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Sara MaciasRNA

@saramaciasrna.bsky.social
792 followers 667 following 36 posts

Molecular biologist | Wellcome Trust Senior Fellow | antiviral defence | RNA processing | interferons | transposable elements | small RNAs | embryonic development Free Palestine 🍉

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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Congratulations to Joanna Wojtus from our group for best poster presentation @gensocuk.bsky.social meeting! Well done Jo 🌻
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Genetics Society UK @gensocuk.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Next is Sara Macias talking about the role of double-stranded RNA in development and immunity
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Guillermo Peris 🧬💻 @waltzingpiglet.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
🔴🧬 New paper out in @natcomms.nature.com! DICER1 mutations don't just silence the wrong genes; they also wake up ancient viral DNA sleeping in our genome. Collaboration between the @saramaciasrna.bsky.social lab and our group, led by @herassr.bsky.social 🧵👇 #TEsky www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Thanks to my wonderful team for the birthday presents 🤍 and the Guinness/cocoa cake 🍰
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Genetics Society UK @gensocuk.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Abstract deadline is TODAY! Make sure you submit your abstract and join us in Newcastle for a fantastic meeting on RNA in physiology and disease. genetics.org.uk/events/rna-i...
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Martin Turner @martint-babraham.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
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Cedric Feschotte @cedricfeschotte.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
📣 POSTDOC position available in the Feschotte Lab at Cornell to work on #TRANSPOSONS! More details below. Pls send informal application or inquiry ASAP by DM or email to cf458_at_cornell.edu. Pls spread the word 🙏 #TEsky www.thefeschottelabatcornell.com
thefeschottelabatcornell.com
The Feschotte Lab at Cornell
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Speaking about miRNAs and disease for the first 22q11.2 syndrome meeting in Andalucia, Spain canal.ugr.es/noticia/i-jo...
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
At the 1st meeting of 22q11.2 syndrome in Andalucia. An honour to have been invited to contribute. Looking forward to the discussion Thanks to @herassr.bsky.social @aula22andalucia
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Our last manuscript is out! 🚨 We identify double stranded RNAs in embryonic stem cells - full of transposons, especially young LINEs and LTRs 🧐 🧬Happy Friday Reading🧬
biorxiv.org
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Guillermo Peris 🧬💻 @waltzingpiglet.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Ahora que tengo un poco más de tiempo voy a intentar explicar los resultados del último artículo de nuestro grupo de investigación, en el que intentamos responder a la siguiente pregunta: ¿Cómo evitan nuestras células que su propio ARN active una alarma inmunológica? 🧬⚠️ (1/25)
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Sara R Heras @herassr.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Graphical abstract from our new paper in Nucleic Acids Research with @saramaciasrna.bsky.social 🧬 DGCR8 prevents accumulation of endogenous dsRNA derived from Alu elements within mRNAs, avoiding aberrant activation of the interferon response. academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
academic.oup.com
Control of retrotransposon-driven activation of the interferon response by the double-stranded RNA binding protein DGCR8
Abstract. The type I interferon (IFN) response is the main innate immune pathway against viruses in mammals. This pathway must be tightly regulated to prev
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
A great collaboration of my group with @herassr.bsky.social and @heick.bsky.social groups searching for mammalian dsRNAs and their importance to human disease 🧬
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Ana Gázquez-Gutiérrez @anagazquezg.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
I'm so happy to share our latest paper! Now out in @narjournal.bsky.social 🥳 Did you know that transposable elements embedded in mRNAs can form dsRNA and activate innate immunity? 🧬🦠 Have a look! academic.oup.com/nar/article/... #TEsky #RNAsky #RNAbiology #immunity #NAR
academic.oup.com
Control of retrotransposon-driven activation of the interferon response by the double-stranded RNA binding protein DGCR8
Abstract. The type I interferon (IFN) response is the main innate immune pathway against viruses in mammals. This pathway must be tightly regulated to prev
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Genetics Society UK @gensocuk.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Registrations are now OPEN! Join us in Newcastle for the “RNA in Physiology and Disease” conference, an international meeting bringing together world-leading RNA biologists and emerging researchers. Early bird deadline: 1 May Abstract deadline: 30 June Register now: genetics.org.uk/events/rna-i...
