An example of an embryo model, featuring a mix of differently coloured spots and blobs on a black background.

An example of an embryo model, featuring a mix of differently coloured spots and blobs on a black background.

An example of an embryo model, featuring a mix of differently coloured spots and blobs on a black background.

An example of an embryo model, featuring a mix of differently coloured spots and blobs on a black background.

These stem cell-based models help researchers to study the 'missing four weeks' of embryo development – a period long unseen by science.

Explore @nmoris.bsky.social's work with these models and what's next for research and regulation:

www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-03...

Registration is now open for the UK Proteostasis Meeting 2026.

The event will cover a range of topics, bringing together researchers from across the UK to discuss protein homeostasis.

📅 20-21 July

Find out more and book tickets 👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-proteos...

Locating the cell division trigger Every time a cell divides, it reaches a deciding moment, a tipping point when it chooses to move forward, change state, begin something new and form two new cells.

"Science moves forward by questioning what is thought obvious and closely following the evidence, even when it leads to surprising results."

Read about the collaboration between Nitin Kapadia and Paul Nurse and their efforts to figure out where mitosis begins:
www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-03...

The findings were described in a new paper led by Joachim De Jonghe with corresponding author @gregfindlay.bsky.social, as well as a companion paper in collaboration with @nickywhiffin.bsky.social and other researchers from @paediatrics.ox.ac.uk and around the world.

Mapping mutations at scale in a single gene reveals new neurodevelopmental condition Geneticists have uncovered a previously hidden neurodevelopmental condition, showing how variations in a single gene can give rise to distinct disorders and deepening understanding of their biological...

While mapping mutations in a single gene, researchers have uncovered a previously hidden neurodevelopmental condition.

Clinical collaborators have already diagnosed 38 individuals with this newfound condition, known as recessive ReNu syndrome.

www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-04...

Mission: possible The team of inventors overcoming the toughest technical challenges to accelerate scientific research.

The team in our Making Lab are helping to answer challenging biological questions by building miniature airways, automating syringe pumps and rigging up Wi Fi for fruit fly larvae.

Learn about the scientific challenges each of these inventions are helping us solve.
www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-03...

A group of people in conversation during a networking event in a modern indoor space.

If you're based at UCL, Imperial College London or King's College London, sign up for our newsletter for our university partners to keep up with training, events and news from the Crick: www.crick.ac.uk/sign-up-for-our-newslett...

More Questions of Science graphic logo with the Francis Crick Institute and BBC Studios logos.

Don’t miss out on More Questions of Science. We’ve recorded six bonus episodes, revisiting some of the biggest themes from previous episodes of A Question of Science

Listen to all six brand-new episodes on your favourite podcast platform: www.lnk.to/AQuestionOfScienceBB

A person stands outdoors in front of a giraffe, looking up at it.

A newborn giraffe and an adult giraffe in an enclosure.

Two people examine a sample of giraffe placenta on a metal bench.

A person in a white lab coat loads samples into a machine in a lab.

Crick evolutionary biologist @margaridamcm.bsky.social is working with conservation charity ZSL to investigate an enduring mystery: how the placenta has evolved with incredible variation across species.

Read the full story: www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-03...

This research was led by @anders-bergstrom.bsky.social, with senior author @pontus-skoglund.bsky.social.

Canine companions: revealing the genetic history of our first friends The largest study of canid remains to date sheds light on how the first farmers adopted hunter-gatherer dogs and highlights that dog domestication happened before 14,000 years ago.

We now know that dog domestication happened more than 14,000 years ago, thanks to new research from the Crick, @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social and @mpi-eva-leipzig.bsky.social, shedding light on how the first farmers adopted hunter-gatherer dogs.

www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-03...

The Crick Magazine | Issue 2 The Crick Magazine, Spring 2026

The Crick magazine spring edition is here, with our latest discoveries and science stories.

Read about John Diffley’s mission to crack DNA replication and how a giraffe is helping scientists understand placenta evolution ➡️ www.crick.ac.uk/news-and-fea...

“I think it’s a real mistake to forget where the pipeline for all this begins.”

John Diffley reflects on the importance of basic research, his mission to decode DNA replication and recreate it in the lab, and the scientific optimism of the 1960s that helped shape it.
www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-03...

The project will be co-led by @andreas-t-schaefer.bsky.social at the Crick and Chris Jacobsen at Northwestern University, working with @esrf.fr . It is part of the NIH’s BRAIN CONNECTS programme to map neural connections in humans and animals.

Can X-rays reveal how the brain is wired? Neuroscientist Andreas Schaefer is spearheading a new project to capture the intricacies of the mouse brain using X-rays, bringing researchers closer to a complete map of its neural connections.

“We’re hoping doors will open for researchers to ask questions about how connections are made in the brain in mice and maybe, one day, humans.” - @andreas-t-schaefer.bsky.social

Read about the new NIH-funded program to map brain circuitry using X-rays: www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-03...

Taking advantage of metastatic cancer’s need for fats Secondary breast cancer tumours reprogram lung cells to feed them energy-rich fats. Could this dependency be their downfall?

New research from the Crick and @viblifesciences.bsky.social has shown how secondary breast cancer tumour cells can reprogram lung cells to supply them with fats for energy and other key functions. www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-03...

The London Immunity in Health and Disease Symposium This two day symposium will highlight cutting edge research in immunity in health and disease.

