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devbioquintay.bsky.social
Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
@devbioquintay.bsky.social
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https://biodesarrollo.unab.cl
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devbioquintay.bsky.social
The Quintay Practical Course on Developmental Biology has received one of the highest recognitions in developmental biology. Its director, Roberto Mayor, has been awarded the Viktor Hamburger Outstanding Education Prize by the Society for Developmental Biology (SDB)
July 28, 2026 at 2:49 PM
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lasdb.bsky.social
New edition of the great Quintay Developmental Biology Course !!!
More information at:
biodesarrollo.unab.cl
May 18, 2026 at 4:33 AM
devbioquintay.bsky.social
Please help us to promote the next version of the Developmental Biology course (Quintay Chile). More information in: biodesarrollo.unab.cl
May 16, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Reposted by Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
zebrafishrock.bsky.social
Frugal design, previously demoed at @devbioquintay.bsky.social 🐟🌎
cellsdev.bsky.social Cells & Development @cellsdev.bsky.social · May 1
Do you work with #zebrafish? Wanting a budget-friendly housing system capable of thermal control and filtration? Perhaps you just set up your lab and are looking for a short term solution? Then ZebRack designed by the Valdivia lab might pique of your interest?
Check it out:
doi.org/10.1016/j.cd...
Fig. 1. The ZebRack housing system. (A) Frontal view of the ZebRack setup at the Universidad Mayor fish facility. With a capacity for 15 Aquaneering 2.8 L tanks, its lightweight and compact frame can house up to 225 adult zebrafish (at a maximum of 15 fish per tank). (B) Rear view of the ZebRack, illustrating the water flow system designed in OnShape. Blue arrows indicate water flow from the reservoir to the fish tanks. Drainage water then flows back to the reservoir (yellow arrows), where it passes through an external filter for cleaning before being recirculated. Fig. 2. Water reservoir and external filter (view from above). A submersible pump transports water from the reservoir up to the fish tanks. Drainage water then returns to the reservoir, where it is purified by the external filter. This filter, connected to the reservoir, features its own UV light, prefilter pads, activated charcoal, and ceramic bio-rings to maintain water quality. Fig. 3. ZebRack setup at the 2025 International Developmental Biology course. (A) The ZebRack system during a course in Quintay. The two upper levels were used for fish tanks, while the lower level was dedicated to breeding boxes. The entire apparatus was housed within a portable indoor culture tent alongside a portable AC unit. The tent was fully closed at night to ensure temperature stability. (B) A close-up view of the interior of the indoor tent.
May 3, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Reposted by Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
cellsdev.bsky.social
A fascinating review on the role of Activin in organ induction. Isn't it wild that in Xenopus embryos, a piece of the animal cap can be induced with Activin at different concentrations and buffers to form the ❤️, kidney, the pancreas, head, tail, and even a whole embryoid 🤯:
doi.org/10.1016/j.cd...
