Michael F. Wells
@mfwells.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Human Genetics @UCLA
mfwellslab.com
mfwellslab.com
Are you a senior grad student or new post-doc in genetics/genomics?
Apply now for the 2026 Emerging Genomic Scientist Symposium hosted by the UCLA Human Genetics department.
To apply: medschool.ucla.edu/about/depart...
DM me if you have any questions and please spread the word
Apply now for the 2026 Emerging Genomic Scientist Symposium hosted by the UCLA Human Genetics department.
To apply: medschool.ucla.edu/about/depart...
DM me if you have any questions and please spread the word
Human Genetics | Genomic Scientist Fellows | UCLA Medical School
The Emerging Genomic Scientist Fellows Program showcases innovative research from junior scientists
medschool.ucla.edu
December 8, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Are you a senior grad student or new post-doc in genetics/genomics?
Apply now for the 2026 Emerging Genomic Scientist Symposium hosted by the UCLA Human Genetics department.
To apply: medschool.ucla.edu/about/depart...
DM me if you have any questions and please spread the word
Apply now for the 2026 Emerging Genomic Scientist Symposium hosted by the UCLA Human Genetics department.
To apply: medschool.ucla.edu/about/depart...
DM me if you have any questions and please spread the word
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
We used rabies virus 👾 to map how #psilocybin modifies long-range circuits 🧠, revealing network-specific reorganization that we didn’t expect.
The full study is now online at Cell. @cp-cell.bsky.social
Paper 👉 www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Thread for a synopsis 👉
bsky.app/profile/alex...
The full study is now online at Cell. @cp-cell.bsky.social
Paper 👉 www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Thread for a synopsis 👉
bsky.app/profile/alex...
December 5, 2025 at 4:29 PM
We used rabies virus 👾 to map how #psilocybin modifies long-range circuits 🧠, revealing network-specific reorganization that we didn’t expect.
The full study is now online at Cell. @cp-cell.bsky.social
Paper 👉 www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Thread for a synopsis 👉
bsky.app/profile/alex...
The full study is now online at Cell. @cp-cell.bsky.social
Paper 👉 www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Thread for a synopsis 👉
bsky.app/profile/alex...
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
Someone get me (genetic epidemiologist) & my husband (school psychologist) on a podcast bc our rants on these people are...fiery. We spent 5y in the bay around these folks and oh boy.
I'm also so sick of these puff pieces that avoid saying plainly what this actually is. Shoddy science for eugenics.
I'm also so sick of these puff pieces that avoid saying plainly what this actually is. Shoddy science for eugenics.
December 2, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Someone get me (genetic epidemiologist) & my husband (school psychologist) on a podcast bc our rants on these people are...fiery. We spent 5y in the bay around these folks and oh boy.
I'm also so sick of these puff pieces that avoid saying plainly what this actually is. Shoddy science for eugenics.
I'm also so sick of these puff pieces that avoid saying plainly what this actually is. Shoddy science for eugenics.
Not to brag, but Steve gives a shout out to my 3-year-old son in the intro of this book.
(I lied, this is a brag)
(Also, go buy this book, it is great)
(I lied, this is a brag)
(Also, go buy this book, it is great)
Book launch day is here 🚀
How to Change a Memory, in physical and audio form: www.amazon.com/How-Change-M...
and here's a preview of one of the book's central themes: memories change and, as a result, we change too🧠.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/a...
How to Change a Memory, in physical and audio form: www.amazon.com/How-Change-M...
and here's a preview of one of the book's central themes: memories change and, as a result, we change too🧠.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/a...
How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist’s Quest to Alter the Past
Buy How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist’s Quest to Alter the Past on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders
www.amazon.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Not to brag, but Steve gives a shout out to my 3-year-old son in the intro of this book.
(I lied, this is a brag)
(Also, go buy this book, it is great)
(I lied, this is a brag)
(Also, go buy this book, it is great)
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
Applications are open for the Postdoctoral Enrichment Program (PDEP)—supporting postdocs as they advance cutting-edge research and build thriving scientific careers.
