangers of PFAS #ForeverChemicals are becoming increasingly apparent - check out @dmmjournal.bsky.social's new special focus for some great articles from experts in this area about what we know so far and how we can better understand the health risks share.google/RKcShIEkYFjS...
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Reposted by Katie Pickup
The Company of Biologists @biologists.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
We are also highlighting Claire Moulton, previously our Publisher and @biologists.bsky.social's first ever CEO, who led the creation of The Forest of Biologists, as an extraordinary biologist this week. #100biologists
The Company of Biologists 100 logo to the left and QR code to the right.
 
Cartoon depiction of Claire Moulton, to the left, text to the right
 
100 extraordinary biologists

Claire Moulton

Claire Moulton, previously our Publisher, is the Company’s first ever Chief Executive Officer. Claire is responsible for setting the Company’s strategic plan, championing quality publishing and community support. Claire led the creation of The Forest of Biologists, now in its fourth year, as a biopositive publishing initiative.


#100biologists #biologists100
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Development @dev-journal.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Apply for our Pathway to Independence (PI) programme, supporting postdocs in #devbio and #stemcell research during the transition to their first group leader position: www.biologists.com/grants/devel... Application deadline: 2 February 2026.
Pathway to Independence
Support postdocs on the job market
Line drawing of a person at a bench transitioning to working at a desk
Development
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
It was lovely speaking to @harmitmalik.bsky.social for @dmmjournal.bsky.social Infectious Disease Special Issue. We chatted about his work on host-viral evolution, the importance of blue-skies research and his approach to creating a supportive lab environment journals.biologists.com/dmm/article/...
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The Company of Biologists @biologists.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
We are highlighting Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey, UK, who also delivered a plenary lecture at the Biologists @ 100 conference, as an extraordinary biologist. #100biologists @bas.ac.uk
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The Company of Biologists @biologists.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
1925: On this date, 100 years ago, The Company of Biologists is founded by George Parker Bidder III. Throughout today, we will be posting some of our key milestones. Read more about the past 100 years at bit.ly/3WnTVA1.
Poster of the 100-year history of The Company of Biologists.
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Katie Pickup @katiepickup.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Excited to be in beautiful Bilbao for @helloeacr.bsky.social Cancer Neuroscience this week on behalf of @dmmjournal.bsky.social. Looking forward to learning more about interactions between tumours and the nervous system #EACR
Photo of the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao in golden morning light with red autumn trees in the background. Photo of red autumn trees in front of a building reflected in the river.
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Kara McKinley @karalmckinley.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Lab’s 1st preprint! Menstruation is understudied due to societal taboos + a biological challenge: mice (a key system for research + drug discovery) don’t menstruate. @cagricevrim.bsky.social made menstruating mice + used them to discover early events in menstruation. He is on the job market!
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