Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Chandrika Rao

Drug Monkey @drugmonkey.bsky.social · 1d

NewThink

anil oza @aniloza.bsky.social · 2d

Here is a sampling of the kinds of changes we saw in the >700 grants

Chart with two columns, the first with the old title and second with new titles. Old titles show in red what was removed, and in the second column what was added in green.

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Chandrika Rao @chandrrrika.bsky.social · 11d

Interested to give this one a go 👀

Iain Cheeseman @iaincheeseman.bsky.social · 11d

Today @anthropic.com released PubMed integration for Claude. No hallucinations. Just real science, real data. As a beta tester, this has been game changing— a supercharged research tool. Here are 6 prompts that will transform how you search the literature. A 🧵

www.anthropic.com/news/claude-...

Claude for Life Sciences

Discover how Claude accelerates life sciences research with new scientific connectors, skills, and improved performance for drug discovery and clinical work.

www.anthropic.com

Reposted by Chandrika Rao

Mark Peifer (He, him) @peiferlabunc.bsky.social · 26d

Fascinating thread about the identification of one of the first genes with a clear role in human speech and language! Extra credit for those who dig in to find out why its called a "forkhead domain" 🧪

Simon Fisher @profsimonfisher.bsky.social · 27d

Twenty-four years ago today, our paper “A forkhead-domain gene is mutated in a severe speech and language disorder” was published: www.nature.com/articles/350....
A personal thread about the ups & downs of the journey we took to get to that point....1/n
🗣️🧬🧪

Image shows the first two printed pages of the paper “A forkhead-domain gene is mutated in a severe speech and language disorder” by Cecilia Lai and colleagues, published in Nature in 2001 (volume 413, pages 519-523). The abstract reads as follows:
Individuals affected with developmental disorders of speech and language have substantial difficulty acquiring expressive and/or receptive language in the absence of any profound sensory or neurological impairment and despite adequate intelligence and opportunity. Although studies of twins consistently indicate that a significant genetic component is involved, most families segregating speech and language deficits show complex patterns of inheritance, and a gene that predisposes individuals to such disorders has not been identified. We have studied a unique three-generation pedigree, KE, in which a severe speech and language disorder is transmitted as an autosomal-dominant monogenic trait. Our previous work mapped the locus responsible, SPCH1, to a 5.6-cM interval of region 7q31 on chromosome 7. We also identified an unrelated individual, CS, in whom speech and language impairment is associated with a chromosomal translocation involving the SPCH1 interval. Here we show that the gene FOXP2, which encodes a putative transcription factor containing a polyglutamine tract and a forkhead DNA-binding domain, is directly disrupted by the translocation breakpoint in CS. In addition, we identify a point mutation in affected members of the KE family that alters an invariant amino-acid residue in the forkhead domain. Our findings suggest that FOXP2 is involved in the developmental process that culminates in speech and language.

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Ashley Kalinski @kalinskilab.bsky.social · Aug 11

Hey #neuroscience #neuroskyence we are hiring a Distinguished Chair of Neuroscience at the University of South Carolina (uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/190...)

We have a vibrant neuroscience community with extensive university support for research. I am extremely happy here. Come join us!

Peter and Bonnie McCausland Distinguished Chair in Neuroscience

uscjobs.sc.edu

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Sten Linnarsson @sten.linnarsson.org · Jun 25

A major KI initiative to recruit new assistant professors with outstanding proposals in all areas of medicine, biomedicine and public health. We offer an amazing research environment, great colleagues and generous startup packages. Check it out and get working on your applications! (repost please!)

Karolinska Institutet @ki.se · Jun 25

Applications are now open! We are recruiting 20 Assistant Professors in a wide range of subject areas. We're looking for early-career researchers with strong scientific merits and future potential.
🔗 All positions: ki.se/en/about-ki/...

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Selina Wray @selinawray.bsky.social · May 11

A nice read and ICYMI here is our cited paper from the end of last year on the microglia contribution to Familial British Dementia:

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

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Reposted by Chandrika Rao

alexlish.bsky.social @alexlish.bsky.social · Apr 30

Thrilled to share my first first-author paper is out
@cp-neuron.bsky.social! We show that Alzheimer's disease protective CLU alleles upregulate CLU in response to neuropathology, dampening inflammatory signaling between microglia and astrocytes.

Read here www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

CLU alleviates Alzheimer’s disease-relevant processes by modulating astrocyte reactivity and microglia-dependent synaptic density

Genetic studies implicate clusterin (CLU) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), yet its precise molecular impact remains unclear. Through u…

www.sciencedirect.com

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Alice Callahan @alicecallahan.bsky.social · Apr 16

My story about @kevinh-phd.bsky.social, nutrition and metabolism scientist at N.I.H., who felt compelled to take early retirement after experiencing censorship of his work under the new administration. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/w...