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Kirsty Grainger @kirstygrainger.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Some initial reactions to the 'published on a Sunday afternoon' letter from the CEO of UKRI. 🧵 www.ukri.org/news/open-le...
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Ian Sudbery @iansudbery.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
We need to be shouting about the effects of this on junior researchers from the roofs, writing to our MPs. We are risking a "missing generation" of researchers.
Text reads:

This would likely end the careers of hundreds of postdocs across the country, they added, highlighting that the suspensions alone will "tank" the postdoc market by the end of the summer and into next year.
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Pawel Grzechnik @grzechnikpawel.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Have a look at this fantastic meeting and save the date! The “RNA in Physiology and Disease” conference, hosted by @gensocuk.bsky.social, will take place 7–9 September 2026 in Newcastle, UK. genetics.org.uk/events/rna-i...
genetics.org.uk
RNA in physiology and disease | Genetics Society
Meeting background RNA molecules are at the heart of normal physiological processes, and their dysregulation can drive a wide range of human diseases. This international meeting will bring together wo...
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Amazing talk by Kat Gordon in our group on Dicer I syndrome. Picture contains the leading ‘heads’ of the RNA field in the UK Dimitris Lagos, Nick Proudfoot and Alena Shkumatava #RNAUK26
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Happy to share with you our work on how the interferon response impacts embryonic development 🦠Mammalian embryos contain endogenous dsRNAs that resemble viruses and can be misrecognised by the dsRNA sensor MDA5. Thanks to all collaborators, we could not have done it without you 🤩 rdcu.be/eWMfA
rdcu.be
Double stranded RNA sensing is silenced during early embryonic development
Nature Communications - The type I interferon response is suppressed during early development, making embryos susceptible to pathogens. Here, the authors show that this suppression contributes to...
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bioRxiv Molecular Biology @biorxiv-molbio.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
DICER1 syndrome mutations lead to a gain of 3p-miRNA function, HERVH activity and increased metastatic potential www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/20…
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Guillermo Peris 🧬💻 @waltzingpiglet.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
🔴 New preprint on bioRxiv! We find that cancer-associated DICER1 hotspot mutations disrupt miRNA biogenesis, causing loss of 5p miRNAs and increase 3p strands loading into AGO2. This results in a change in metastatic potential and HERVH upregulation.
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Guillermo Peris 🧬💻 @waltzingpiglet.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Here is the link to the paper in @biorxiv-molbio.bsky.social. Very grateful for this collaboration with @saramaciasrna.bsky.social's group. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
DICER1 syndrome mutations lead to a gain of 3p-miRNA function, HERVH activity and increased metastatic potential
The DICER1 gene is mutated in cancer, including DICER1 syndrome, a rare tumour predisposition syndrome. Cancer-associated hotspot mutations have been reported in both catalytic domains of DICER1 and a...
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Waggoner Lab @labwaggoner.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Double stranded RNA sensing is silenced during early embryonic development @natcomms.nature.com @edinburghup.bsky.social www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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Kurianlab @kurianlab.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
An RNA splicing system that excises DNA transposons from animal mRNAs - Nature
A new type of mRNA splicing mechanism discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans that detects and removes inverted repeats also occurs in human cells, thereby providing another strategy to protect against t...
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
In our last preprint we identify endogenous dsRNAs capable of activating the interferon response. Could these be relevant to our understanding of DiGeorge syndrome (22qDS)? In collaboration with @herassr.bsky.social and @heick.bsky.social labs www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
Control of retrotransposon-driven activation of the interferon response by the double-stranded RNA binding protein DGCR8
The type I interferon (IFN) response is the main innate immune pathway against viruses in mammals. This pathway must be tightly regulated to prevent viral spread while avoiding excessive immune respon...
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William Garland @willgarland.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Happy to have played a small part in this new preprint on DGCR8, retrotransposons, and IFN regulation. Nice collaboration with @saramaciasrna.bsky.social @herassr.bsky.social www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
Control of retrotransposon-driven activation of the interferon response by the double-stranded RNA binding protein DGCR8
The type I interferon (IFN) response is the main innate immune pathway against viruses in mammals. This pathway must be tightly regulated to prevent viral spread while avoiding excessive immune respon...
