Silvia Paracchini
@silparacchini.bsky.social
Prof of Neurogenetics & Genomics @St Andrews and Bonn; interested in cognition, neurodevelopment, dyslexia and handedness. Co-Chair of the @sldnetwork.bsky.social. Made in Italy.
https://neurogenetics.st-andrews.ac.uk/
https://neurogenetics.st-andrews.ac.uk/
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
As I've posted on before, heritability is one of the most commonly confused concepts in public (mis)understanding of genetics. 👇
Heritability = one of the most commonly confused concepts in public (mis)understanding of genetics. Let’s break it down.
Imagine studying a cohort of people in a specific set of environmental circumstances. You assess everyone for an observable trait & find it varies from one person to another. 🧪1/5
Imagine studying a cohort of people in a specific set of environmental circumstances. You assess everyone for an observable trait & find it varies from one person to another. 🧪1/5
January 30, 2026 at 3:47 PM
As I've posted on before, heritability is one of the most commonly confused concepts in public (mis)understanding of genetics. 👇
Ah, the irony...just got the UKRI email inviting to submit to Researchfish 🐟 to provide the critical evidence which UKRI needs to *continue* making the case for public funding for research.
Useful thread - disheartening situation
The MRC has asked each of its grant review boards to recommend no more than 3 applications for funding, RPN has heard from multiple sources
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
January 30, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Ah, the irony...just got the UKRI email inviting to submit to Researchfish 🐟 to provide the critical evidence which UKRI needs to *continue* making the case for public funding for research.
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
Truly feels like we're sleepwalking into our own annihilation
January 30, 2026 at 7:22 AM
Truly feels like we're sleepwalking into our own annihilation
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
FoldMason is out now in @science.org. It generates accurate multiple structure alignments for thousands of protein structures in seconds. Great work by Cameron L. M. Gilchrist and @milot.bsky.social.
📄 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
🌐 search.foldseek.com/foldmason
💾 github.com/steineggerla...
📄 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
🌐 search.foldseek.com/foldmason
💾 github.com/steineggerla...
Multiple protein structure alignment at scale with FoldMason
Protein structure is conserved beyond sequence, making multiple structural alignment (MSTA) essential for analyzing distantly related proteins. Computational prediction methods have vastly extended ou...
www.science.org
January 30, 2026 at 6:11 AM
FoldMason is out now in @science.org. It generates accurate multiple structure alignments for thousands of protein structures in seconds. Great work by Cameron L. M. Gilchrist and @milot.bsky.social.
📄 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
🌐 search.foldseek.com/foldmason
💾 github.com/steineggerla...
📄 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
🌐 search.foldseek.com/foldmason
💾 github.com/steineggerla...
Useful thread - disheartening situation
The MRC has asked each of its grant review boards to recommend no more than 3 applications for funding, RPN has heard from multiple sources
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
Normally, boards recommend an average of 12-13 bids, so the success rate this year will be tiny
This affects applicant-led calls which closed in 2025...
January 30, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Useful thread - disheartening situation
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates.
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates - Research Professional News
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:53 AM
MRC instructs grant review boards to slash funding rates.
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Boards asked to recommend just three applications for funding, as BBSRC also suspends calls.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
This week, we report in
@nature.com our effort to identify molecular convergence and divergence in #autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using human stem cell models.
@nature.com our effort to identify molecular convergence and divergence in #autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using human stem cell models.
January 29, 2026 at 10:04 PM
This week, we report in
@nature.com our effort to identify molecular convergence and divergence in #autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using human stem cell models.
@nature.com our effort to identify molecular convergence and divergence in #autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using human stem cell models.
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
Today @nature.com, it's #AlphaGenome, to decipher and determine functionality of the regulatory (very challenging) variants in our genome.
Another big step of AI for advancing life science
nature.com/articles/s41...
Another big step of AI for advancing life science
nature.com/articles/s41...
January 28, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Today @nature.com, it's #AlphaGenome, to decipher and determine functionality of the regulatory (very challenging) variants in our genome.
Another big step of AI for advancing life science
nature.com/articles/s41...
Another big step of AI for advancing life science
nature.com/articles/s41...
