Catarina Vicente

A molecular mechanism of mitotic centrosome assembly in Drosophila

Centrosomes comprise a pair of centrioles surrounded by pericentriolar material (PCM). The PCM expands dramatically as cells enter mitosis, but it is unclear how this occurs. In this study, we show that the centriole protein Asl initiates the recruitment of DSpd-2 and Cnn to mother centrioles; both proteins then assemble into co-dependent scaffold-like structures that spread outwards from the mother centriole and recruit most, if not all, other PCM components. In the absence of either DSpd-2 or Cnn, mitotic PCM assembly is diminished; in the absence of both proteins, it appears to be abolished. We show that DSpd-2 helps incorporate Cnn into the PCM and that Cnn then helps maintain DSpd-2 within the PCM, creating a positive feedback loop that promotes robust PCM expansion around the mother centriole during mitosis. These observations suggest a surprisingly simple mechanism of mitotic PCM assembly in flies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03399.001

The Node and beyond–using social media in cell and developmental biology

Traditionally, strong scientific communities have been at least partly built around physical proximity - either by members of the same department or institute, or through regular meetings and conferences. The online environment and the rise of social media platforms now make it easier to build virtual communities of geographically dispersed people with a common interest. In this article, we explore how such networks can be nurtured, focussing on the Node - a community blog for and by developmental biologists. We also discuss the value of social media outlets like Twitter in building and maintaining scientific communities online.

An interview with Lewis Wolpert

Lewis Wolpert is a retired developmental biologist who, over his long career, has made many important contributions to the field, from his French Flag model and the concept of positional information to the famous quote that it is “not birth, marriage or death, but gastrulation which is truly the most important time in your life.” In addition to his scientific contributions, Lewis is also a prolific writer, from the textbook ‘Developmental Biology’ to books about popular science, religion and his battle with depression. Although born in South Africa, it was in the United Kingdom that Lewis spent most of his scientific career. We met Lewis at the Spring Meeting of the British Society for Developmental Biology, where he was awarded the Waddington Medal. Summary: We recently met with Lewis Wolpert at the Spring Meeting of the BSDB, where he was awarded the Waddington Medal, and asked him about his life and his career.

An interview with Peter Lawrence.

Peter Lawrence, FRS, is a fly geneticist based at the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge. During his illustrious career he has carried out pioneering work on pattern formation and polarity, and his contributions have been recognised by many honours, including the Prince of Asturias prize with Gines Morata and election to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. He is also an outspoken critic of the current scientific system and particularly how it affects young scientists. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Peter, and we asked him about the influence of his mentor Sir V. B. Wigglesworth, writing his first grant at age 65 and his time as an editor of Development. Summary: Fly developmental biologist Peter Lawrence talks about his research and career, writing his first grant at age 65, and his time as an editor of Development.

An interview with Melissa Little.

Melissa Little is a Senior Principal Research Fellow at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia. Her lab has studied kidney development and regeneration for over 20 years, recently making notable advances in the generation of kidney organoids from human iPSCs. We chatted with Melissa about her career, her thoughts on the potential of the organoid and stem cell fields, and what she hopes to achieve during her guest editorship with Development. Summary: Melissa Little chats about her research and career, the potential of the organoid and stem cell fields, and what she hopes to achieve during her guest editorship with Development.

An interview with Enrico Coen.

Enrico Coen CBE FRS is a Project Leader at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK, who uses a variety of approaches to study patterning and morphogenesis in plants. We met with Enrico at the Spring Meeting of the British Society for Developmental Biology, where he was awarded the Waddington Medal, to ask him more about his career and his passion for art and book-writing. Summary: Enrico Coen, winner of the 2016 Waddington Medal, tells us about his career, his research on plant morphogenesis, and his passion for art and book-writing.

An interview with Cheryll Tickle.

Cheryll Tickle is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Bath, UK. She dedicated her long research career mainly to the study of limb development in the chick, and has received numerous awards for her contributions to science, including being elected a Fellow of The Royal Society and receiving a CBE from the Queen. This year the British Society for Developmental Biology (BSDB) has created a new award in her honour, the Cheryll Tickle Medal, to be awarded to a mid-career, female scientist for outstanding achievements in the field. We asked Cheryll what this award means to her and how science has changed during her career. Summary: Developmental biologist Cheryll Tickle chats about her research, the new British Society for Developmental Biology medal awarded in her honour and how the field has changed during her career.

An interview with Abigail Tucker.

Abigail Tucker is a professor at Kings College London, UK and her lab works on various aspects of craniofacial development – from basic, evolutionary and clinical biology perspectives. This year, Abigail will be awarded the first Cheryll Tickle Medal by the British Society for Developmental Biology (BSDB). We chatted with Abigail about her research, her commitment to public engagement and the challenges and rewards of working with emerging model systems. Summary: Abigail Tucker, winner of the first Cheryll Tickle Medal, discusses her research on craniofacial development and the challenges and rewards of working with emerging model systems.

Reaching out – the many faces of science outreach

Summary: This Spotlight discusses diverse ways in which scientists can engage with the wider community to further the public understanding of science, and encourage individuals to get involved.

An interview with Nipam Patel.

Nipam Patel is a developmental biologist based at the University of California, Berkeley, USA, where he uses a variety of organisms to study the evolution of developmental systems, from arthropod body plans to butterfly colouration. We asked him about his career and scientific interests, his role as an editor at Development, and his growing butterfly collection.