Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
@michaelphart1.bsky.social
Neuroscientist and geneticist @PennGenetics and @PennMedicine. Our lab studies plasticity of neuronal circuits and behavior in C. elegans. www.mphartlab.com
A fun evolution and behavior project initiated by a summer undergrad Reina Eugene (PGSIP intern!) with Dustin Haskell - Variation in Social Feeding Behaviors and Interactions Among Caenorhabditis Nematodes @penngenetics.bsky.social @ecol-evol.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Variation in Social Feeding Behaviors and Interactions Among Caenorhabditis Nematodes
Different species of roundworms (nematodes) are frequently found together in the wild and can aggregate in groups while feeding. We find that different species of worms display a range of feeding beh...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
A fun evolution and behavior project initiated by a summer undergrad Reina Eugene (PGSIP intern!) with Dustin Haskell - Variation in Social Feeding Behaviors and Interactions Among Caenorhabditis Nematodes @penngenetics.bsky.social @ecol-evol.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
In the October issue of #GENETICS, @michaelphart1.bsky.social and colleagues report #Celegans mutant analysis that identified conserved #autism genes with functions in experience-dependent neuron remodeling and circuit plasticity. buff.ly/ZrxH4rM
October 22, 2025 at 8:02 PM
In the October issue of #GENETICS, @michaelphart1.bsky.social and colleagues report #Celegans mutant analysis that identified conserved #autism genes with functions in experience-dependent neuron remodeling and circuit plasticity. buff.ly/ZrxH4rM
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
In #GENETICS, @michaelphart1.bsky.social and colleagues performed a mutant screen in #Celegans to identify conserved #autism genes with functions in experience-dependent neuron remodeling and circuit plasticity. buff.ly/f5UYogl
October 9, 2025 at 6:04 PM
In #GENETICS, @michaelphart1.bsky.social and colleagues performed a mutant screen in #Celegans to identify conserved #autism genes with functions in experience-dependent neuron remodeling and circuit plasticity. buff.ly/f5UYogl
Do you like neuronal #plasticity? #genetics? #Celegans? Check out 1st installment of work by Kristi Zoga in the lab. Kristi screened 20 conserved #autism genes for roles in experience-dependent #neuron remodeling and a related behavior.
doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyaf156
doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyaf156
Multiple autism genes influence GABA neuron remodeling via distinct developmental trajectories
Abstract. Variation in over 100 genes are now associated with increased risk for autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions, but how this variation r
doi.org
August 13, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Do you like neuronal #plasticity? #genetics? #Celegans? Check out 1st installment of work by Kristi Zoga in the lab. Kristi screened 20 conserved #autism genes for roles in experience-dependent #neuron remodeling and a related behavior.
doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyaf156
doi.org/10.1093/genetics/iyaf156
This all checks out. As a donor, the endless fundraising texts and emails I receive after donating make me donate LESS!!! Figure out a better way to not piss off unit supporters @housedemocrats.bsky.social
The annoying spam texts destroying the Democratic brand:
$678M raised through those spam tactics
$282M to one consulting firm: Mothership Strategies.
$11M to actual campaigns (1.6%)
The party isn’t just treating donors like marks—it’s being fleeced itself yet continues to back Mothership.
$678M raised through those spam tactics
$282M to one consulting firm: Mothership Strategies.
$11M to actual campaigns (1.6%)
The party isn’t just treating donors like marks—it’s being fleeced itself yet continues to back Mothership.
The Mothership Vortex: An Investigation Into the Firm at the Heart of the Democratic Spam Machine
How a single consulting firm extracted $282 million from a network of spam PACs while delivering just $11 million to actual campaigns.
open.substack.com
August 6, 2025 at 12:16 AM
This all checks out. As a donor, the endless fundraising texts and emails I receive after donating make me donate LESS!!! Figure out a better way to not piss off unit supporters @housedemocrats.bsky.social
Feature article on latest work from @tdrivas.bsky.social Genetic testing of critically ill adults yields surprises—and reveals disparities in treatment of Black patients | Science www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org
July 14, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Feature article on latest work from @tdrivas.bsky.social Genetic testing of critically ill adults yields surprises—and reveals disparities in treatment of Black patients | Science www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
We're asking YOU to run for office and we're partnering with the best of the best to make it happen: Pipeline Fund, LEAD NC, Annie's List, Texas Leadership Pipeline, Instituto, Run for Something, and National Democratic Training Committee.
