Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · 4d

#ForeverCanadian crew is set up by the pumpkin weighing station (near the museum) at the Smokey Lake pumpkin festival. 🎃 Come on over and sign the petition, please! 🇨🇦

bsky.app

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

Hon. Thomas A. Lukaszuk @lukaszukab.bsky.social · 4d

Today, #ForeverCanadian brought 230,000 petition signatures to Edmonton. Our volunteers will continue collecting signatures until October 28. We need your signature to reach our 300,000 requirement to keep Alberta in Canada.

#ableg #Yeg #Yyc #CdnPoli

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

CIRTN-R2FIC @cirtn.bsky.social · 6d

🧵(1/7)We are now out of September🍁! From the last two weeks we have had publications from the CIRTN labs of Drs Jenny Bruin, Mourad Ferdaoussi, Peter Light, Patrick MacDonald, James Shapiro and Bruce Verchere!

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

Daniel Drucker @danieljdrucker.bsky.social · 8d

Novel insights into the molecular underpinnings of islet cell dysfunction in #T1D highlighting pathways that may be leveraged to preserve residual β-cell function and modulate α-cell activity @bcellorg.bsky.social www.jci.org/articles/vie...

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Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · 8d

And a special thank you to the organ donors, and organ procurement organizations and coordinators across the country (BC Transplant, Alberta Health Services / Give Life Alberta, Ontario Health / TGLN, Quebec Transplant, MOTP Atlantic Canada).

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Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · 8d

Over the past, nearly 15 years, our team has isolated more than 140 million pancreatic islets in support of diabetes and transplantation research across three continents.

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Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · 8d

Yesterday we celebrated our 600th human research islet isolation in support of diabetes research (and then last night isolated the islets in the pic). I’m very fortunate to work with such a dedicated team! See more at www.isletcore.ca

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

Olov Andersson @o-andersson-lab.bsky.social · 13d

Join us for the revival of the Islet Biology and Diabetes Keystone symposia in Breckenridge, Colorado on March 16-19, 2026, for great science and great skiing. You can register now for early bird rates: lnkd.in/dw59T7tc Joint with Gut-Brain Axis. @linnemannlab.bsky.social Erica Nishimura, Barak Blum

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

Hon. Thomas A. Lukaszuk @lukaszukab.bsky.social · 9d

My column in the Globe & Mail:

“Those challenges notwithstanding, separation is clearly not the answer. Even the talk of separation damages Alberta’s reputation, creates uncertainty, drives away talent and investment, and divides communities.”

#cdnpoli

www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

Opinion: Yes, Canadians - Albertans do want to stay in Canada

Don’t believe the separatist rhetoric of a few vocal and misguided pundits

www.theglobeandmail.com

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Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · 11d

Decision to cancel my season tix….justified again.

Carrie Tait @carrietait.bsky.social · 11d

Oilers 50/50 raffle has paid $81M to company owned by hockey group over 4 years, documents reveal www.stalbertgazette.com/beyond-local... Quite the scoop from @brettmckay.bsky.social

Beyond Local: Oilers 50/50 raffle has paid $81M to company owned by hockey group over 4 years, documents reveal

The foundation says Win50 is responsible for all costs related to running the raffle, including additional prizes, television and radio commercials, promotion and advertising, the raffle technology pl...

www.stalbertgazette.com

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

CAUT/ACPPU @caut.bsky.social · 13d

Research is the key to unlocking Canada’s future and it needs proper funding.

The federal government must uphold its Budget 2024 commitment to Canadian researchers.

Read the Coalition for Canadian Research’s open letter: www.caut.ca/news/coaliti...

Coalition for Canadian Research calls on federal government to fulfil the Budget 2024 research commitments

The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C., M.P.Prime Minister of CanadaOffice of the Prime Minister80 Wellington StreetOttawa, ON K1A 0A2

www.caut.ca

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

Daniel Drucker @danieljdrucker.bsky.social · 14d

Join us this Friday am, in person or online, for new insights into #Islet biology-what should we strive for in islet cell replacement therapy?-some thoughts from Professor Powers, a leader in the field in characterizing human islets across the lifespan #diabetes

Daniel Drucker @danieljdrucker.bsky.social · 18d

Friday September 26 @uoftmedicine.bsky.social @sinaihealth.bsky.social The 2025 Gerard N Burrow Lecture. Professor Alvin Powers #islets #diabetes #T1D #T2D @vubasicsciences.bsky.social 8 am Mt. Sinai Join us!

