Chris Ponting
@cgatist.bsky.social
Disease genomics & molecular mechanisms; ME/cfs: http://decodeme.org.uk, SequenceME @ Edinburgh University. Views - my own. He/him.
Pinned
Chris Ponting
@cgatist.bsky.social
· Oct 21
Ignored, blamed, and sometimes left to die – a leading expert in ME explains the origins of a modern medical ‘scandal’
The co-lead of the world’s largest ever genetic study into ME calls for a radical change in how society deals with the disease.
theconversation.com
A personal viewpoint on #MECFS. This is focused not on #pwME rather on why we - society - forsake them. Please read ⬇️
theconversation.com/ignored-blam...
theconversation.com/ignored-blam...
This hit home: "And it felt tremendously tough – depressing much of the time, arduous almost all of the time, but then occasionally joyful, inspiring, even triumphant when it came together."
Prof Sir Ian Chapman - new chief executive of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
www.ukri.org/publications...
Prof Sir Ian Chapman - new chief executive of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
www.ukri.org/publications...
November 25, 2025 at 10:47 AM
This hit home: "And it felt tremendously tough – depressing much of the time, arduous almost all of the time, but then occasionally joyful, inspiring, even triumphant when it came together."
Prof Sir Ian Chapman - new chief executive of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
www.ukri.org/publications...
Prof Sir Ian Chapman - new chief executive of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
www.ukri.org/publications...
Reposted by Chris Ponting
This paragraph from Brightling and Evans' report is very concerning.
The government stopped the long-term follow-up of cohort studies in 2021. 🤦
The government stopped the long-term follow-up of cohort studies in 2021. 🤦
![5.10. It is our opinion, shared with many of the participants of the National Long Covid research group, that there has been a lack of progression in research funding from mid-2021. Further discussion of current and future research, along with potential gaps are described in M3. Overall, there is no ongoing funding for longer term follow-up of the existing cohort studies [Routen A 2022], the CIS [Covid Infection Survey] through ONS was stopped in March 2023, and no precision medicine studies were funded including no funding for mechanistic studies as part of Stimulate-lCP. The latter means that Stimulate-I GP may not be able to identify any variability in response to treatments that would inform next steps. There remains a substantial number of people suffering from Long Covid and there remain unanswered questions about causes, diagnostic tests and any specific treatments. In contrast, the UK's early response to Long Covid during the pandemic in terms of research was better than compared with other countries for example the National Institute of Health Recover initiative started in February 2021 (albeit a sizeable investment of over $1 billion) with awards being made in summer 2021 and 2022 [recovercovid.org] The crisis we faced due to acute Covid has subsided and correctly health priorities have been reset to address other acute and long-term conditions. However, Long Covid is now amongst these important long-term conditions and requires support commensurate to the scale of the problem i.e., research funding should be similar to other long-term conditions with a similar burden of symptoms and impact on quality of life.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:idf6m3amxguxiftesf7y24hd/bafkreifcehvjcyhnwfgsmyefbsm22u3ef6ef2jwxz3yrlegfqwqxchds3y@jpeg)
November 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM
This paragraph from Brightling and Evans' report is very concerning.
The government stopped the long-term follow-up of cohort studies in 2021. 🤦
The government stopped the long-term follow-up of cohort studies in 2021. 🤦
Reposted by Chris Ponting
Come to Edinburgh to study genomics and human disease!
We are recruiting to our 4 year PhD programme - closing date 11th January 2026
institute-genetics-cancer.ed.ac.uk/igc-graduate...
We are recruiting to our 4 year PhD programme - closing date 11th January 2026
institute-genetics-cancer.ed.ac.uk/igc-graduate...
MRC four-year International PhD programme: Human Genetics, Genomics and Disease | IGC Graduate Research & Training | Institute of Genetics and Cancer
Applications now open.
institute-genetics-cancer.ed.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Come to Edinburgh to study genomics and human disease!
We are recruiting to our 4 year PhD programme - closing date 11th January 2026
institute-genetics-cancer.ed.ac.uk/igc-graduate...
We are recruiting to our 4 year PhD programme - closing date 11th January 2026
institute-genetics-cancer.ed.ac.uk/igc-graduate...
Reposted by Chris Ponting
Being interdisciplinary needs the courage to be misunderstood, to never completely fit in, to not get all inside jokes, trends, or status markers.