Leading Nutrition Scientist Departs N.I.H., Citing Censorship (Gift Article)

Kevin Hall said his work on ultraprocessed foods has been “hobbled” under the Trump administration. Scientists have been raising such concerns for months.

www.nytimes.com

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Chandrika Rao @chandrrrika.bsky.social · Apr 10

Our review on human models of Alzheimer's just made the cover! Great to have the opportunity to highlight the exciting advances being made towards understanding microglia's crucial role in neurodegeneration 🔎 🧠 Read here: authors.elsevier.com/c/1knwq5Eb0R.... Cover image credit: Giulia Mezzadri

Journal cover of Trends in Immunology, Volume 46, Number 4, April 2025, ISSN 1471-4906. The cover features a striking design with a dark navy background and a triangular prism splitting light into a colorful spectrum below. The spectrum shows different immune cells illustrated in rainbow colors (red, yellow, green, blue, and purple bands) with microglial and immune cells visible throughout.

First page of review article entitled "Decoding microglial functions in Alzheimer's disease: insights from human models". Authors: Chandrika Rao, Stefan Semrau, Valentina Fossati. Journal: Trends in Immunology. Abstract: Microglia, key orchestrators of the brain's immune responses, play a pivotal role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Emerging human models, including stem cell-derived microglia and cerebral organoids, are transforming our understanding of microglial contributions to AD pathology. In this review, we highlight how these models have uncovered human-specific microglial responses to amyloid plaques and their regulation of neuroinflammation, which are not recapitulated in animal models. We also illustrate how advanced human models that better mimic brain physiology and AD pathology are providing unprecedented insights into the multifaceted roles of microglia. These innovative approaches, combined with sophisticated technologies for cell editing and analysis, are shaping AD research and opening new avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting microglia.

Circular diagram showing different human models for studying microglia in Alzheimer's disease. The center shows a microglial cell with increasing 'complexity' of human models as the central theme. The diagram is divided into colored segments representing different approaches: post-mortem brain (purple), iPSC-microglia (red), co-cultures (orange), 3D organoids (yellow), assembloids (green), organ-on-a-chip (blue), and chimeric mouse (pink). Each segment includes details on relevant research applications and methodology boxes, such as pathological characterization, gene editing, cell-cell interactions, and functional environments.

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cmn-vib.bsky.social @cmn-vib.bsky.social · Apr 7

Brand new review by the @mancusorenzo.bsky.social lab on microglial heterogeneity: Laura Fumagalli et al. dive into transcriptional states across development, disease, sex & CNS regions—plus annotation tools.

Out now in Nature Neuroscience:
📄 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-025-01931-4

Microglia heterogeneity, modeling and cell-state annotation in development and neurodegeneration - Nature Neuroscience

Microglia have key roles in CNS development and neurodegeneration. Here, the authors provide an overview of microglia heterogeneity, cell-state annotation and model systems.

www.nature.com

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Chandrika Rao @chandrrrika.bsky.social · Mar 25

@civia-aarhus.bsky.social oh no, sorry about that! Correct link here authors.elsevier.com/c/1knwq5Eb0R...

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Chandrika Rao @chandrrrika.bsky.social · Mar 24

Very pleased to share our new review on human models of Alzheimer’s disease, and what they reveal about the role of microglia in neurodegeneration. At such a time, it was a great pleasure to celebrate the outstanding science emerging in this field 🙌🏽 authors.elsevier.com/c/1knwq5Eb0R...

Figure 1. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human models of increasing complexity complement animal models and human postmortem tissue studies to elucidate the roles of microglia in AD. These models range from reductionist systems, such as iPSC-microglia in monocultures, to more complex 3D organoids/assembloids integrated into mouse brains or organ-on-chip systems. Each approach offers distinct advantages for dissecting molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in AD. Integrating these models with advanced technologies such as gene editing and single-cell resolution analyses may enable the discovery of novel microglia-specific therapeutic targets.

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Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · Mar 10

Excellent story in the Guardian about funds for Alzheimer's disease research centers being held up by the Federal Register-Advisory Council issue.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Alzheimer’s research centers face Trump-imposed $65m funding delay across the US

Researchers report difficulties retaining staff as White House cost-cutting stresses US medical research system

www.theguardian.com

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BWJones @bwjones.bsky.social · Feb 27

By @katherinejwu.com

"The NIH... supported 99 percent of the drugs approved in the U.S. from 2010 to 2019. The agency has had a hand in “nearly all of our major medical breakthroughs over the past several decades,”

The NIH is in a struggle for its (and our) lives. This is existential to America:

Inside the Collapse at NIH

Administration officials pressured NIH to avoid clear advice from the agency’s own lawyers to restart grant funding now.

www.theatlantic.com

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Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · Feb 22

Graduate admissions being put on hold because of the chaos...