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The Francis Crick Institute @crick.ac.uk · 12/05/2025
As tighter immigration policies are announced today, scientists continue to stress the importance of attracting international talent. Our director Paul Nurse spoke to the Observer about how this affects science in the UK: observer.co.uk/news/politic...
observer.co.uk
Is the UK paying the price for world’s most expensive visas? | The Observer
Competing political and economic goals on immigration are resulting in the loss of valuable skills and talent in the UK
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Sara R Heras @herassr.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Our latest paper is out in NAR! 🥳 In collaboration with @saramaciasrna.bsky.social, we show DGCR8 haploinsufficiency disrupts pluripotency in hESC by affecting primate-specific miRNAs and TEs. Our findings highlight a co-evolved miRNA-TE network in primates. Read: academic.oup.com/nar/article-...
academic.oup.com
DGCR8 haploinsufficiency leads to primate-specific RNA dysregulation and pluripotency defects
Abstract. The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22qDS) is a human disorder where the majority of clinical manifestations originate during embryonic development. 2
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Our last paper in collaboration with Sara RHeras is finally out 🥳we modelled Dgcr8 haploinsufficiency in hESCs and exciting differences between 🧘🏽‍♂️and 🐭 at the transposon and miRNA content -HERVH & C19MC Thanks to all the coauthors and funders academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
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Sandra Blanco Lab @sblancolab.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
I'm so excited about @saramaciasrna.bsky.social invitation to visit the Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social on the 5th of February. I will be sharing our latest research on #RNAmodifications in #cancer
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
RECRUITING-PhD student to study the role of RNA-binding proteins in antiviral defence during early development. #crispr #iclip #omics Interested candidates, please email a full CV and a statement of interest. Open to both UK and overseas www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
findaphd.com
Antiviral defence during early development at University of Edinburgh on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Antiviral defence during early development at University of Edinburgh, listed on FindAPhD.com
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Important reading - unfortunately not open access
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Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) @imbmainz.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
And since we're here... 🥼 Join us as a Group Leader in #ComputationalBiology or #RNA Biology 🧬 More details via www.imb.de/jobs Application deadline is 5 January 2025 #sciencejobs #resilience #biostatistics
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Had an amazing time visiting King’s college dept of Infectious diseases. Thanks @Rocio Nunez and @Hannah Mischo for the hosting and great tapas with @charlotte odendall …and a beautiful early morning walk by the river!
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Michelle Percharde @mpercharde.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Happy to share our first #bluetorial & our latest #preprint, lead by postdoc @paulchammas.bsky.social. We used CRISPRa to disentangle the close relationship between Dux and MERVL elements in the induction of the 2-cell like state: #TEsky #MERVL www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... (1/8)
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
This is so good! Thanks @tillysscott.bsky.social
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Great discussion at the Genetics Society conference 🧬
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Matthew Sinton 🏳️‍🌈 @mcsinton.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Interested in tissue immunity in infection, focusing on adipose tissue, brain and immunometabolism? Then come join me & @juanquintana.bsky.social at @lydiabeckeriii.bsky.social as a research assistant Email to arrange an informal chat 🧪 #ImmunoSky #LGBTQSTEM www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
jobs.manchester.ac.uk
Research Assistant in Tissue Immunology:Oxford Road
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
On our way to the Genetics Society meeting at Leicester. We cannot wait to hear all about transposable elements 🧬 with my friend and collaborator Sara R Heras (soon joining this network too 😂)
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
New EdiRNA events for the new year! Funded by the @RNASociety. Great opportunity to network with other RNA biologists 🧬 (dsRNA included) from Edinburgh and beyond 🚀 Jan 29, 2025 Apr 9, 2025 Jun 11, 2025 Oct TBD, 2025 www.edirna.com/meetings
edirna.com
EVENTS | EdiRNA
ediRNA aims to establish new collaborations, encourage scientific discussion, and enhance interactions between RNA researchers across Edinburgh.
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Sara MaciasRNA @saramaciasrna.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
recruiting a PhD student interested in the role of RNA binding proteins 🧬for antiviral defence 🦠during embryonic development🐁 👶. Funding routes for both UK and international students are available 🌻. Please send your CV and motivation letter if interested saramaciasribela.wixsite.com/maciaslab
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