It requires us to sit with the discomfort of simultaneously entertaining opposing views, to resist being shamed or guilted into someone else’s truth.
It requires us to sit with the discomfort of simultaneously entertaining opposing views, to resist being shamed or guilted into someone else’s truth.
November 24, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Being interdisciplinary needs the courage to be misunderstood, to never completely fit in, to not get all inside jokes, trends, or status markers.
It requires us to sit with the discomfort of simultaneously entertaining opposing views, to resist being shamed or guilted into someone else’s truth.
It requires us to sit with the discomfort of simultaneously entertaining opposing views, to resist being shamed or guilted into someone else’s truth.
Reposted by Chris Ponting
Becoming interdisciplinary takes longer than mastering one discipline or switching between a few without return. Being Interdisciplinary means switching POV but always returning, like homeostasis. The different disciplines come & go like different phases of breath, breathing an air of understanding.
November 23, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Becoming interdisciplinary takes longer than mastering one discipline or switching between a few without return. Being Interdisciplinary means switching POV but always returning, like homeostasis. The different disciplines come & go like different phases of breath, breathing an air of understanding.
Reposted by Chris Ponting
I'm looking for top-notch candidate for a fully-funded PhD working on role of somatic mutations in ageing immune decline. Ideal for wet-lab or quantitative candidates. Fantastic collaboration with Prof Martin Taylor in Edinburgh THE UK expert in mutations.
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 AM
I'm looking for top-notch candidate for a fully-funded PhD working on role of somatic mutations in ageing immune decline. Ideal for wet-lab or quantitative candidates. Fantastic collaboration with Prof Martin Taylor in Edinburgh THE UK expert in mutations.
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Reposted by Chris Ponting
"It may be uncomfortable to conclude that a widely used study design has been producing spurious results. But the evidence is in, and telling uncomfortable truths is a part of doing science."
Problems with twin studies.
theinfinitesimal.substack.com/p/the-missin...
Problems with twin studies.
theinfinitesimal.substack.com/p/the-missin...
The missing heritability question is now (mostly) answered
Not with a bang but with a whimper
theinfinitesimal.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:03 PM
"It may be uncomfortable to conclude that a widely used study design has been producing spurious results. But the evidence is in, and telling uncomfortable truths is a part of doing science."
Problems with twin studies.
theinfinitesimal.substack.com/p/the-missin...
Problems with twin studies.
theinfinitesimal.substack.com/p/the-missin...
Reposted by Chris Ponting
I want to extend my full support to staff threatened with compulsory redundancy at the University of Edinburgh.
I have today written to the Principal imploring him to change direction.
I have today written to the Principal imploring him to change direction.
November 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I want to extend my full support to staff threatened with compulsory redundancy at the University of Edinburgh.
I have today written to the Principal imploring him to change direction.
I have today written to the Principal imploring him to change direction.
Reposted by Chris Ponting
1) INFO FOR RESEARCHERS: The charity ME Research UK (MERUK) has an open call for PhD-level research funding.
Applicants should submit an Outline Proposal Form before Friday, 9 January 2026.
Applicants should submit an Outline Proposal Form before Friday, 9 January 2026.
November 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM
1) INFO FOR RESEARCHERS: The charity ME Research UK (MERUK) has an open call for PhD-level research funding.
Applicants should submit an Outline Proposal Form before Friday, 9 January 2026.
Applicants should submit an Outline Proposal Form before Friday, 9 January 2026.
Reposted by Chris Ponting
Doing your own research isn’t a bad thing, I tell my patients. But just how will they spot the fraudulent papers? | Ranjana Srivastava
Doing your own research isn’t a bad thing, I tell my patients. But just how will they spot the fraudulent papers? | Ranjana Srivastava
While every self-aware doctor knows no one is an expert on everything, the average person turning to the internet cannot distinguish evidence from gloss
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Doing your own research isn’t a bad thing, I tell my patients. But just how will they spot the fraudulent papers? | Ranjana Srivastava
Reposted by Chris Ponting
New Booklet: Prevalence of ME/CFS in the UK
This new booklet summarises the latest research and historic estimates, how many people in the UK have ME/CFS, and the impact of Covid-19 on these estimates.
Download the booklet: https://meassociation.org.uk/yb89
#pwME #MECFS #Prevelance #LongCovid
This new booklet summarises the latest research and historic estimates, how many people in the UK have ME/CFS, and the impact of Covid-19 on these estimates.