Fantastic news! No doubts Tony will continue to make huge contributions to the field 🧬🧠 🧪https://www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2023/10/after-12-years-as-president-tony-monaco-is-returning-to-genetic-research
After 12 years as president, Tony Monaco is returning to genetic research - The Tufts Daily
While Anthony Monaco may no longer be president, he’s taken on a new role at Tufts: Professor of Biology. After stepping down from his twelve-year role in June, President Emeritus Monaco is devoting h...
www.tuftsdaily.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Fantastic news! No doubts Tony will continue to make huge contributions to the field 🧬🧠 🧪https://www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2023/10/after-12-years-as-president-tony-monaco-is-returning-to-genetic-research
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
Seemingly fake genetic study of left-handedness, first drawn to my attention by @ocklenburg.bsky.social , with laughable / frighteningly bad figures and false citations...!
@clydefrancks.bsky.social found what is potentially (likey?!) the first fully hallucinated GWAS paper, of “left handedness”… the Manhattan plot has the wrong number of chromosomes, and genes labels with one wrong chromosome placed in a second wrong chromosome… wild…
Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) of LeftHandedness Across Global Populations
Left-handedness, a prominent phenotype affecting approximately 10% of the global population, has long been hypothesized to possess a polygenic basis influenced by complex gene-environment interactions...
ieeexplore.ieee.org
January 27, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Seemingly fake genetic study of left-handedness, first drawn to my attention by @ocklenburg.bsky.social , with laughable / frighteningly bad figures and false citations...!
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
Latest work from the lab by Aude Nommick et al., in which we propose a "size-scaling" model for microtubule force exertion that regulates centrosome centration vs decentration during embryo development!
@ijmonod.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
@ijmonod.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
January 26, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Latest work from the lab by Aude Nommick et al., in which we propose a "size-scaling" model for microtubule force exertion that regulates centrosome centration vs decentration during embryo development!
@ijmonod.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
@ijmonod.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
Mistaking correlation for causation doesn’t just waste research funding, it can shape real-world health advice.
In our new blog, Prof. George Davey Smith, 2025 MRC Millennium Medal winner, explains why he encourages scientists to look for ways they might be wrong.
www.ukri.org/blog/why-evi...
In our new blog, Prof. George Davey Smith, 2025 MRC Millennium Medal winner, explains why he encourages scientists to look for ways they might be wrong.
www.ukri.org/blog/why-evi...
Why evidence matters in health research
Professor George Davey Smith explains why he encourages scientists to look for ways they might be wrong.
www.ukri.org
January 26, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Mistaking correlation for causation doesn’t just waste research funding, it can shape real-world health advice.
In our new blog, Prof. George Davey Smith, 2025 MRC Millennium Medal winner, explains why he encourages scientists to look for ways they might be wrong.
www.ukri.org/blog/why-evi...
In our new blog, Prof. George Davey Smith, 2025 MRC Millennium Medal winner, explains why he encourages scientists to look for ways they might be wrong.
www.ukri.org/blog/why-evi...
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
Come join our vibrant department for a year to learn about the development and treatment of mental health conditions!
Interested in how mental health develops?
If your background is in psychology, biosciences, or a related field, our MSc in Developmental Psychology & Psychopathology at @kingsioppn.bsky.social could be your next step: www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgr...
Join us in September – reach out to learn more!
If your background is in psychology, biosciences, or a related field, our MSc in Developmental Psychology & Psychopathology at @kingsioppn.bsky.social could be your next step: www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgr...
Join us in September – reach out to learn more!
Developmental Psychology & Psychopathology | King's College London
This course will develop your knowledge about genetic and environmental causes of developmental psychopathology across the lifespan.
www.kcl.ac.uk
January 26, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Come join our vibrant department for a year to learn about the development and treatment of mental health conditions!
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
Israel killed three journalists, including a CBS News contributor, the latest attacks in Gaza despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire that began in October.
Israel has killed about 220 journalists in Gaza since October 2023, according to Reporters Without Borders. https://wapo.st/4r5ZmRr
Israel has killed about 220 journalists in Gaza since October 2023, according to Reporters Without Borders. https://wapo.st/4r5ZmRr
January 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Israel killed three journalists, including a CBS News contributor, the latest attacks in Gaza despite a U.S.-backed ceasefire that began in October.
