RESARCH
The main research areas I work in are genomics and protein engineering. I completed a BSc in Biochemistry and a MSc in Bioinformatics and Theoretical Systems Biology both at Imperial College London. During this time, I interned in labs that covered areas of evolution, synthetic biology, transcriptomics, and more. I do both experimental and computational work.
In my PhD, I study the effect of mutations on the allostery and binding interfaces of transcription factors. I make many mutations in transcription factors and measure how the mutations have changed their behaviour. More broadly, I’m interested in how genomes work and whether we understand them enough to control them.
CELLMATES
Cellmates is a silly comic strip drawn by me. It is inspired by events, conversations, and mundane things that happen in research that make me laugh. Any resemblance to real life events or people is not serious; I love the people I work with. You can follow along on X (@isabellease) or on Bluesky (@isabellease.bsky.social) or on Substack (@thecellmatescartoons).
Seymour Benzer was a leading behaviour geneticist, he discovered genes in Drosophila controlling circadian rhythm, mating, & memory. Lesser known is his work to find mutations that turn these slimy squishy flies into scrumptious delectable snacks 
Good news: we saved a few hours of work by assuming the genotype is correct! Bad news: it cost us two years 
For years, dog scientists have known that food appears in bowls or rains from the sky, but the exact source and mechanism is unknown. Buster et al observed that barking at an intermediate volume correlates with food appearance, but only at certain times of the day. 
“We’re aiming to submit the paper in 6 months” but we also said that 6 months ago… we said that a year ago too… 
After a long week of troubleshooting experiments 
Summer for scientists in the UK 
One of these is much more expensive than the others 
Seriously where did that plot go 
Not to brag but im pretty sure i run faster than those Olympics guys when trying to finish experiments before the last bus 
We’re supposed to wear lab coats all the time? 
Molecular Biology works in mysterious ways 
Suggestions from people who won’t be doing the experiments 
I was busy, and it was not a quick question
LIVE CONFERENCE SKETCHING
Live sketching of speakers at conferences I’ve attended. I draw a portrait of the speaker and a scientific summary of their talk within the duration of their presentation. You can click on the images to enlarge them. Follow along on X (@isabellease) or on Bluesky (@isabellease.bsky.social).
Mutational Scanning Symposium 2025 May (Link to organiser website)
AI x Bio Conference 2025 June (Link to organiser website)
Genomics at Scale 2025 October (Link to organiser website)
Isabelle Zane 