Learn more at votesaveamerica.com/run
Learn more at votesaveamerica.com/run
July 8, 2025 at 7:20 PM
We're asking YOU to run for office and we're partnering with the best of the best to make it happen: Pipeline Fund, LEAD NC, Annie's List, Texas Leadership Pipeline, Instituto, Run for Something, and National Democratic Training Committee.
Learn more at votesaveamerica.com/run
Learn more at votesaveamerica.com/run
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
The White House's proposed FY26 budget would cut NIH funding by >40%. Our new #SCIMaP report projects the budget would lead to economic losses throughout the US with $10M+ lost in almost every House district.
scienceimpacts.org/fy26
@joshuasweitz.bsky.social @asinclair.bsky.social @cl10.bsky.social
scienceimpacts.org/fy26
@joshuasweitz.bsky.social @asinclair.bsky.social @cl10.bsky.social
SCIMaP - Impacts of Federal Cuts to Science and Medical Research
Developed by an interdisciplinary research team, this website shows how funding cuts reduce economic activity and employment nationwide
scienceimpacts.org
June 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The White House's proposed FY26 budget would cut NIH funding by >40%. Our new #SCIMaP report projects the budget would lead to economic losses throughout the US with $10M+ lost in almost every House district.
scienceimpacts.org/fy26
@joshuasweitz.bsky.social @asinclair.bsky.social @cl10.bsky.social
scienceimpacts.org/fy26
@joshuasweitz.bsky.social @asinclair.bsky.social @cl10.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
(5/5)
🚨 It’s time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now it’s our turn.
📜 Read the Bethesda Declaration
✍️ Sign the Public Letter of Support
👯♀️Follow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here 👉 www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
🚨 It’s time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now it’s our turn.
📜 Read the Bethesda Declaration
✍️ Sign the Public Letter of Support
👯♀️Follow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here 👉 www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
www.standupforscience.net
June 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM
(5/5)
🚨 It’s time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now it’s our turn.
📜 Read the Bethesda Declaration
✍️ Sign the Public Letter of Support
👯♀️Follow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here 👉 www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
🚨 It’s time to flood the zone.
NIH scientists just took a huge risk speaking out. Now it’s our turn.
📜 Read the Bethesda Declaration
✍️ Sign the Public Letter of Support
👯♀️Follow NIHers doing the work: @nihvigils.bsky.social
Read and sign here 👉 www.standupforscience.net/bethesda-dec...
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
"Women are PIs on 58% of the canceled grants, although they are PIs on only 34% of all active NSF grants.
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Another scoop from Jeff Mervis (@policyhound.bsky.social): NSF's ~1400 grant terminations have disproportionately affected PIs from groups underrepresented in science: women, racial & ethnic minorities, & those with disabilities. 1/3
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump officials take steps toward a radically different NSF
Efforts to shrink staff, budget, and focus have alarmed members of Congress
www.science.org
May 13, 2025 at 10:09 PM
"Women are PIs on 58% of the canceled grants, although they are PIs on only 34% of all active NSF grants.
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Similarly, Blacks are PIs on 17% of the terminated grants, although they make only 4% of the total pool. Hispanic PIs and those with disabilities were twice as likely to lose a grant."
Devastated by the loss of my amazing friend and colleague Laura Grafe (@grafelab.bsky.social, Bryn Mawr). She was beautiful, brilliant, and bursting with life! Her love and light burned so bright, it will forever be with everyone who was lucky enough to know her. Rest In Peace @pennngg.bsky.social
May 13, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Devastated by the loss of my amazing friend and colleague Laura Grafe (@grafelab.bsky.social, Bryn Mawr). She was beautiful, brilliant, and bursting with life! Her love and light burned so bright, it will forever be with everyone who was lucky enough to know her. Rest In Peace @pennngg.bsky.social
Beyond excited to host @dacolon.bsky.social today for the Distinguished Seminar Series at @pennmedicine.bsky.social @penngenetics.bsky.social!! Come see a terrific talk at noon!