Carolyn Ibberson @cbibberson.bsky.social · Feb 22

I created a brief spreadsheet of reductions I've heard of so far. Any additions you know of (especially if you have the links/receipts) would be great: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Graduate Reductions Across Biomedical Sciences (2025)

docs.google.com

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BWJones @bwjones.bsky.social · Feb 19

This is important.

@avaskham.bsky.social is doing critical work here reporting details in @thetransmitter.bsky.social that I’ve seen nowhere else in reporting on the NIH / NSF funding crisis.

The Transmitter @thetransmitter.bsky.social · Feb 18

A large portion of grants awarded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health cannot be funded for the foreseeable future because of an indefinite hold on submissions to the Federal Register, according to an email reviewed by The Transmitter.

By @avaskham.bsky.social

bit.ly/3X8ngz8

Federal Register hold makes ‘end run’ around court pause on NIH funding freeze

www.thetransmitter.org

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George Davey Smith @mendelrandom.bsky.social · Feb 10

Excellent explainer by @philipcball.bsky.social on why now more than ever scientists need to resist the logic of "anticipatory obedience" www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/scie...

Scientific institutions have a long history of anticipatory obedience

Societies should learn from this and speak up to support inclusion

www.chemistryworld.com

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Chandrika Rao @chandrrrika.bsky.social · Jan 28

An essential, if not terrifying, thread summarising how US science has been brought to its knees in the space of just one week

Carl Zimmer @carlzimmer.com · Jan 28

American science and medicine has been thrown into chaos and uncertainty over the past week. Here are some stories to get up to speed. 1/12

Chandrika Rao @chandrrrika.bsky.social · Jan 14

V useful tips for new PIs and beyond. Should be mandatory reading for research group leaders at all stages! “A positive research environment is one where team members are empowered, recognised, have a clear career developmental pathway, and can contribute to impactful and reproducible research.”

Adrian Liston @labliston.bsky.social · Jan 14

Our paper on nurturing a #PositiveResearchCulture within your #research #team published by @wellcometrust.bsky.social gives useful tips for your lab. As well as making you a good team leader, nurturing culture pays off in building your science: 1/11

wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/9-3...

wellcomeopenresearch.org

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Chandrika Rao @chandrrrika.bsky.social · Dec 28

@the-node.bsky.social do you have a current link please? Posted one doesn’t work!

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Chandrika Rao @chandrrrika.bsky.social · Dec 3

Great example of transparency and useful guidance on peer review from @dev-journal.bsky.social

Sally Lowell @cellysally.bsky.social · Dec 3

Highly-respected non-profit journals like @dev-journal.bsky.social support scientific communities

But after rejection at glam journals, it is tempting to avoid re-review by sliding through commercial ecosystems

BUT WAIT! LOOK! “We will consider papers with reviewer reports from other journals” 😍

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Reposted by Chandrika Rao

John Wallingford @jbwallingford.bsky.social · Dec 2

Welcome to the #devbiolwriteclub Bluesky Boot Camp! I’ll be posting here regularly with thoughts and exercises to help scientists become better writers. Let’s start by managing expectations: I will NOT help you write better. I WILL help you become a better writer. 🧵 1/10

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Carolyn Bertozzi @carolynbertozzi.bskyverified.social · Nov 23

Now more than ever the world should learn about the life and impact of @stanfordmedicine.bsky.social neuroscientist Ben Barres, the movie is underway! @atqmovie.bsky.social

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Chandrika Rao @chandrrrika.bsky.social · Nov 22

Great post on using AI in academia! Use more effective prompts, get over “blank page syndrome”, and be prepared to iterate. Eager to try out some of the other use cases…

Anne Carpenter @drannecarpenter.bsky.social · Oct 29

Blog post on using AI in academia from @arjunraj.bsky.social and the great folks at Mid Career PI Slack!

Finally, a How To guide for how to use AI effectively in academia.

arjun-raj-lab.gitbook.io/arjun-rajs-t...

Using AI in academia | Arjun Raj's Tools For Science

Arjun Raj, with input from Anne Carpenter and the members of Mid-Career PI Slack

arjun-raj-lab.gitbook.io

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Chandrika Rao @chandrrrika.bsky.social · Nov 20

I enjoy to be totally enveloped by Elverum. New #mounteerie record release show in Brooklyn last night was the ideal world-wallowing show #ishouldbewriting