Simon Beggs
@simonbeggslab.bsky.social
UCL Neuroscientist. Otherwise dowsed in cocktails and slathered in fetid whimsy. Views unreliable.
Reposted by Simon Beggs
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by Simon Beggs
I watched much of Ian Chapman's (Head of @ukri.org) appearance this morning at @ukparliament.parliament.uk Science, Innovation and Technology Committee..
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
February 3, 2026 at 1:57 PM
I watched much of Ian Chapman's (Head of @ukri.org) appearance this morning at @ukparliament.parliament.uk Science, Innovation and Technology Committee..
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
A few points and new information that bioscientists may find interesting...
A 🧵
Reposted by Simon Beggs
Both MRC and BBSRC responsive modes now withdrawn until further notice. Existing applications unlikely to succeed (late 2025 round expecting 1-5% success rate).
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
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 31, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Both MRC and BBSRC responsive modes now withdrawn until further notice. Existing applications unlikely to succeed (late 2025 round expecting 1-5% success rate).
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Listen, I get that UKRI wants to pivot. But killing both at once is devastating.
Let's hope at least one opens by summer... #AcademicSky
Reposted by Simon Beggs
Startling that this is being broadcast in the absence of any public communications by @ukri.org
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
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 9:17 AM
Startling that this is being broadcast in the absence of any public communications by @ukri.org
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
The academic community has a right to expect to be told first hand what is happening with response mode funding and what the immediate future looks like
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
Reposted by Simon Beggs
COVID saw a shift in the status quo of publishing – it’s time to embrace it.
In our piece in @timeshighered.bsky.social, Damian Pattinson explores the barriers and new approaches, like the eLife Model, that can help move science in the right direction.
buff.ly/9PmrV9O
In our piece in @timeshighered.bsky.social, Damian Pattinson explores the barriers and new approaches, like the eLife Model, that can help move science in the right direction.
buff.ly/9PmrV9O
Covid prompted new ways to publish research – it’s time to embrace them
The pandemic showed the benefits of a system based around reviewing preprints. Why was eLife the only journal to respond, asks Damian Pattinson
buff.ly
January 26, 2026 at 4:47 PM
COVID saw a shift in the status quo of publishing – it’s time to embrace it.
In our piece in @timeshighered.bsky.social, Damian Pattinson explores the barriers and new approaches, like the eLife Model, that can help move science in the right direction.
buff.ly/9PmrV9O
In our piece in @timeshighered.bsky.social, Damian Pattinson explores the barriers and new approaches, like the eLife Model, that can help move science in the right direction.
buff.ly/9PmrV9O
Reposted by Simon Beggs
She was absolutely right. And she would have been an amazing President.
January 20, 2026 at 5:53 PM
She was absolutely right. And she would have been an amazing President.
Reposted by Simon Beggs
Why should we read Henri Bergson's "Creative Evolution" today? There is more than just one reason, see my extended book review, just published in Mind: academic.oup.com/mind/advance... #Bergson #philosophy #philbio #ProcessPhilosophy #biology #science #HenriBergson
Creative Evolution, by Henri Bergson
A search for the term ‘Bergson’ in the search box provided on the website of this journal reveals a lively debate among eminent anglophone philosophers on
academic.oup.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Why should we read Henri Bergson's "Creative Evolution" today? There is more than just one reason, see my extended book review, just published in Mind: academic.oup.com/mind/advance... #Bergson #philosophy #philbio #ProcessPhilosophy #biology #science #HenriBergson
And the Oscar goes to…
We can neither confirm nor deny the existence of big pain relief news next week.
January 15, 2026 at 10:51 PM
And the Oscar goes to…
Reposted by Simon Beggs
In the strain on scientific publishing, we showed that total publications have grown out of control. A huge part of that was guest edited special issues by groups like #MDPI and #Frontiers.
This ongoing practice is the largest delegation of editorial power academia has ever seen.