May 12, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Beyond excited to host @dacolon.bsky.social today for the Distinguished Seminar Series at @pennmedicine.bsky.social @penngenetics.bsky.social!! Come see a terrific talk at noon!
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
Researchers and advocates have pushed back at what they consider inaccurate and stigmatizing comments made by the health secretary, and note the causes of autism are complex.
RFK pushes to find 'environmental' cause of autism, calls rising rates an 'epidemic'
Researchers and advocates have pushed back at what they consider inaccurate and stigmatizing comments made by the health secretary, and note the causes of autism are complex.
www.npr.org
April 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Researchers and advocates have pushed back at what they consider inaccurate and stigmatizing comments made by the health secretary, and note the causes of autism are complex.
Ire isn't the right word... he is wrong and is stigmatizing 1 in ~40 children. 'Kennedy called research into the genetic factors in whether a child will develop autism “a dead end.” “Genes don’t cause epidemics,” he said. “You need an environmental toxin.”" www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/u...
RFK Jr. Calls Autism ‘Preventable,’ Drawing Ire From Researchers
The health secretary said he would prioritize studies into environmental causes while harshly discounting other factors scientists say are likely contributing to rising rates of the condition.
www.nytimes.com
April 16, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Ire isn't the right word... he is wrong and is stigmatizing 1 in ~40 children. 'Kennedy called research into the genetic factors in whether a child will develop autism “a dead end.” “Genes don’t cause epidemics,” he said. “You need an environmental toxin.”" www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/u...
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
"After nearly five hours, he and his wife were released. They are now pursuing legal action.
"It's not about the immigrants," his sister, told NBC10 Boston. "It's coming to us Americans, and it's going to go after all of us."
www.nbcboston.com/news/politic...
"It's not about the immigrants," his sister, told NBC10 Boston. "It's coming to us Americans, and it's going to go after all of us."
www.nbcboston.com/news/politic...
‘Treated like a criminal': US citizen says he was detained returning from Canada
Bachir Atallah, a real estate attorney from New Hampshire, says he and his wife, Jessica Fakhri, were stopped crossing from Canada into Vermont
www.nbcboston.com
April 15, 2025 at 7:05 PM
"After nearly five hours, he and his wife were released. They are now pursuing legal action.
"It's not about the immigrants," his sister, told NBC10 Boston. "It's coming to us Americans, and it's going to go after all of us."
www.nbcboston.com/news/politic...
"It's not about the immigrants," his sister, told NBC10 Boston. "It's coming to us Americans, and it's going to go after all of us."
www.nbcboston.com/news/politic...
So excited to host @singhvilabglia.bsky.social (One of my favorite scientists to spend time with!!) tomorrow for the @pennngg.bsky.social and MINS seminar!! Come learn about glia!!
April 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
So excited to host @singhvilabglia.bsky.social (One of my favorite scientists to spend time with!!) tomorrow for the @pennngg.bsky.social and MINS seminar!! Come learn about glia!!
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
Patience, collaboration, and perseverance pay off! Our investigation of the population prevalence of NF1 pathogenic variants is out today in @naturecomms.bsky.social! We find these variants are much more common than anticipated and confer increased risk for cancer.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A genotype-first approach identifies high incidence of NF1 pathogenic variants with distinct disease associations - Nature Communications
Our current understanding of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is based on patients ascertained through phenotype-first approaches, which estimate a low prevalence at 1 in 3,000. Here, the authors levera...
www.nature.com
April 2, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Patience, collaboration, and perseverance pay off! Our investigation of the population prevalence of NF1 pathogenic variants is out today in @naturecomms.bsky.social! We find these variants are much more common than anticipated and confer increased risk for cancer.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
attention worm peeps! we need YOU to help recruit more mentees for the C. elegans Community Mentor Match program! 🪱🧪 mentees of all stages are welcome to join!
Please help us sign up more mentees by sharing this this slide with your lab in your next lab meeting!
docs.google.com/presentation...
Please help us sign up more mentees by sharing this this slide with your lab in your next lab meeting!
docs.google.com/presentation...
Join the C. elegans Community Mentor Match Program!
