Isabelle Zane

Interested in how the genome works and how to engineer it. I am based at the Sanger Institute and the University of Cambridge. In my spare time I read & run & swim & draw silly comics like the ones I put on this website.

You can reach me on

X/Twitter: @isabellease

LinkedIn: Isabelle Zane

Email: iz235@cam.ac.uk

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 contributed to research on evolution, synthetic biology, transcriptomics, and more. I do both experimental and computational work.

In my PhD, I study the effect of mutations on transcription factors. 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 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. You can follow along on X (@isabellease) or on Bluesky (@isabellease.bsky.social‬).

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).