Download the booklet: https://meassociation.org.uk/yb89
#pwME #MECFS #Prevelance #LongCovid
New Booklet: Prevalence of ME/CFS in the UK - The ME Association
In July 2025, the ME Association updated the estimates it […]
meassociation.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 12:05 PM
New Booklet: Prevalence of ME/CFS in the UK
This new booklet summarises the latest research and historic estimates, how many people in the UK have ME/CFS, and the impact of Covid-19 on these estimates.
Download the booklet: https://meassociation.org.uk/yb89
#pwME #MECFS #Prevelance #LongCovid
This new booklet summarises the latest research and historic estimates, how many people in the UK have ME/CFS, and the impact of Covid-19 on these estimates.
Download the booklet: https://meassociation.org.uk/yb89
#pwME #MECFS #Prevelance #LongCovid
Reposted by Chris Ponting
1) 🇺🇸 The RECOVER study published its data on Long COVID trajectories.
Of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection, 5% had persistently high Long COVID-related symptom burden. An additional 12% had a high burden that fluctuated but did not improve over time.
Of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection, 5% had persistently high Long COVID-related symptom burden. An additional 12% had a high burden that fluctuated but did not improve over time.
November 18, 2025 at 8:43 AM
1) 🇺🇸 The RECOVER study published its data on Long COVID trajectories.
Of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection, 5% had persistently high Long COVID-related symptom burden. An additional 12% had a high burden that fluctuated but did not improve over time.
Of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 infection, 5% had persistently high Long COVID-related symptom burden. An additional 12% had a high burden that fluctuated but did not improve over time.
Reposted by Chris Ponting
Available to buy now: One Red Leaf at a Time Greetings Cards.
All proceeds go to our #MEcfs research @uoe-igc.bsky.social.
Thank you @drjogreer.bsky.social & Dr Clare Raynor!
theredtreeandme.substack.com/p/one-red-le...
#oneredleafatatime
All proceeds go to our #MEcfs research @uoe-igc.bsky.social.
Thank you @drjogreer.bsky.social & Dr Clare Raynor!
theredtreeandme.substack.com/p/one-red-le...
#oneredleafatatime
One Red Leaf at a Time Greetings Cards - Raising funds for research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Since so many of you have asked, greetings cards featuring images from the Red Leaf Creative Collaborative are now available to purchase.
theredtreeandme.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Available to buy now: One Red Leaf at a Time Greetings Cards.
All proceeds go to our #MEcfs research @uoe-igc.bsky.social.
Thank you @drjogreer.bsky.social & Dr Clare Raynor!
theredtreeandme.substack.com/p/one-red-le...
#oneredleafatatime
All proceeds go to our #MEcfs research @uoe-igc.bsky.social.
Thank you @drjogreer.bsky.social & Dr Clare Raynor!
theredtreeandme.substack.com/p/one-red-le...
#oneredleafatatime
Reposted by Chris Ponting
New📢
Between molecular and human traits is a yawning gap: What do molecules do to single cells?
We tested *all* human or mouse miRNA mimics for their cell morphological effects on 5 cell lines.
To do so, we applied Cell Painting at the *single cell* level (100,000+ images).
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Between molecular and human traits is a yawning gap: What do molecules do to single cells?
We tested *all* human or mouse miRNA mimics for their cell morphological effects on 5 cell lines.
To do so, we applied Cell Painting at the *single cell* level (100,000+ images).
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Systematic morphological profiling of human and mouse miRNAs in 24M single cells
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression whose contributions to cell biology remain underexplored. Here, we used Cell Painting to quantify the morphological effect of ...
doi.org
November 16, 2025 at 10:33 AM
New📢
Between molecular and human traits is a yawning gap: What do molecules do to single cells?
We tested *all* human or mouse miRNA mimics for their cell morphological effects on 5 cell lines.
To do so, we applied Cell Painting at the *single cell* level (100,000+ images).
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Between molecular and human traits is a yawning gap: What do molecules do to single cells?
We tested *all* human or mouse miRNA mimics for their cell morphological effects on 5 cell lines.
To do so, we applied Cell Painting at the *single cell* level (100,000+ images).
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Available to buy now: One Red Leaf at a Time Greetings Cards.
All proceeds go to our #MEcfs research @uoe-igc.bsky.social.