Join the C. elegans Community Mentor Match Program! sign up for mentors sign up for mentees and to join peer-mentoring groups https://forms.gle/DpGTWRMrNGL96wHy8 https://forms.gle/pVBD5DYGXyLT4waLA
docs.google.com
March 25, 2025 at 11:27 PM
attention worm peeps! we need YOU to help recruit more mentees for the C. elegans Community Mentor Match program! 🪱🧪 mentees of all stages are welcome to join!
Please help us sign up more mentees by sharing this this slide with your lab in your next lab meeting!
docs.google.com/presentation...
Please help us sign up more mentees by sharing this this slide with your lab in your next lab meeting!
docs.google.com/presentation...
Amazing support for SCIENCE with so many familiar faces! (Dog, sign, and picture courtesy of @glennislogsdon.bsky.social) @tdrivas.bsky.social @korblab.bsky.social @standupforscience.bsky.social #standupforscience2025
March 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Amazing support for SCIENCE with so many familiar faces! (Dog, sign, and picture courtesy of @glennislogsdon.bsky.social) @tdrivas.bsky.social @korblab.bsky.social @standupforscience.bsky.social #standupforscience2025
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
Wonder what it would be like to present your research at a conference attended by #NobelPrize recipients? See them in the hallway & have a chance to chat? Hear about their illustrious work that earned them this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine? This is your chance!
1/3🧵
1/3🧵
March 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Wonder what it would be like to present your research at a conference attended by #NobelPrize recipients? See them in the hallway & have a chance to chat? Hear about their illustrious work that earned them this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine? This is your chance!
1/3🧵
1/3🧵
Not great… not great
whyy.org/articles/pen...
whyy.org/articles/pen...
Philly-area lawmakers walk out of meeting with Penn president over DEI cuts
A Pennsylvania state senator and state representative left the meeting after they say a university administrator referred to diversity as a “lightning rod.”
whyy.org
February 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Not great… not great
whyy.org/articles/pen...
whyy.org/articles/pen...
Philadelphia Stand Up For Science! #standupforscience2025
Friday, March 7 · 11am - 1pm
Philadelphia City Hall
standupforscience2025.org
Friday, March 7 · 11am - 1pm
Philadelphia City Hall
standupforscience2025.org
February 26, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Philadelphia Stand Up For Science! #standupforscience2025
Friday, March 7 · 11am - 1pm
Philadelphia City Hall
standupforscience2025.org
Friday, March 7 · 11am - 1pm
Philadelphia City Hall
standupforscience2025.org
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
Join the @standupforscience.bsky.social rally on March 7 to help protect the American scientific enterprise & defend science as a public good that drives social, political, & economic progress. Learn more & find your local site: https://buff.ly/3EWhSZM #standupforscience2025 #scienceforall
STAND UP FOR SCIENCE
March 7, 2025. Washington DC and nationwide. Because science is for everyone.
buff.ly
February 25, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Join the @standupforscience.bsky.social rally on March 7 to help protect the American scientific enterprise & defend science as a public good that drives social, political, & economic progress. Learn more & find your local site: https://buff.ly/3EWhSZM #standupforscience2025 #scienceforall
Reposted by Michael P Hart 🏳️🌈 (he/him)
Your Action Is Needed!
Congress needs to hear from scientists. Call your representatives to oppose funding freezes and restrictions on research. Find contact info at govtrack.us and make your voice heard today! #SciencePolicy
www.ascb.org/science-poli...
Congress needs to hear from scientists. Call your representatives to oppose funding freezes and restrictions on research. Find contact info at govtrack.us and make your voice heard today! #SciencePolicy
www.ascb.org/science-poli...
February 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Your Action Is Needed!
Congress needs to hear from scientists. Call your representatives to oppose funding freezes and restrictions on research. Find contact info at govtrack.us and make your voice heard today! #SciencePolicy
www.ascb.org/science-poli...
Congress needs to hear from scientists. Call your representatives to oppose funding freezes and restrictions on research. Find contact info at govtrack.us and make your voice heard today! #SciencePolicy
www.ascb.org/science-poli...
Awesome, albeit freezing, ski weekend with my siblings and nephew in Vermont! Definitely worth taking an extra 2 days off despite an impending grant deadline!
February 4, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Awesome, albeit freezing, ski weekend with my siblings and nephew in Vermont! Definitely worth taking an extra 2 days off despite an impending grant deadline!