Learn more & apply: bwfund.org/pdep #bwfpdep
Learn more & apply: bwfund.org/pdep #bwfpdep
November 14, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Applications are open for the Postdoctoral Enrichment Program (PDEP)—supporting postdocs as they advance cutting-edge research and build thriving scientific careers.
Learn more & apply: bwfund.org/pdep #bwfpdep
Learn more & apply: bwfund.org/pdep #bwfpdep
Soooooo cool
Bart De Strooper's lab used microglia villages to show that Alzheimer’s polygenic risk translates into a stronger immune response to amyloid
assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-779...
Bart De Strooper's lab used microglia villages to show that Alzheimer’s polygenic risk translates into a stronger immune response to amyloid
assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-779...
assets-eu.researchsquare.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Soooooo cool
Bart De Strooper's lab used microglia villages to show that Alzheimer’s polygenic risk translates into a stronger immune response to amyloid
assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-779...
Bart De Strooper's lab used microglia villages to show that Alzheimer’s polygenic risk translates into a stronger immune response to amyloid
assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-779...
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
NEXT TUE: DDD seminar, Nov. 18, 2025 @ 1PM Eastern US: Continuing our focus on approaches to the study of many pluripotent stem cell lines, Dr. Michael Wells @mfwells.bsky.social will share his recent work on "cell villages". seminar info: carlocolantuoni.org/seminar [repost to spread the word]
SeminarPage | Carlo Colantuoni
carlocolantuoni.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:10 PM
NEXT TUE: DDD seminar, Nov. 18, 2025 @ 1PM Eastern US: Continuing our focus on approaches to the study of many pluripotent stem cell lines, Dr. Michael Wells @mfwells.bsky.social will share his recent work on "cell villages". seminar info: carlocolantuoni.org/seminar [repost to spread the word]
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
The first (of hopefully many) reports to come from our collaboration with @hjp.bsky.social
We present a new type of cell fitness assay that allows you to both quantify and explain differences across human donors in cell proliferation and sensitivity to environmental toxicants.
We present a new type of cell fitness assay that allows you to both quantify and explain differences across human donors in cell proliferation and sensitivity to environmental toxicants.
Cell villages and Dirichlet modeling map human cell fitness genetics https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.26.678880v1
September 30, 2025 at 7:17 PM
The first (of hopefully many) reports to come from our collaboration with @hjp.bsky.social
We present a new type of cell fitness assay that allows you to both quantify and explain differences across human donors in cell proliferation and sensitivity to environmental toxicants.
We present a new type of cell fitness assay that allows you to both quantify and explain differences across human donors in cell proliferation and sensitivity to environmental toxicants.
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
Super excited to get this out. This collab started a few years ago and is the first paper from it. Here, with experimental and computational approaches we:
1. establish that cell villages can be just as accurate (one might argue more accurate!) than arrayed-based designs
bsky.app/profile/bior...
1. establish that cell villages can be just as accurate (one might argue more accurate!) than arrayed-based designs
bsky.app/profile/bior...
Cell villages and Dirichlet modeling map human cell fitness genetics https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.26.678880v1
September 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Super excited to get this out. This collab started a few years ago and is the first paper from it. Here, with experimental and computational approaches we:
1. establish that cell villages can be just as accurate (one might argue more accurate!) than arrayed-based designs
bsky.app/profile/bior...
1. establish that cell villages can be just as accurate (one might argue more accurate!) than arrayed-based designs
bsky.app/profile/bior...
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
New #cilia preprint alert
Our latest manuscript is now live on bioRxiv:
"The Neuronal Primary Cilium is a Key Regulator of Homeostatic Plasticity"
We hope you enjoy reading it!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Our latest manuscript is now live on bioRxiv:
"The Neuronal Primary Cilium is a Key Regulator of Homeostatic Plasticity"
We hope you enjoy reading it!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
The Neuronal Primary Cilium is a Key Regulator of Homeostatic Plasticity
The capacity of neurons to maintain stable activity levels through homeostatic plasticity is essential for proper brain function. Primary cilia, which are non-motile, antenna-like organelles projectin...
www.biorxiv.org
September 1, 2025 at 10:12 PM
New #cilia preprint alert
Our latest manuscript is now live on bioRxiv:
"The Neuronal Primary Cilium is a Key Regulator of Homeostatic Plasticity"
We hope you enjoy reading it!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Our latest manuscript is now live on bioRxiv:
"The Neuronal Primary Cilium is a Key Regulator of Homeostatic Plasticity"
We hope you enjoy reading it!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
CRISPR activation restores expression of a haploinsufficient neuronal sodium channel, rescuing neuronal deficits associated with multiple neurodevelopmental disorders. #NBThighlight www.nature.com/articles/s41...