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

CIRTN-R2FIC @cirtn.bsky.social · 25d

Hello! Welcome to the CIRTN-R2FIC BlueSky account! Our group focuses on researching pancreatic islet biology and pathology related to islets such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Here you will find bi-weekly updates from the scientists from across Canada that make up CIRTN-R2FIC.

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Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · Aug 12

So I found out on the phone. Not sure that's clear online - at least it wasnt' to me....

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Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · Aug 12

Just phoned, trying to book as an immune compromised individual. No luck. ‘Pre-book and then check in October’ was the response.

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Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · Aug 9

From the Ampofo group!

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Heparan sulfate fine-tuned interleukin-1 (IL-1) signaling inhibits insulin secretion of grafted pancreatic islets

The binding of heparan sulfate to IL-1α potentiates the inhibitory action of IL-1α on insulin release.

www.science.org

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Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · Aug 7

Spatially Bound Functional Heterogeneity Drives Modular Organization in Beta Cell Networks

Maja Duh Marko Šterk, Lidija Križančić Bombek, Patrick E MacDonald, Andraž Stožer, Marko Gosak

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40765144/

Spatially Bound Functional Heterogeneity Drives Modular Organization in Beta Cell Networks - PubMed

Coordinated responses of pancreatic beta cell networks to changes in extracellular nutrient concentrations are a well-established phenomenon with significant implications for insulin secretion. This s...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

Lucie🐈‍⬛Catnip @luciecatnip.bsky.social · Aug 1

This is now a long-distance relationship, Tim.

#cdnpoli

Governor Tim Walz @governorwalz.mn.gov · Jul 29

From hockey to fishing, and from buffalo plaid to a bold winter spirit, Minnesota values our connection to Canada.

We want our neighbors to the north to know they’re not just welcome here - they’re encouraged to visit and continue our long friendship.

www.startribune.com/brooks-minne...

Brooks: Minnesota works to woo back Canadian visitors

Gov. Walz invites Canada down for a Minnesota Nice vacation.

www.startribune.com

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · Jul 25

The official post:

apps.ualberta.ca/careers/post...

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

Alex Usher @alexusherhesa.bsky.social · Jul 27

1/ Canadian govts appear to have decided that they can not or will not fund higher education properly. But they won't admit this, preferring to tell institutions to enshittify themselves and shut up.

There are two options: one is slow starvation, the other is radical deregulation.

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

Jim Johnson 🇨🇦 @jimjohnsonsci.bsky.social · Jul 25

Guys y’all have the first overtly pro-cancer HHS leaders. Literal death cult. If I was an American, I’d be in the streets every day protesting

Lisa Jarvis @lisamjarvis.bsky.social · Jul 25

Welp. www.wsj.com/health/healt...

Exclusive | RFK Jr. to Oust Advisory Panel on Cancer Screenings, HIV Prevention Drugs

The task force determines which preventive services insurers must cover at no cost to patients.

www.wsj.com

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Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · Jul 25

The official post:

apps.ualberta.ca/careers/post...

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Reposted by Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦

Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · Jul 24

Official posting coming soon, but here's a heads-up:

#Postdoc Opportunity for individuals with an interest in advancing the understanding of pancreatic islet hormones in health and #diabetes. Diverse backgrounds, skill sets and experiences are welcome!

www.bcell.org

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Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · Jul 24

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Patrick MacDonald🇨🇦 @bcellorg.bsky.social · Jul 24

Abundant resources and support within our lab and the Alberta Diabetes Institute at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Including one of the world's most active human research islet and pancreas biobanks (www.isletcore.ca). Interested? Recent (or upcoming) PhD in a relevant field? Reach out.

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