Thank you @drjogreer.bsky.social & Dr Clare Raynor!
theredtreeandme.substack.com/p/one-red-le...
#oneredleafatatime
All proceeds go to our #MEcfs research @uoe-igc.bsky.social.
Thank you @drjogreer.bsky.social & Dr Clare Raynor!
theredtreeandme.substack.com/p/one-red-le...
#oneredleafatatime
One Red Leaf at a Time Greetings Cards - Raising funds for research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Since so many of you have asked, greetings cards featuring images from the Red Leaf Creative Collaborative are now available to purchase.
theredtreeandme.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Available to buy now: One Red Leaf at a Time Greetings Cards.
All proceeds go to our #MEcfs research @uoe-igc.bsky.social.
Thank you @drjogreer.bsky.social & Dr Clare Raynor!
theredtreeandme.substack.com/p/one-red-le...
#oneredleafatatime
All proceeds go to our #MEcfs research @uoe-igc.bsky.social.
Thank you @drjogreer.bsky.social & Dr Clare Raynor!
theredtreeandme.substack.com/p/one-red-le...
#oneredleafatatime
New📢
Between molecular and human traits is a yawning gap: What do molecules do to single cells?
We tested *all* human or mouse miRNA mimics for their cell morphological effects on 5 cell lines.
To do so, we applied Cell Painting at the *single cell* level (100,000+ images).
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Between molecular and human traits is a yawning gap: What do molecules do to single cells?
We tested *all* human or mouse miRNA mimics for their cell morphological effects on 5 cell lines.
To do so, we applied Cell Painting at the *single cell* level (100,000+ images).
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Systematic morphological profiling of human and mouse miRNAs in 24M single cells
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression whose contributions to cell biology remain underexplored. Here, we used Cell Painting to quantify the morphological effect of ...
doi.org
November 16, 2025 at 10:33 AM
New📢
Between molecular and human traits is a yawning gap: What do molecules do to single cells?
We tested *all* human or mouse miRNA mimics for their cell morphological effects on 5 cell lines.
To do so, we applied Cell Painting at the *single cell* level (100,000+ images).
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Between molecular and human traits is a yawning gap: What do molecules do to single cells?
We tested *all* human or mouse miRNA mimics for their cell morphological effects on 5 cell lines.
To do so, we applied Cell Painting at the *single cell* level (100,000+ images).
doi.org/10.1101/2025...
Welcome to the consequences of our burning of fossil fuels, our plane journeys, our submission to oil companies. Here are the consequences today, and they may well be lapping at your door, coming up through your floor, or your family’s/friends’ soon. Turn the tide.
www.facebook.com/reel/2089524...
www.facebook.com/reel/2089524...
1.2K views · 1.4K reactions | At 2am this morning my town flooded.
It looks like the flood defence walls have either broken or been topped. The Monnow is rampant in the town.
There a guy trapped in...
At 2am this morning my town flooded.
It looks like the flood defence walls have either broken or been topped. The Monnow is rampant in the town.
There a guy trapped in an ally opposite.
This is...
www.facebook.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Welcome to the consequences of our burning of fossil fuels, our plane journeys, our submission to oil companies. Here are the consequences today, and they may well be lapping at your door, coming up through your floor, or your family’s/friends’ soon. Turn the tide.
www.facebook.com/reel/2089524...
www.facebook.com/reel/2089524...
Reposted by Chris Ponting
Regretfully (for the sake of the authors and journal staff), I have this morning declined an invitation to review for a @royalsociety.org journal because of the Society’s continued refusal to stand up for its values in dealing with Elon Musk FRS.
November 14, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Regretfully (for the sake of the authors and journal staff), I have this morning declined an invitation to review for a @royalsociety.org journal because of the Society’s continued refusal to stand up for its values in dealing with Elon Musk FRS.
Reposted by Chris Ponting
Come and join us here in Cambridge! Applications open for a new faculty position, for a researcher in computational and/or theoretical biology, based jointly in Genetics and Mathematics. Happy to answer questions about research, teaching and working here.
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/faculty...
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/faculty...
Faculty Position in Computational Biology
Applications are invited for an Assistant/ Associate Professorship in Computational Biology to commence on 1 April 2026 or shortly thereafter. This is a joint post between the Department of Applied
www.cam.ac.uk
November 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Come and join us here in Cambridge! Applications open for a new faculty position, for a researcher in computational and/or theoretical biology, based jointly in Genetics and Mathematics. Happy to answer questions about research, teaching and working here.
