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Van Andel Institute (VAI)
@vai.org
200 followers 48 following 49 posts
VAI is an independent biomedical research, K–12 & graduate education organization in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our scientists study cancer, Parkinson’s, metabolic disorders and other diseases. vai.org
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · 13d
Research led by VAI scientists, published in @natcomms.nature.com, reveals the role of SMCHD1 in organizing our genetic code into “active” and “inactive” compartments. This process can have profound effects on health and disease.
www.vai.org/article/dna-...
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vai.org
Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · 16d
Congratulations to our largest group of graduates to date! Seven incredible students recently earned their Ph.D.s in molecular and cellular biology from Van Andel Institute Graduate School. This milestone achievement is an exciting step toward impactful careers in science.
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · 20d
This National Postdoc Appreciation Week, we’re inspired by stories like Dr. Agot Aleer’s. Her journey shows exactly what our postdoctoral program aims to be: a place where passion and opportunity come together to advance science. #NPAW25
www.vai.org/article/find...
Finding a home in biomedical research – Van Andel Institute
Read about Finding a home in biomedical research on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · 22d
It's National Postdoc Appreciation Week! We are proud to recognize our stellar postdocs, whose curiosity and dedication help drive our mission to improve health and enhance lives. Thank you for your outstanding work! 💙 #NPAW2025
www.vai.org/research/pos...
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mxhend.bsky.social
Mike Henderson @mxhend.bsky.social · 24d
Another graduate student defended! Congratulations, Dr. Goralski!
hndlab.bsky.social
Henderson Lab @hndlab.bsky.social · 24d
Congratulations to Dr. Goralski on a fantastic dissertation defense! The whole lab showed up in Tommy's usual attire to celebrate with him! @vai.org #PhD
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Cure Parkinson's @cureparkinsons.org.uk · 24d
Cure Parkinson’s and Van Andel Institute (@vai.org) are delighted to announce Dr Matt Farrer as the winner of the 2025 Tom Isaacs Award, which honours researchers who closely collaborate with the Parkinson’s community.

Find out more: buff.ly/a003fQj
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vai.org
Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · 29d
Congratulations to Dr. J. Timothy Greenamyre, recipient of the 2025 Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson’s Disease Research! Dr. Greenamyre received the award today at the Grand Challenges in Parkinson's Disease symposium: www.vai.org/2025-jva-award
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Aug 28
We are thrilled to welcome 16 students into Van Andel Institute Graduate School's 19th student cohort!
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Aug 26
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Maulik Patel to VAI as an associate professor in our Department of Metabolism and Nutritional Programming. He will explore how cells maintain mitochondrial homeostasis and what happens when this process breaks down. www.vai.org/article/van-...
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Aug 20
A new study, led by VAI’s Dr. Russell Jones and published in @cp-cellmetabolism.bsky.social, reveals that glucose, long known as a vital fuel for immune cells, also plays a key role in helping cancer-fighting T cells communicate and function effectively. www.vai.org/article/swee...
‘Sweet’ discovery reveals how glucose fuels cancer-fighting immune cells – Van Andel Institute
Read about ‘Sweet’ discovery reveals how glucose fuels cancer-fighting immune cells on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Aug 20
Grand Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease brings together hundreds of scientists, clinicians and people with Parkinson’s to learn, connect and shape the future of research.
Join us Sept. 9–10, 2025 at Van Andel Institute.
Learn more and register: grandchallengesinpd.org
2025 Grand Challenges in Parkinson's Disease
Join us for 2025 Grand Challenges in Parkinson's Disease at Van Andel Institute Stay informed about exciting upcoming events and activities.
grandchallengesinpd.org
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Lempradl Lab @lempradllab.bsky.social · Aug 14
🚀 Our new study is out in Nature Metabolism!
We used single-embryo metabolomics and transcriptomics to map the earliest metabolic transitions in Drosophila development, including the onset of zygotic metabolism.
Explore the dataset & findings:
🔗 rdcu.be/eAH12

#DevBio #metabolomics #Drosophila
Resolving early embryonic metabolism in Drosophila through single-embryo metabolomics and transcriptomics
Nature Metabolism - By developing a method for single-embryo multi-omics in Drosophila, the authors provide a high-resolution view into the transcriptional and metabolic underpinnings of early...
rdcu.be
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vai.org
Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Aug 18
A new study by @lempradllab.bsky.social offers a high-resolution look at the “metabolic handoff” from fruit fly mothers to offspring. The findings could help us better understand the roots of health and disease in humans.
www.vai.org/article/stud...