CRISPR activation for SCN2A-related neurodevelopmental disorders - Nature
Using SCN2A haploinsufficiency as a proof-of-concept, upregulation of the existing functional gene copy through CRISPR activation was able to rescue neurological-associated phenotypes in Scn2a haploin...
www.nature.com
September 18, 2025 at 11:33 AM
CRISPR activation restores expression of a haploinsufficient neuronal sodium channel, rescuing neuronal deficits associated with multiple neurodevelopmental disorders. #NBThighlight www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
Good morning everyone!
So, I wrote a book (!!) and it’s coming out November 4th in physical and audiobook form. It’s called *How to Change a Memory*
www.amazon.com/How-Change-M...
So, I wrote a book (!!) and it’s coming out November 4th in physical and audiobook form. It’s called *How to Change a Memory*
www.amazon.com/How-Change-M...
How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist’s Quest to Alter the Past
Buy How to Change a Memory: One Neuroscientist’s Quest to Alter the Past on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders
www.amazon.com
September 8, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Good morning everyone!
So, I wrote a book (!!) and it’s coming out November 4th in physical and audiobook form. It’s called *How to Change a Memory*
www.amazon.com/How-Change-M...
So, I wrote a book (!!) and it’s coming out November 4th in physical and audiobook form. It’s called *How to Change a Memory*
www.amazon.com/How-Change-M...
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
ICYMI
Alarming levels of Pfas in blood of those living near US air force base, study finds
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ were found at a level 10 times higher than people who did not work in contaminated zone
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Alarming levels of Pfas in blood of those living near US air force base, study finds
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ were found at a level 10 times higher than people who did not work in contaminated zone
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Alarming levels of Pfas in blood of those living near US air force base, study finds
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ were found at a level 10 times higher than people who did not work in contaminated zone
www.theguardian.com
August 24, 2025 at 8:54 AM
ICYMI
Alarming levels of Pfas in blood of those living near US air force base, study finds
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ were found at a level 10 times higher than people who did not work in contaminated zone
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Alarming levels of Pfas in blood of those living near US air force base, study finds
Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ were found at a level 10 times higher than people who did not work in contaminated zone
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
Air pollution from oil and gas is linked to 91,000 premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of health issues across the United States each year—with Black, Asian, Native American and Hispanic groups consistently among the most affected.
time.com/7311655/us-o...
time.com/7311655/us-o...
91,000 Premature Deaths Each Year Linked to US Air Pollution
Air pollution from oil and gas production and use in the U.S. has an enormous health toll. A new study tallies the cost.
time.com
August 23, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Air pollution from oil and gas is linked to 91,000 premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of health issues across the United States each year—with Black, Asian, Native American and Hispanic groups consistently among the most affected.
time.com/7311655/us-o...
time.com/7311655/us-o...
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
I wrote about how genetic risk works in the context of embryo selection and how people often think about it all wrong. A short 🧵:
What we talk about when we talk about risk
How embryo selection exploits our flawed intuitions about risk
open.substack.com
August 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I wrote about how genetic risk works in the context of embryo selection and how people often think about it all wrong. A short 🧵:
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
Bittersweet to be leaving @docedge.bsky.social after a wonderful postdoc, but excited to share that I'm joining @uoregon.bsky.social next month as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Data Science.
August 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Bittersweet to be leaving @docedge.bsky.social after a wonderful postdoc, but excited to share that I'm joining @uoregon.bsky.social next month as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Data Science.
Hundreds of millions of dollars suspended for cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's research (among many, many other equally important diseases and endeavors) and for what? What is the point of all of this? Help me understand how this makes our country better, stronger, and healthier in any way.