Fig. 1. Animal cap assay and sandwich method as in vitro induction systems. In amphibians, a blastocoel cavity clearly forms inside the animal hemisphere during the blastula and early gastrula stages. The cap-like portion lining the roof of the blastocoel cavity is the animal cap. This region consists of a sheet of pluripotent cells, organized into one or several layers. In the animal cap assay, the animal cap was treated with a physiological saline solution containing inducing factors and then cultured. Depending on the type, concentration, and duration of exposure to the inducing factors, animal caps can differentiate into various cell types. In contrast, the sandwich method, involves culturing the inducer source in between two animal caps. In this technique, the sources of induction can include the dorsal lip of the blastopore (organizer), adult tissues, pelletized soluble factors, or animal caps pretreated with soluble factors. In this figure, activin is used as an example of an inducing factor. Fig. 12. Summary of the in vitro induction system using activin as an inducing factor. This in vitro induction system utilizes activin and retinoic acid as inducing factors to treat animal caps, employing techniques such as animal cap assay, dissociation/reaggregation protocol, and the sandwich method. By applying these methods, various levels of self-organization can be replicated and controlled in vitro, ranging from lower-order cell differentiation to higher-order tissue differentiation, organogenesis, and even the formation of fundamental body plans. Abbreviations: Dorsal [D], ventral [V], and retinoic acid [RA]. Fig. 11. Formation of embryoids by artificial activin concentration gradients. To create embryoids, animal caps were prepared through treatment with low (0.5–1 ng/ml), intermediate (5–10 ng/ml), or high (50–100 ng/ml) concentrations of activin. These three types of activin-treated animal caps were then sequentially arranged and cultured with untreated animal caps. After 3 days of culture, embryoids with distinct head and trunk-tail structures were formed (A). Histological sections revealed differentiation into head tissues, such as the cement gland [cg] and eyes, and trunk-tail tissues including the ear vesicle [ev], brain [br], notochord [not], muscle [mus], and gut (B). When newt embryos are used in similar combination cultures, neural plate structures forming the brain [white arrow] and axial structures forming the trunk-tail regions [black arrow] are sometimes observed (C). Fig. 7. In vitro heart formation and in vivo transplantation experiment. When treated with a high concentration of activin, the animal caps of Xenopus embryos did not differentiate into heart tissue. However, if the animal cap dissociates into individual cells before activin treatment and then reaggregates, it forms a beating heart [arrow] with 100 % efficiency (A). This heart expresses differentiation marker genes, such as Nkx2.5, GATA-4, Tbx5, MHCα, TnIc (cardiac troponin I), and ANF, none of which are expressed in an animal cap treated with activin alone, without dissociation/reaggregation (B). Electron microscopy reveals the presence of intercalated discs [id] specific to the cardiac muscle, along with visible mitochondria [m] and Z-bands [z] (C). When the reaggregated heart tissue is orthotopically transplanted into the cardiac primordium of a neurula-stage embryo, it integrates without rejection and continues to beat (D), although it does not persist through host metamorphosis. In contrast, when the reaggregated tissue is ectopically transplanted into the ventral region of the neurula, it begins to beat synchronously with the host heart and gradually reddens as it initiates blood circulation (E).
January 31, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
latinxdb.bsky.social
Congratulations @mayorlab.bsky.social on this awesome-deserverd recognition by the @socdevbio.bsky.social !

Dr. Roberto Mayor career is a powerful example of the excellence, leadership, and creativity that #Latinx scientists bring to #DevelopmentalBiology!
socdevbio.bsky.social Society for Developmental Biology @socdevbio.bsky.social · Feb 5
Congrats to the 2026 SDB Award Winners!
Conklin Medal: Lee Niswander
SDB Lifetime Achievement Award: Alexandra Joyner
Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize: Roberto Mayor
Hay New Investigator Award: Jeffrey Farrell
SDB Trainee SciComm Award: Nicholas Desnoyer
bit.ly/4afnjiC
Society for Developmental Biology logo Society for Developmental Biology 2026 Award Winners Edwin G. Conklin Medal Headshot of Lee Niswander Lee Niswander, University of Colorado Boulder Society for Developmental Biology Lifetime Achievement Award Headshot of Alexandra Joyner Alexandra Joyner, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Viktor Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize Headshot of Roberto Mayor Roberto Mayor, University College London Elizabeth D. Hay New Investigator Award Headshot of Jeffrey Farrell Jeffrey Farrell, National Institutes of Health Society for Developmental Biology Trainee Science Communication Award Headshot of Nicholas Desnoyer Nicholas Desnoyer, The Sainsbury Laboratory
February 20, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Reposted by Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
mayorlab.bsky.social
It’s a real honour to receive the Viktor Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize from the SDB. Teaching is one of the most rewarding parts of my life. Thanks to the SDB and the hundreds of students and faculty at the Quintay course who have made it such a joy.
socdevbio.bsky.social Society for Developmental Biology @socdevbio.bsky.social · Feb 5
Congrats to the 2026 SDB Award Winners!
