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Naomi Moris

@nmoris.bsky.social
911 followers 294 following 40 posts

Group Leader @theCrick 🧬 Studying human embryo models to better understand development (she/her)

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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
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-...
crick.ac.uk
PACE postdoctoral fellowships
Supporting ambitious researchers to develop collaborative research projects with our university partners.
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
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.uk
PhD student recruitment
PhD recruitment information.
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Reposted by Naomi Moris
Melanie D. White @melaniedwhite.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
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.com
This award-winning microscopy image used AI — igniting controversy in a prestigious competition
Researchers say that using artificial-intelligence tools to visualize scientific images can become problematic when models misrepresent the underlying data.
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
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 💪
lister-institute.org.uk
Lister Institute | News | Our Lister Prize Winners for 2026
Eight exceptional early-career researchers become Lister Research Fellows and join our community of biomedical research pioneers and leaders.
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
The term 'stem cell-based embryo models' was used in the UK House of Lords today... 😱
Screenshot from the parliament live.tv player streaming the House of Lords debate, showing Baroness Deech discussing reform of the HFEA.
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
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
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
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!
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
"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."
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
BLAST(oid) OFF! Embryo models head into space… 🚀 www.globaltimes.cn/page/202605/...
globaltimes.cn
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Journal club today included some interesting examples of homeotic and meristic transformations…! 😆
PowerPoint slide showing pictures from the Met Gala 2026, showing an outfit with an additional set of arms and one with a rib and vertebrae pattern
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Thanks Phil! I hope so! 🙏
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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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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
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]
rdcu.be
A guide to using embedded ethics in human stem-cell-based embryo model research
Nature 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...
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
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]
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
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]
Table outlining the features and considerations that we propose should be considered in SCBEM research
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
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]
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
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]
rdcu.be
Morally relevant features warranting ethical oversight in human stem cell-based embryo models
Nature 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...
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Reposted by Naomi Moris
Sally Lowell @cellysally.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
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 👏
Pictures of james briscoe, one avec mullet
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
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
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
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
A confocal image of a 3D human Trunk-like Structure (hTLS) made from pluripotent stem cells, showing a neural tube (cyan) and segmented somites (magenta).
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
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! ⭐️
Komal Makwana (Postdoc in the Moris lab) wears purple and holds the December 2025 issue of Nature Cell Biology with a purple image of an hTLS on the cover)
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
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 👍
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Reposted by Naomi Moris
The Francis Crick Institute @crick.ac.uk · 16/12/2025
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.uk
Uncovering early embryonic communications using new stem cell model
New 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.
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
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...
nature.com
Modelling co-development between the somites and neural tube in human trunk-like structures - Nature Cell Biology
Makwana, 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.
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
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
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
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...
lnk.to
What 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...
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
The Crick is looking for new junior group leaders! Any postdocs or early career researchers wanting to be our colleagues should apply 👍
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
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...
crick.ac.uk
Moris Lab | Investigating human trunk development using stem cell-based embryo models
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Well done for writing this Bethan! A really interesting read and some important points here on how we can all do better. 👏
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
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! 💕
A PowerPoint slide with a gastruloid on a mosaic tile backgroundPhoto of the inside of Gaudi’s La Pedera building with decorative railings and mosaic painted wallsNaomi Moris hugs Meena ChakrabutyAlfonso Martinez Arias giving a closing speech at dinner
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
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
crick.ac.uk
A Question of Science | What's the future of fertility?
A new podcast produced for the Crick by BBC Studios Science Unit.
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Thanks @cellysally.bsky.social ! It's shaping up to be a great meeting (no pun intended...) so I'm looking forward to it ☺️
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Congrats Ina! Very well deserved, and so lovely to read your interview in the attached link 👏 hope you're celebrating well! 🍾
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
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/...
nytimes.com
Opinion | 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?
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
🧫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...
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Richard Behringer @rrbehringer.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Here is the 2025 embryo alphabet from alligator to zebrafish. Developmental biology is stunning & leads to important discoveries for human medicine. @socdevbio.bsky.social
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
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
science.org
Systematic identification of Y-chromosome gene functions in mouse spermatogenesis
The 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...
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
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)
biorxiv.org
Modelling 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...
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
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)
Signalling schematic in a cross section of the embryo (left) and a cross-section of the hTLS structures (right)
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
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)
Localisation of gene expression within somites including UNCX (blue) located posteriorly and ALDH1A2 (magenta) which is next to the neural tube (pale pink)
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
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)
Axis generation across the neural tube located adjacent to the somites
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
hTLS show self-organised wavefront signalling and oscillations to form somites; Neuromesodermal progenitors support elongation and become depleted over time; HOX genes show we’re at thoracic/lumbar regions… (3/7)
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
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)
Confocal images of hTLS models showing epithelial structures in the somites and neural tube
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Naomi Moris @nmoris.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
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)
Scanning electron microscope image of a human trunk-like structure (left) and human embryo (right) false coloured for somites (magenta) and neural tube (gold).
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Reposted by Naomi Moris
Alexis Barr @alexisbarr.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
@mrc-lms.bsky.social is hiring! Are you looking to start your own research group? Come & join us! Fantastic research, wonderful facilities & super supportive colleagues. Deadline 13th Jan. Get on it! lms.mrc.ac.uk/work/vacanci...
lms.mrc.ac.uk
Programme Leader Track - MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences
Programme Leader Track appointments are an open-ended contract, which comprises a six-year advanced career development scheme after which you will be considered for promotion to Programme Leader.
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Reposted by Naomi Moris
FMI science @fmiscience.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
📣 Please share: We’re hiring a tenure-track Group Leader in Multicellular Systems to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving the formation, maintenance, or destabilization of tissues, organs and organisms. Apply at: www.fmi.ch/education-ca...
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Levayer Lab @levayerr.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
For the dev bio crowd : there is a call for junior group leader at Institut Pasteur in Paris and one of the axis covered is related to development. Come and join us in this exciting place and become one of our colleague @devstempasteur.bsky.social Please RT !! research.pasteur.fr/fr/call/call...
research.pasteur.fr
Call for applications 2025 – Creation of new research groups at the Institut Pasteur | Research - Institut Pasteur
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