The massive list of suspended UCLA grants came out today: 300 NSF and 500 NIH grants. I am miraculously not on the list, but this is devastating. Science will be lost, progress will be frozen, people will lose jobs, and careers in science and medicine are being destroyed. This is not ok.
August 1, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Hundreds of millions of dollars suspended for cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's research (among many, many other equally important diseases and endeavors) and for what? What is the point of all of this? Help me understand how this makes our country better, stronger, and healthier in any way.
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
New snake oil just dropped
And proudly boosting the nazi approval, bold business strategy!
And proudly boosting the nazi approval, bold business strategy!
July 30, 2025 at 8:36 PM
New snake oil just dropped
And proudly boosting the nazi approval, bold business strategy!
And proudly boosting the nazi approval, bold business strategy!
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
The NIH budget will INCREASE by $400 million — not slashed by 40%, as Trump proposed — according to a proposal by Senate appropriators, says Sen Murray.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
July 31, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The NIH budget will INCREASE by $400 million — not slashed by 40%, as Trump proposed — according to a proposal by Senate appropriators, says Sen Murray.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
"Some have asked if there will even be an NIH by [2029]. The commmittee's resounding message is yes—Congress has your back", she says.
I just want you all to know that I am doing my part. I have successfully taught my 3-year-old son that cybertrucks are called "Dork wagons."
July 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I just want you all to know that I am doing my part. I have successfully taught my 3-year-old son that cybertrucks are called "Dork wagons."
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
Yet another study (Danish) has found no association between aluminum in childhood vaccines & 50 different health conditions, including autism, asthma & autoimmune diseases. In this study, they tracked 1 million kids over 21 years.
🧪🔗 en.ssi.dk/news/news/20...
🧪🔗 en.ssi.dk/news/news/20...
Large Danish Study: No link between vaccines and autism or 49 other health conditions
A new Danish study finds no association between aluminum in childhood vaccines and 50 different health conditions, including autism, asthma, and autoimmune diseases. The findings reaffirm the safety o...
en.ssi.dk
July 28, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Yet another study (Danish) has found no association between aluminum in childhood vaccines & 50 different health conditions, including autism, asthma & autoimmune diseases. In this study, they tracked 1 million kids over 21 years.
🧪🔗 en.ssi.dk/news/news/20...
🧪🔗 en.ssi.dk/news/news/20...
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
The Tesla diner is unfortunately in my neighborhood so I took a little peek to see boxes of milk and frozen foods out in the heat. Good luck to everyone’s stomachs.
July 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The Tesla diner is unfortunately in my neighborhood so I took a little peek to see boxes of milk and frozen foods out in the heat. Good luck to everyone’s stomachs.
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
Excited to share our latest work, Mato-Blanco et al., nature.com/articles/s41.... Thanks to the incredible collaboration with Nicola Micali, Rakic lab, Sestan lab, Vaccarino lab
@yaleneuro.bsky.social @santperelab.bsky.social @carlocolantuoni.bsky.social
@yaleneuro.bsky.social @santperelab.bsky.social @carlocolantuoni.bsky.social
Early developmental origins of cortical disorders modeled in human neural stem cells - Nature Communications
The implications of early telencephalic development in cortical disorders remain elusive. Here, the authors define risk gene dynamics and perturbation effects in neural stem cells, revealing vulnerabi...
nature.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Excited to share our latest work, Mato-Blanco et al., nature.com/articles/s41.... Thanks to the incredible collaboration with Nicola Micali, Rakic lab, Sestan lab, Vaccarino lab
@yaleneuro.bsky.social @santperelab.bsky.social @carlocolantuoni.bsky.social
@yaleneuro.bsky.social @santperelab.bsky.social @carlocolantuoni.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael F. Wells
BREAKING: A federal judge in Massachusetts (the Reagan-appointed William Young) has declared the Trump administration's cuts to NIH grants — ostensibly over Trump's EOs on gender ideology and DEI — are "illegal" and "void." He's ordering many grants restored.
June 16, 2025 at 6:23 PM
BREAKING: A federal judge in Massachusetts (the Reagan-appointed William Young) has declared the Trump administration's cuts to NIH grants — ostensibly over Trump's EOs on gender ideology and DEI — are "illegal" and "void." He's ordering many grants restored.