Booking is now open for the London Immunity in Health and Disease Symposium, taking place here at the Crick on 14-15 September.

Early bird tickets are available until 30 April.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-london...

The Crick to co-lead the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Science and Health (EDIS) group The Crick will co-lead the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Science and Health (EDIS) group with hosts, the British Science Association, supported by a £10 million grant over seven years from Well...

We’re excited to be working with @britsciassoc.bsky.social to co-lead EDIS, a coalition working to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in science and health research.

Find out more about the plans for EDIS's next chapter ⤵️ www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-03...

Portrait shots of two people looking into the camera.

Two Crick group leaders are joining Cancer Grand Challenges teams to tackle big questions in cancer research.

Leanne Li leads a team studying how tumours interact with the nervous system, and Vivian Li joins a @ucl.ac.uk-led team working to rewire cancer cells.

🔗 www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-03...

Postdoctoral clinical fellows Opportunities for postdoctoral clinicians to consolidate their research experience.

Are you a clinician looking for a fully-funded postdoctoral research opportunity?

Check out our postdoctoral career development fellowships for clinicians, and see how you can join our vibrant community: www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-...

His Royal Highness Prince William is talking with Edith Heard, who is to his left, inside a well-lit building entrance. They are both smiling and walking towards the camera.

His Royal Highness Prince William Is sitting at a round table with a group of students. They are all wearing safety glasses, and he is holding a pipette. There is a variety of scientific instruments in the middle of the table.

His Royal Highness Prince William is sitting in front of a microscope wearing a lab coat. He is laughing while looking towards someone to his left, also in a lab coat. They are both inside a large white room.

His Royal Highness Prince William stands next two Edith heard, both with arms folded across their front. He is facing and talking to three other people inside a well-lit building entrance.

Thanks to His Royal Highness Prince William for visiting the Crick today to explore how education, research and innovation are helping to deliver benefits in the UK and across the world – from antimicrobial resistance to the biology underlying our mental health.

🔗 www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-02...

Text reads ‘More Questions of Science’ over a large question mark, where the bottom dot is replaced by Professor Brian Cox’s head.

More Questions of Science are on their way.

In the coming weeks, Brian and past experts from A Question of Science take a deeper dive into topics from previous episodes.

Listen to the first of six upcoming bonus episodes now:

🔗 lnk.to/MQOSAgeingBB

Bioengineered neuronal 'circuit board' mimics conditions of the human brain | King's College London New bioengineered neuronal circuit board “BioConNet” allows scientists to artificially engineer human brain-like wiring at scale and can be used to engineer any possible circuit. The fully programmable, open-source, system allows generation of large-scale circuits, while maintaining the ability to focus on single connections between neurons.

🧠 Neuroscientist @andreaserio.bsky.social and his team have made lab-grown neural networks that are similar to human cortical circuits.

@crick.ac.uk @ukdri.ac.uk #neuroscience

🔗 www.kcl.ac.uk/news/bioengi...

Hidden role of HIV protein could unlock new treatments 40 years after the HIV virus was first identified, researchers have uncovered an unexpected second function of one of the virus’s key proteins, a discovery that could pave the way for new types of tre...

Researchers have uncovered an unexpected second function of one of HIV’s key proteins.

This discovery could pave the way for new types of treatments.
www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-02...

PhD student recruitment PhD recruitment information.

Motivated graduates with backgrounds in biological or biomedical sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and/or computer science are invited to apply to our 4-year fully funded PhD programme.

Apply by 17 March 2026.
www.crick.ac.uk/careers-stud...

Want to learn how to apply an unbiased approach to your data analysis in cytometry?

Sign up for our two-day high-dimensional data analysis for cytometry technical training course, developed and delivered by experts right here at the Crick.

📅 19-20 March.

www.crick.ac.uk/whats-on/hig...

Charlie Swanton awarded Sjöberg Prize from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Deputy Clinical Director at the Crick Charlie Swanton has been awarded this year’s Sjöberg Prize for discoveries concerning clonal evolution of cancer cells and its importance for tumour growth and me...

Congratulations to @charlesswanton.bsky.social on being awarded the Sjöberg Prize Laureate from @scienceacademyswe.bsky.social.

Read more about the award and Charlie’s work on the clonal evolution of cancer cells and its importance for tumour growth and metastasis:

www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-02...

This Powder Could Rescue Antibiotics YouTube video by The Francis Crick Institute

Watch as Crick researchers @jeanninehess.bsky.social and Lars Stevens Cullinane take you inside their red-lit lab, where they explain how they’re developing a tool that could help fight back against the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance.

youtu.be/FhLg3q_vz1U

Pontus Skoglund recognised as 2026 Blavatnik Finalist Crick group leader Pontus Skoglund has been recognised in the 2026 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the United Kingdom.

Congratulations to @pontus-skoglund.bsky.social, who was selected as a Blavatnik Award Finalist for his advancements in the field of ancient DNA.

Read more about the award and Pontus’ work. 👇
www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-02...

‘Missing link’ protein key to restoring disorganised blood vessels Understanding how the body maintains the balance between blood vessel formation and stabilisation could help treat blood vessel disorders, cancer and prevalent eye diseases.

New research from the Crick and @umontreal.ca has found the missing link between two chemical pathways that control blood vessel branching, potentially opening the door for new treatments for a currently incurable genetic bleeding disorder.

www.crick.ac.uk/news/2026-02...