Israel has killed about 220 journalists in Gaza since October 2023, according to Reporters Without Borders. https://wapo.st/4r5ZmRr
Israel has killed about 220 journalists in Gaza since October 2023, according to Reporters Without Borders. https://wapo.st/4r5ZmRr
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
Nature research paper: Predatory aggression evolved through adaptations to noradrenergic circuits
go.nature.com/3NxFCrs
go.nature.com/3NxFCrs
Predatory aggression evolved through adaptations to noradrenergic circuits - Nature
Noradrenergic circuits support and balance aggressive behavioural states in predatory nematodes, distinguish predatory from non-predatory nematode species and are associated with the evolution of complex behavioural traits.
go.nature.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Nature research paper: Predatory aggression evolved through adaptations to noradrenergic circuits
go.nature.com/3NxFCrs
go.nature.com/3NxFCrs
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
Our latest CRISPR ring nuclease paper focusses on Csx15 - which seems to act as of a sponge as well as a canonical phosphodiesterase. Great work led by @haotianchi.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org
January 22, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Our latest CRISPR ring nuclease paper focusses on Csx15 - which seems to act as of a sponge as well as a canonical phosphodiesterase. Great work led by @haotianchi.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
MRC applicant-led grants status www.ukri.org/opportunity/...
January 21, 2026 at 10:09 PM
MRC applicant-led grants status www.ukri.org/opportunity/...
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
January 20, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Transcriptomics and functional genomics implicate WNT3 in hemispheric lateralization of speech production www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
Transcriptomics and functional genomics implicate WNT3 in hemispheric lateralization of speech production
Human speech and language depend on hemispheric specialization across cortical regions
and cortico-striatal circuits. We profiled 125 human cortical samples from 13 Brodmann
areas, bilaterally, across...
www.cell.com
January 19, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Transcriptomics and functional genomics implicate WNT3 in hemispheric lateralization of speech production www.cell.com/iscience/ful...
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
I've just updated my preprint on short personal reviews of novels on #ResearchIntegrity , which now covers 35 titles. bit.ly/409E5ff
Please attend me to novels which you believe to belong to this list, but are not yet included.
Please attend me to novels which you believe to belong to this list, but are not yet included.
January 14, 2026 at 7:25 AM
I've just updated my preprint on short personal reviews of novels on #ResearchIntegrity , which now covers 35 titles. bit.ly/409E5ff
Please attend me to novels which you believe to belong to this list, but are not yet included.
Please attend me to novels which you believe to belong to this list, but are not yet included.
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
This makes sense. Think it's similar to what would happen if all scientific groups suddenly had 100 new interns who needed very clear instructions – they would focus on the narrow parts of science where this arrangement would be productive rather than chaos: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
January 14, 2026 at 8:26 PM
This makes sense. Think it's similar to what would happen if all scientific groups suddenly had 100 new interns who needed very clear instructions – they would focus on the narrow parts of science where this arrangement would be productive rather than chaos: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
I honestly dont know what led me to this webpage, but I found a picture of myself and my rhythmic gymnastic team (Libertas Novara, possibly 1986) 😮https://www.vanovarava.it/vnv/altri_file/quandovolavanolefarfalle.pdf
January 11, 2026 at 10:41 PM
I honestly dont know what led me to this webpage, but I found a picture of myself and my rhythmic gymnastic team (Libertas Novara, possibly 1986) 😮https://www.vanovarava.it/vnv/altri_file/quandovolavanolefarfalle.pdf
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
How do gonads and sex chromosomes contribute to regional sex differences in the brain? 🤔
Our new preprint summarizes >5 years of work on this question, combining structural neuroimaging and snRNAseq within a sample of >850 mice.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Thread below …
Our new preprint summarizes >5 years of work on this question, combining structural neuroimaging and snRNAseq within a sample of >850 mice.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Thread below …
Gonadal and sex chromosomal contributions to sex differences in mammalian brain organization
Sex differences in brain development may contribute to well-known sex differences in behavior and neuropsychiatric risk - making it important to comprehensively map and mechanistically annotate normat...
www.biorxiv.org
January 11, 2026 at 4:01 PM
How do gonads and sex chromosomes contribute to regional sex differences in the brain? 🤔
Our new preprint summarizes >5 years of work on this question, combining structural neuroimaging and snRNAseq within a sample of >850 mice.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Thread below …
Our new preprint summarizes >5 years of work on this question, combining structural neuroimaging and snRNAseq within a sample of >850 mice.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Thread below …
Reposted by Silvia Paracchini
When did you stop posting on X?
Person A: When its owner made nazi salutes.
Person B: When it became a production and distribution channel for images of child sexual abuse.
Government: We're still posting there.
Person A: When its owner made nazi salutes.
Person B: When it became a production and distribution channel for images of child sexual abuse.
Government: We're still posting there.
January 10, 2026 at 8:02 AM
When did you stop posting on X?
Person A: When its owner made nazi salutes.
Person B: When it became a production and distribution channel for images of child sexual abuse.
Government: We're still posting there.
Person A: When its owner made nazi salutes.
Person B: When it became a production and distribution channel for images of child sexual abuse.
Government: We're still posting there.