2/n
This ongoing practice is the largest delegation of editorial power academia has ever seen.
2/n
The strain on scientific publishing
Abstract. Scientists are increasingly overwhelmed by the volume of articles being published. The total number of articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science has grown exponentially in recent years; ...
direct.mit.edu
January 13, 2026 at 8:27 AM
In the strain on scientific publishing, we showed that total publications have grown out of control. A huge part of that was guest edited special issues by groups like #MDPI and #Frontiers.
This ongoing practice is the largest delegation of editorial power academia has ever seen.
2/n
This ongoing practice is the largest delegation of editorial power academia has ever seen.
2/n
Reposted by Simon Beggs
🧠⚡️💊New @nature.com publication !
Mimicking opioid analgesia in cortical pain circuits
We built a brain-behavior framework to decode spontaneous chronic pain in mice—and to biologically mimic morphine with a synthetic opioid gene therapy
nature.com/articles/s41...
@pennmedicine.bsky.social
Mimicking opioid analgesia in cortical pain circuits
We built a brain-behavior framework to decode spontaneous chronic pain in mice—and to biologically mimic morphine with a synthetic opioid gene therapy
nature.com/articles/s41...
@pennmedicine.bsky.social
Researchers identify the neurons involved in the emotional distress associated with pain
go.nature.com/4qIKkB8
go.nature.com/4qIKkB8
Chronic pain could be eased by uncoupling the sensory and emotional experiences
Researchers identify the neurons involved in the emotional distress associated with pain, and design a genetic approach that could soothe suffering without opioid drugs.
go.nature.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:01 PM
🧠⚡️💊New @nature.com publication !
Mimicking opioid analgesia in cortical pain circuits
We built a brain-behavior framework to decode spontaneous chronic pain in mice—and to biologically mimic morphine with a synthetic opioid gene therapy
nature.com/articles/s41...
@pennmedicine.bsky.social
Mimicking opioid analgesia in cortical pain circuits
We built a brain-behavior framework to decode spontaneous chronic pain in mice—and to biologically mimic morphine with a synthetic opioid gene therapy
nature.com/articles/s41...
@pennmedicine.bsky.social
Reposted by Simon Beggs
Not being in a cage makes mice less stressed, feels like one of those things that shouldn't take a massive experiment to verify, but here we are. I suspect this may lead, down the line, to requiring new lab standards to certin experiment with these animal models. 🧪
Link: www.cell.com/current-biol...
Link: www.cell.com/current-biol...
December 27, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Not being in a cage makes mice less stressed, feels like one of those things that shouldn't take a massive experiment to verify, but here we are. I suspect this may lead, down the line, to requiring new lab standards to certin experiment with these animal models. 🧪
Link: www.cell.com/current-biol...
Link: www.cell.com/current-biol...
Reposted by Simon Beggs
.... when injected at large doses in pregnant mice.
Prenatal THC exposure linked to lasting brain changes and behavioral issues
Prenatal THC exposure linked to lasting brain changes and behavioral issues
New research tracks how THC exposure during pregnancy disrupts fetal brain development and leads to sustained structural changes in adulthood.
www.psypost.org
December 20, 2025 at 1:12 PM
.... when injected at large doses in pregnant mice.
Lab Christmas party enhanced by some disguised Morgenthaler Magic: tequila-sherry egg nog. If you have a crowd, this will please
December 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Lab Christmas party enhanced by some disguised Morgenthaler Magic: tequila-sherry egg nog. If you have a crowd, this will please
That’s the Christmas tree sorted
December 9, 2025 at 9:10 PM
That’s the Christmas tree sorted
Reposted by Simon Beggs
That's me in the corner...
A radical new field of history asks if we can ever really understand how our forebears experienced love, anger, fear, and sorrow, Gal Beckerman writes.
You Had to Be There
An emerging field of history asks if we can ever really understand how our forebears experienced love, anger, fear, and sorrow.
bit.ly
December 5, 2025 at 5:33 PM
That's me in the corner...