Conklin Medal: Lee Niswander
SDB Lifetime Achievement Award: Alexandra Joyner
Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize: Roberto Mayor
Hay New Investigator Award: Jeffrey Farrell
SDB Trainee SciComm Award: Nicholas Desnoyer
bit.ly/4afnjiC
Society for Developmental Biology logo Society for Developmental Biology 2026 Award Winners Edwin G. Conklin Medal Headshot of Lee Niswander Lee Niswander, University of Colorado Boulder Society for Developmental Biology Lifetime Achievement Award Headshot of Alexandra Joyner Alexandra Joyner, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Viktor Hamburger Outstanding Educator Prize Headshot of Roberto Mayor Roberto Mayor, University College London Elizabeth D. Hay New Investigator Award Headshot of Jeffrey Farrell Jeffrey Farrell, National Institutes of Health Society for Developmental Biology Trainee Science Communication Award Headshot of Nicholas Desnoyer Nicholas Desnoyer, The Sainsbury Laboratory
February 8, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
mayorlab.bsky.social
Early Career Opportunity
Mentorship & career development, access to world-class facilities, and a collaborative, supportive environment. We are particularly interested in researchers in Synthetic Dev. Biol. Mechanobiology and AI . #AcademicJobs #EarlyCareerResearcher #UCL #DevelopmentalBiology
September 10, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Reposted by Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
mary-flores.bsky.social
@devbioquintay.bsky.social Alumni at the 2025 @isdb.bsky.social / @socdevbio.bsky.social / LASDB meeting with @mayorlab.bsky.social 🇵🇷
#2025SDB #2025ICDB #2025LASDB
June 21, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Reposted by Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
yosoyden.bsky.social
Quintay alumni meet-up at the #ICDB2025 meeting in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
Always great to meet with the Latin American community working in developmental biology around the world 😃
@devbioquintay.bsky.social
@mayorlab.bsky.social
June 21, 2025 at 9:29 PM
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fishfena.bsky.social
🫶 @isdb.bsky.social @devbioquintay.bsky.social @mayorlab.bsky.social
yosoyden.bsky.social Daniel Ríos @yosoyden.bsky.social · Jun 21
Quintay alumni meet-up at the #ICDB2025 meeting in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷
Always great to meet with the Latin American community working in developmental biology around the world 😃
@devbioquintay.bsky.social
@mayorlab.bsky.social
June 21, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Reposted by Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
matyasbl.bsky.social
Read more about it at:
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
(PDF) Beyond mechanosensing: How cells sense and shape their physical environment during development
PDF | The role of mechanics as a regulator of cell behaviour and embryo development has been widely recognised. However, much of the focus in... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Rese...
www.researchgate.net
April 11, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
mayorlab.bsky.social
congratulations @matyasbl.bsky.social
matyasbl.bsky.social Matyas Bubna-Litic @matyasbl.bsky.social · Apr 11
Embryonic induction of fate is a core concept in developmental biology. But, cells can also modify the physical state of surrounding tissues a process we call 'actuation'.

I reviewed with
@mayorlab.bsky.social 3 excellent papers that show how actuation and feedback can drive changes in the embryo.
April 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
matyasbl.bsky.social
Embryonic induction of fate is a core concept in developmental biology. But, cells can also modify the physical state of surrounding tissues a process we call 'actuation'.

I reviewed with
@mayorlab.bsky.social 3 excellent papers that show how actuation and feedback can drive changes in the embryo.
April 11, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY
mayorlab.bsky.social
Thank you, Marcos Simões-Costa (Harvard Stem Cell) and Joao Botelho (P Univ Catolica), for leading the chick module at the @EMBO #DevBiol course in Quintay, Chile! From grafting beads to Light Sheet microscopy with @zeiss_micro, it was an inspiring journey of discovery!
