We’re organising a joint hands-on workshop with Intel to look at how to perform NGS data analyses more efficiently. Do come along! It’s free!

Next-generation sequencing datasets are continuing to increase in size, and even small genomic projects now generate terabytes of data. The sheer scale of these datasets now poses a great computational challenge: how can we improve software pipelines to analyse data more efficiently?

Designed jointly by Intel and the Francis Crick Institute, this workshop will tackle some of these challenges and train participants in the principles and practicalities of optimizing NGS analysis pipelines.

Anna Poetsch is another new postdoc in our lab. She just completed her PhD at the DKFZ in Germany and she is starting some collaborations on DNA damage repair. Here is her 60 second interview.

Welcome. What were you doing before you joined the LRI?
I was doing my PhD at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg.

What does your role at the LRI involve and what do you most enjoy about your role?
I am doing a postdoc in computational biology. For me this is very exciting because I am wet lab trained and I am really enjoying the challenge to do something new.

What has it been like working at the LRI so far?
Great, I am really enjoying the change it brought to my life. My colleagues are very helpful and make this transition quite easy for me. London is a very exciting place and I especially enjoy the museums and concerts here.

If you weren't in science, what would you be and why?
I guess I would do something with my hands. Maybe creating something that tastes nice…. chocolatier!

Tell us something your colleagues don't know about you?
So far I successfully prevented everybody from noticing that I am easily startled. The noise I make then can be quite amusing…

What hobbies do you have outside of work?
What do you mean? My work is my hobby! (And another one is being ironic!)

If you could meet one person from history, who would it be and why?
I would like to meet god at the time of creation and would try to convince him about some adjustments.

What's your favourite part of the world and why?
I cannot name a particular place. Nice people, delicious food, warm weather and chocolate. If a place provides all these, I usually like it.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Unfortunately I did not listen….

Home is…
Ask me again, when I have been here for a while.

I received the wonderful news yesterday that I had been elected as an EMBO Member. Every year, ~50 life scientists are elected from Europe and the rest of the world. This is a fantastic recognition of everyone’s hard work, and I’d like to congratulate past and present members of the laboratory for this achievement.

Now onto the next project!

Tonight Alessandra and I are presenting our work at the Pint of Science! This is a new science festival for scientists to talk about their work in the relaxed setting of a pub. 75 scientists will talk with more than 3000 people over three nights. Our topic is personal genomics, something that we’re hoping to work in the near future!

Applications for the Biostatistics Postdoc position closes on 31 April 2013! Please apply through the Cancer Research UK Careers Page.

You can find more information about the position on the jobs page, but feel free to mail me if you have specific questions.

Elodie Darbo is a new postdoc in our lab. She just completed her PhD in Marseille and she’ll be working with on HiC studies. Here is her 60 second interview.

Welcome. What were you doing before you joined the LRI?
I made a 10 months postdoc in Technological Advances in Genomics Clinics (TAGC) lab in Marseille.

What does your role at the LRI involve and what do you most enjoy about your role?
I was recruited as a postdoc at the LRI last February to study DNA/DNA contact at a genomic scale. I think I am entering a very exciting field and I can find here all what I need to perform the best research.

What has it been like working at the LRI so far?
I found here a really friendly atmosphere. I enjoy, every morning, to join the lab as I know I will have really riveting interactions within the team and also have some opportunities to follow interesting seminars. LRI has a really good scientific environment.

If you weren't in science, what would you be and why?
I guess I would study art and become a designer or a painter (depending on my talent ...).

Tell us something your colleagues don't know about you?
I know all episodes of Columbo by heart.

What hobbies do you have outside of work?
Eating.

If you could meet one person from history, who would it be and why?
Salvador Dali to watch him painting for hours.

What's your favourite part of the world and why?
The Atlantic cost in the south-West of France, with its infinite breathtaking beaches and pine woods. When you are at the top of a sand dune, you can enjoy the most beautiful sunset I ever seen, the colours are always incredible and I am, of course, totally objective.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
"Be water, my friend." [Bruce Lee]

Home is…
Mont de Marsan

We are now taking applications for postdoc positions in our London lab! Send your cover letter and CV to the Cancer Research UK Careers Page.

You can find more information about the position on the jobs page, but feel free to mail me if you have specific questions.

Our laboratory visited the Crick building site last week. Here’s a photo of them dressed for the task!



Unfortunately I didn’t get to join them, but I’ll go on another occasion. Apparently it’s a HUGE building!

Kathi and Julian’s paper is now out in Cell! You can read the press release here.

The work describes an RNA-binding protein protects the transcriptome from aberrant pseudo-exonization of Alu elements. It’s a very elegant study that required both wet and dry labs to develop new techniques.