Study offers high-resolution look at ‘metabolic handoff’ from fruit fly mothers to embryos – Van Andel Institute
Read about Study offers high-resolution look at ‘metabolic handoff’ from fruit fly mothers to embryos on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in sci...
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Aug 15
A study by VAI’s Dr. Russell Jones, published in Science Advances, reveals that blocking a common inflammatory protein called IL-17 could open the door to better treatments for gastrointestinal cancers and Peutz-Jehgers syndrome. www.vai.org/article/redu...
Reducing inflammation may offer new path for treating Peutz-Jehgers syndrome, GI cancers – Van Andel Institute
Read about Reducing inflammation may offer new path for treating Peutz-Jehgers syndrome, GI cancers on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in scien...
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Aug 14
What’s next in metabolism research? VAI’s Metabolism and Nutrition (MeNu) Program recently asked top experts to forecast their bold ideas. Read about six areas they said are primed for discovery: www.vai.org/article/what...
What’s next in metabolism research? – Van Andel Institute
Read about What’s next in metabolism research? on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Aug 12
Congratulations to @nickburton.bsky.social, who was named today as a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences! This four-year award supports exceptional early-career scientists who seek answers to pressing questions about health and disease.
Van Andel Institute’s Dr. Nick Burton named as a Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences – Van Andel Institute
Read about Van Andel Institute’s Dr. Nick Burton named as a Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science an...
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nickburton.bsky.social
Nick Burton @nickburton.bsky.social · Aug 12
I’m really beyond thrilled to be included in this years Pew Biomedical Scholars cohort and to be able to meet all the incredible scientists in this program. I was in Scott Kennedy’s lab when he was a Pew Scholar and never thought I’d be lucky enough to also be one! www.pew.org/en/about/new...
Pew Awards 22 Researchers Biomedical Science Grants
www.pew.org
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cancerletter.com
The Cancer Letter @cancerletter.com · Aug 1
Van Andel Institute (@vai.org) scientists develop improved single-cell DNA methylation technique
https://cancerletter.com/clinical-roundup/20250725_8d/
Van Andel scientists develop improved single-cell DNA methylation technique - The Cancer Letter
Van Andel Institute scientists have developed an improved technique to comprehensively profile DNA methylation in single cells, an advance that will help researchers better study the role of epigenetics in cancer and other diseases. To access this subscriber-only content please log in or subscribe.If your institution has a site license, log in with IP-login or […]
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Jul 16
@peterwlaird.bsky.social @shenhui1986.bsky.social
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Jul 16
Van Andel Institute scientists have developed an improved technique to comprehensively profile DNA methylation in single cells, an advance that will help researchers better study the role of epigenetics in cancer and other diseases.‬ www.vai.org/article/van-...
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Jul 8
VAI’s Dr. Huilin Li and @rockefelleruniv.bsky.social's Dr. Michael O’Donnell have used cryo-EM to reveal a never-before-seen look at the “proofreading” proteins that safeguard DNA from errors during replication:
Cryo-EM reveals never-before-seen look at the ‘proofreading’ proteins that safeguard DNA – Van Andel Institute
Read about Cryo-EM reveals never-before-seen look at the ‘proofreading’ proteins that safeguard DNA on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in scien...
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Jul 1
Congratulations to VAI's Dr. H. Josh Jang, who has been appointed to assistant professor in our Department of Cell Biology.
www.vai.org/article/van-...
Van Andel Institute appoints cancer epigenetics expert Dr. H. Josh Jang as assistant professor – Van Andel Institute
Read about Van Andel Institute appoints cancer epigenetics expert Dr. H. Josh Jang as assistant professor on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in...
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Jun 26
It is our pleasure to announce Eric L. Sturdy as Van Andel Institute’s Vice President of Philanthropy! Eric brings to this role more than 25 years of strategic fundraising leadership across community-based nonprofits, healthcare and higher education. Read more: www.vai.org/article/van-...
vai.org
Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Jun 3
Congratulations to Joe Floramo, Ph.D., and Nathan Spix, Ph.D., who recently earned their Ph.D.s in molecular and cellular biology from Van Andel Institute Graduate School!
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Van Andel Institute (VAI) @vai.org · Apr 21
A study led by VAI’s @rothbartlab.bsky.social and his team sheds light on how interwoven epigenetic layers work together to sustain cancer cell survival. Their findings reveal a potential weak spot that could be leveraged to improve treatment.
Pinpointing weaknesses in cancer’s armor – Van Andel Institute
Read about Pinpointing weaknesses in cancer’s armor on Van Andel Institute – Stay updated on the latest research and groundbreaking discoveries in science and health.
www.vai.org
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