January 14, 2025 at 10:05 PM
devbioquintay.bsky.social
Thanks to Nipam Patel and Matthew Parent from the Marine Biological Laboratory MBL, Woods Hole, US, for their great support to Latin American Science
mayorlab.bsky.social Roberto Mayor Lab @mayorlab.bsky.social · Jan 9
Spectacular finale of the Drosophila module at the EMBO #DevBiol course in Quintay, Chile! Students shared insights, supported by stunning images they captured—guided by the amazing Nipam Patel, MBL-Woods Hole Director, and supported by Mathew Parent from MBL. #ScienceEducation
January 9, 2025 at 12:51 PM
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mayorlab.bsky.social
The EMBO Dev Biol course in Quintay, Chile, dives into zebrafish embryos under the expert guidance of
Corinne Houart (@KingsCollegeLon) & Leo Valdivia (@CIBumayor). Students are hands-on with exciting experiments, exploring the wonders of development! #DevBiol #Zebrafish
January 8, 2025 at 3:54 PM
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mayorlab.bsky.social
The EMBO #DevBio course in Quintay, Chile is in full swing! Students are diving into Drosophila biology with the amazing Nipam Patel, Director of MBL- Woods Hole, leading the way. Inspiring science in Latin America! #ScienceEducation
January 6, 2025 at 1:45 PM
devbioquintay.bsky.social
registration is still open!!
mayorlab.bsky.social Roberto Mayor Lab @mayorlab.bsky.social · Jan 4
Join us in beautiful Quintay to celebrate 25 years of the Practical Course on Developmental Biology!
To register go to biodesarrollo.unab.cl/mini-symposi...
Come to enjoy a unique blend of science, sea, and food – all for free!
January 4, 2025 at 11:14 AM
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mayorlab.bsky.social
We kicked off the EMBO #DevBio course in Quintay, Chile, with two outstanding virtual lectures by Anne Grapin-Botton and Nicoletta Petridou @nicolettapetridou.bsky.social, with excellent participation from Latin American students. Huge thanks to EMBO for their support!
January 4, 2025 at 1:24 AM
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mayorlab.bsky.social
We're gearing up to kick off the EMBO #DevBio course in Quintay, Chile, for Latin American students in just a few days! 🎉 Huge thanks to @uandresbello, @DiarioMayor, @umayoroficial, @CIBumayor, @MBLScience, and @EMBO for making this possible! 🌎🧬 #ScienceEducation
January 2, 2025 at 9:24 PM
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mayorlab.bsky.social
In 1999, we began organising Practical Courses on Developmental Biology with M Allende, first in Santiago and later in stunning Quintay, Chile. Over 25+ years, we’ve trained hundreds of students in DevBio, with over 90% becoming PIs in the field!
Join us in celebrating 25 years of teaching DevBio
devbioquintay.bsky.social Practical Course on Developmental Biology QUINTAY @devbioquintay.bsky.social · Dec 20
Join us in celebrating 25 years of the Practical Course on Developmental Biology! This special event will feature alumni of the course, now PIs from around the world, as speakers. Come to beautiful Quintay to enjoy a unique blend of science, sea, and food – all for free!
December 23, 2024 at 2:20 PM
devbioquintay.bsky.social
Join us in celebrating 25 years of the Practical Course on Developmental Biology! This special event will feature alumni of the course, now PIs from around the world, as speakers. Come to beautiful Quintay to enjoy a unique blend of science, sea, and food – all for free!
December 20, 2024 at 7:52 PM
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amartinezarias.bsky.social
Excellent study on #Xenopus #gastruloids shorturl.at/PTaB2 @mayorlab.bsky.social exploring mechano-chemical interactions during #gastrulation. Another example of the versatility of multicellular embryonic self organizing systems to explore fundamental principles of #PatternFormation. #NotInTheGenes
December 17, 2024 at 7:55 AM
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amartinezarias.bsky.social
We've wondered for a while why #gastruloids are so sensitive to initial cell numbers. Here www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... led by U, Fiuza, we explore this & observe effects of a number of variables on final structure and think what this tells us @ embryogenesis
#IInNumbersWeTrust #NotInTheGenes
December 17, 2024 at 6:52 PM