While visiting Regensburg, Ellie had a confidential side project: using a scoring pipeline for flavour, texture, and appearance, she identified top performers with the kind of confidence usually reserved for structure papers. Reviewer 2 has requested a larger sample size and more ice cream controls.
Well, I finally swapped the predictable pavement for some unpredictable trail running, and let's say my legs have feelings now—mostly bewilderment and slight betrayal. I'm back home, covered in dirt, slightly bruised.
Most importantly, I didn't need to call for a helicopter. Success!
Nanocosmos: Faster Than Your Quickest Thought!
"Physik goes Downtown Night 2025" featured science presented by speakers from RUN that was truly mind-blowing. They delivered fantastic talks about the movement of atoms at speeds that completely redefine "quick"! www.uni-regensburg.de/physik/schul...
The @ziegler-lab-ur.bsky.social delegation survived the Munich Half Marathon! This Trial of Spirit demanded the Force be strong with us. And the Force was extraordinarily strong with @katjaurbansky.bsky.social Her exceptional pace has earned her a promotion to the Council of cryoKnights - so cool!
Enjoy the picture to see moments from the visit — from the Robin Hood statue to the lab and evening strolls through Nottingham! 🌿
@uniregensburg.bsky.social
4/4
The visit highlighted the spirit of our project: connecting scientists across borders and disciplines to advance cutting-edge research together to uncover the mechanisms plants use to perceive water stress.
3/4
During this visit, Christine Ziegler @ziegler-lab-ur.bsky.social joined Malcolm Bennett in their lab at the University of Nottingham, while Eilon Shani @eilonshani.bsky.social also happened to be visiting the same research center — a perfect coincidence for a productive and friendly reunion!
2/4
I've just commissioned a cryoEM new coffee mug in new design. To be fair, the mug is arguably the more critical piece of equipment for data collection. You try imaging a membrane proteins at 5 AM without caffeine. ☕🔬#cryoEM
MC 2025: We came, we saw, we won🏆 🏆! Amazing team on a fantastic time at the Microscopy Conference in Karlsruhe.
Get this: two of our posters won Poster Prizes! We're pretty sure it was our perfect blend of science and questionable doodles in the margins. @ziegler-lab-ur.bsky.social
Ultrafast Almost Gold!
The Regensburg Center for Ultrafast Nanoscopy bio-section took second in the relay! Physics' reaction rates are attoseconds, but ours, Slower. Probably why "The Quantum Leapers" edged us out. Great fun and pretzels! @ziegler-lab-ur.bsky.social @katjaurbansky.bsky.social
So exciting … The publication where I had the privilege to contribute has been selected as an Editor's Choice. This recognition truly reflects everyone's hard work and dedication.
Recently, our early-career researchers agreed on the value of organizing regular sessions for PhDs and PostDocs to explore key research topics in greater depth.
These sessions offer a space to understand the methods & techniques used across the 4 #Hydrosensing teams.
#science
In the very 1st session this Tuesday, @greg-madej.bsky.social, from @uniregensburg.bsky.social @ziegler-lab-ur.bsky.social, presented how their expertise is applied within the project; specially the use of Cryo-EM in the study of membrane-embedded proteins.
🌐 www.uni-regensburg.de/biologie-vor...
Yesterday, through the tireless work of training runs, the support of my team, and the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other, we reached the finish line. The justice of completing what we set out to do, after the planning and the effort, has been served.
@katjaurbansky.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Proud to have been a small part of the team behind the latest publication. It was a privilege to collaborate with such a talented group of researchers on this work. A massive congratulations to all the authors for this contribution to the field!
#RNA #cryoEM
Malcolm Bennet in the greenhouse with the filming crew
Poonam Mehra while filming
Malcolm Bennet in the greenhouse while filming
In @uniofnottingham.bsky.social ERC Hydrosensing members spent a few intense (and wardrobe-consistent 😅) days filming about research on root systems and how plants adapt to drought.
More footage for the documentary is being filmed at locations around the world in the coming year.
We had the pleasure to contribute to this publication... It was a pleasure to be part of this effort. Congratulations to all authors! #cryoEM
@cmziegler.bsky.social
@greg-madej.bsky.social
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....
These were great days.. thank you all!
@hamannlab.bsky.social @eilonshani.bsky.social @sara-morghen.bsky.social @francesco-saffioti.bsky.social @katjaurbansky.bsky.social @wiebkehaeger.bsky.social @michaelaticha.bsky.social @hydrosensing.bsky.social @hydrophotonics.bsky.social
First images coming soon 🤩
Congratulations...!
#HydroSensing Synergy Group - your fascinating talks last week completely watered the seeds of curiosity in my brain 😉. Prepare to see the photographic evidence of my descent into macroscale hydrosensing madness! I'm pretty sure my leafy friends 🌱 are judging my overly enthusiastic note-taking.
We are fascinated by how our leafy friends 🌱 feel the subtle shifts in soil moisture 💦 Last week we hydrated your minds and cultivated connections at our #erc meeting focusing on the captivating world of #Plant #HydroSensing 🧩@hydrosensing.bsky.social @hydrophotonics.bsky.social
Exciting ERC synergy project meeting in Regensburg 😊@hydrosensing.bsky.social @ntnudiscovery.bsky.social @uniofnottingham.bsky.social @uniregensburg.bsky.social
After our annual #HydroSensing meeting in Regensburg, we went for a hike.. of course with a subsequent data collection and data processing demonstration 😁 #Plant #cryoEM
It needs some practice, but the whole process: cooling the box, clipping grids, loading the autoloader takes about 20-30 min for 4 grids. Originally the process you see in the movie is 2 min - I have speeded up the frame rate 😁
light-sensitive compounds that do not absorb in red light.. 😉
Yes, we do wear a mask and the room is somewhat humidity controlled.. at hot summer days not so much 😂 With a little practice, clipping is also possible at limited visibility or if you prefer red light 😉 When the rel. humidity climbs >45% things start getting challenging 😥
It’s really easy.. we let it students do it in a practical class 😉 You will enjoy it 👍