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/faculty...
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/faculty...
Thank you to the HCP who wrote to us about the real-world impact of our @decodemestudy.bsky.social study:
November 9, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Thank you to the HCP who wrote to us about the real-world impact of our @decodemestudy.bsky.social study:
Reposted by Chris Ponting
When people celebrate the individual genius of folks in science, they should also
mourn the collective loss of genius of folks who were actively discouraged or disadvantaged from a career in science because of the same person(s)
mourn the collective loss of genius of folks who were actively discouraged or disadvantaged from a career in science because of the same person(s)
November 7, 2025 at 11:43 PM
When people celebrate the individual genius of folks in science, they should also
mourn the collective loss of genius of folks who were actively discouraged or disadvantaged from a career in science because of the same person(s)
mourn the collective loss of genius of folks who were actively discouraged or disadvantaged from a career in science because of the same person(s)
Reposted by Chris Ponting
Interested in ME/CFS research?
Want to do a PhD with @aryback.bsky.social, @avakhamseh.bsky.social, @sjoerdvbeentjes.bsky.social & @cgatist.bsky.social?
Then apply for a *funded* Future Medicine PhD Fellowship.
See: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Please contact us to discuss before applying.
Want to do a PhD with @aryback.bsky.social, @avakhamseh.bsky.social, @sjoerdvbeentjes.bsky.social & @cgatist.bsky.social?
Then apply for a *funded* Future Medicine PhD Fellowship.
See: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Please contact us to discuss before applying.
Personalised blood-based biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) symptom severity at University of Edinburgh on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Personalised blood-based biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) symptom severity at University of Edinburgh, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Interested in ME/CFS research?
Want to do a PhD with @aryback.bsky.social, @avakhamseh.bsky.social, @sjoerdvbeentjes.bsky.social & @cgatist.bsky.social?
Then apply for a *funded* Future Medicine PhD Fellowship.
See: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Please contact us to discuss before applying.
Want to do a PhD with @aryback.bsky.social, @avakhamseh.bsky.social, @sjoerdvbeentjes.bsky.social & @cgatist.bsky.social?
Then apply for a *funded* Future Medicine PhD Fellowship.
See: www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Please contact us to discuss before applying.
Reposted by Chris Ponting
Ration flying now
True impact of your flying several times higher than commonly used CO₂ calculators suggest
For example current calculations for first class from Singapore to Zurich on B777 plane, say it emits 5000 kg when in fact its 14,000 kg #climate
www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
True impact of your flying several times higher than commonly used CO₂ calculators suggest
For example current calculations for first class from Singapore to Zurich on B777 plane, say it emits 5000 kg when in fact its 14,000 kg #climate
www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
Your flight emissions are way higher than carbon calculators suggest
Existing tools that work out the carbon footprint of flights greatly underestimate their warming impact, say the makers of a new calculator
www.newscientist.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Ration flying now
True impact of your flying several times higher than commonly used CO₂ calculators suggest
For example current calculations for first class from Singapore to Zurich on B777 plane, say it emits 5000 kg when in fact its 14,000 kg #climate
www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
True impact of your flying several times higher than commonly used CO₂ calculators suggest
For example current calculations for first class from Singapore to Zurich on B777 plane, say it emits 5000 kg when in fact its 14,000 kg #climate
www.newscientist.com/article/2502...
Reposted by Chris Ponting
In collaboration with WWTF (a big non-profit in Vienna dedicated to science), the WE&ME has created ME/CFS fellowships: 6-month research stays with funding of up to € 40,000.
www.wwtf.at/funding/prog...
Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update
#ChronicFatigueSyndrome #MEcfs #CFS #PwME
www.wwtf.at/funding/prog...
Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update
#ChronicFatigueSyndrome #MEcfs #CFS #PwME
November 3, 2025 at 11:48 PM
In collaboration with WWTF (a big non-profit in Vienna dedicated to science), the WE&ME has created ME/CFS fellowships: 6-month research stays with funding of up to € 40,000.
www.wwtf.at/funding/prog...
Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update
#ChronicFatigueSyndrome #MEcfs #CFS #PwME
www.wwtf.at/funding/prog...
Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update
#ChronicFatigueSyndrome #MEcfs #CFS #PwME
Reposted by Chris Ponting