Reposted by Simon Beggs
From January 1st 2026, the CNRS will cut access to one of the largest commercial bibliometric databases, Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, along with the Core Collection and Journal Citation Reports.
The CNRS is breaking free from the Web of Science
From January 1st 2026, the CNRS will cut access to one of the largest commercial bibliometric databases, Clarivate Analytics'
www.cnrs.fr
December 1, 2025 at 11:04 AM
From January 1st 2026, the CNRS will cut access to one of the largest commercial bibliometric databases, Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, along with the Core Collection and Journal Citation Reports.
Reposted by Simon Beggs
"Come join us!!!" —member of academic search committee that will receive 200 applications for one role and may in fact hire zero people for it
October 3, 2024 at 6:02 PM
"Come join us!!!" —member of academic search committee that will receive 200 applications for one role and may in fact hire zero people for it
Reposted by Simon Beggs
Big new paper from us published yesterday: The synaptic ectokinase VLK triggers the EphB2–NMDAR interaction to drive injury-induced pain
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Led by @hajisciencebaji.bsky.social in my lab and a wonderful collaboration with Matthew Dalva's lab at Tulane
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Led by @hajisciencebaji.bsky.social in my lab and a wonderful collaboration with Matthew Dalva's lab at Tulane
The synaptic ectokinase VLK triggers the EphB2–NMDAR interaction to drive injury-induced pain
Phosphorylation of hundreds of protein extracellular domains is mediated by two kinase families but the functional role of these kinases is underexplored. We find that the presynaptic release of the t...
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Big new paper from us published yesterday: The synaptic ectokinase VLK triggers the EphB2–NMDAR interaction to drive injury-induced pain
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Led by @hajisciencebaji.bsky.social in my lab and a wonderful collaboration with Matthew Dalva's lab at Tulane
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Led by @hajisciencebaji.bsky.social in my lab and a wonderful collaboration with Matthew Dalva's lab at Tulane
Reposted by Simon Beggs
Very glad to share our newest paper published in Molecular Psychiatry: Investigating milk-derived extracellular vesicles as mediators of maternal stress and environmental intervention www.nature.com/articles/s41... fun collab w/ @jordanmarrocco.bsky.social. Please enjoy! #OpenAccess #MaternalHealth
www.nature.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Very glad to share our newest paper published in Molecular Psychiatry: Investigating milk-derived extracellular vesicles as mediators of maternal stress and environmental intervention www.nature.com/articles/s41... fun collab w/ @jordanmarrocco.bsky.social. Please enjoy! #OpenAccess #MaternalHealth
Reposted by Simon Beggs
A huge thanks to the fabulous Prof Deirdre Logan who has so expertly steered the helm of the Pediatric Pain Letter for the last 11 years. We are so thankful for your expert editorial work Deirdre. You can read Deirdre's outgoing Editorial letter here -
Letter From the Editor | Pediatric Pain Letter
Letter From the Editor Dear Pediatric Pain Letter readership, It has been my great pleasure to serve as the Editor of the Pediatric Pain Letter since 2014. This issue marks my final issue in that role. I am delighted to turn the reins over to Abbie Jordan, PhD, of the University of Bath, UK, who […]
pediatric-pain-letter.org
November 13, 2025 at 6:19 PM
A huge thanks to the fabulous Prof Deirdre Logan who has so expertly steered the helm of the Pediatric Pain Letter for the last 11 years. We are so thankful for your expert editorial work Deirdre. You can read Deirdre's outgoing Editorial letter here -
Reposted by Simon Beggs
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)
Too much admin and students not engaged? Its nothing new!
Academics in Assyria in the 7th c BC complain that admin is preventing them from doing research and teaching
November 3, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Too much admin and students not engaged? Its nothing new!
Found a bar in London for game 6. It’s a Phillies bar, got to be a good omen.
October 31, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Found a bar in London for game 6. It’s a Phillies bar, got to be a good omen.