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Lara K. Mahal

@glycocode.bsky.social

870 followers 900 following 210 posts

CERC in Glycomics, Director of Glycomics Institute of Alberta(www.glyco-alberta.ca), Professor of Chemistry, Univ. of Alberta. Work on #glycotime with lectin microarrays and discovering new aspects of #miRNA. Opinions are mine (she/her). www.glycocode.org

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Lara K. Mahal @glycocode.bsky.social · Jan 13

Proud of @faezehjame.bsky.social and our latest paper on upregulation by #miRNA. miRNA upregulate protein expression of CD98hc, ST3GAL1 and ST3GAL2 in a coordinated manner. Regulation is bidirectional, changing the picture on how these #RNA work. #glycotime
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... 🧪

Screening the human miRNA interactome reveals coordinated up-regulation in melanoma, adding bidirectional regulation to miRNA networks

Analysis of ST3GAL1/2 and CD98hc regulation by miRNA reveals co–up-regulation, adding a bidirectional twist to miRNA networks.

www.science.org

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

University of California @uofcalifornia.bsky.social · 9h

Congratulations to @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social professor Omar M. Yaghi for winning the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his groundbreaking work, which has already shown promise in yielding drinkable water from desert air. 💙 💛 🏅 www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/uc-berk...

UC Berkeley’s Omar Yaghi shares 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry

Yaghi created a field called reticular chemistry, which involves stitching together molecular building blocks to form porous structures — metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) — with myriad applications.

www.universityofcalifornia.edu

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Jeremy Baskin @jeremybaskin.bsky.social · 1d

A while back we found that the lipid-binding protein PLEKHA4 boosts Wnt/β-catenin signaling and drives melanoma growth in vivo. Now, we (Nathan Frederick) identify small-molecule inhibitors of PLEKHA4 & related proteins with anticancer activity in vitro! pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/....

Discovery, Optimization, and Anticancer Activity of Lipid-Competitive Pleckstrin Homology Domain-Containing Family A Inhibitors

Phosphoinositide signaling is a major cellular mechanism controlling cancer cell viability, proliferation, and survival. Yet, inhibition of lipid kinases that produce oncogenic phosphoinositides has afforded only a limited number of efficacious drugs attributed in large part to on-target toxicity resulting from the pleiotropic effects of these signaling lipids. Targeting the specific phosphoinositide effector pathways via competitive inhibitors of phosphoinositide-recognizing pleckstrin homology (PH) domains represents a relatively unexplored means to achieve greater specificity. Herein, we present the discovery from in silico screening, structure–activity relationship (SAR) optimization, and cellular characterization of novel phosphoinositide-competitive inhibitors of the pleckstrin homology domain-containing A (PLEKHA) family. These compounds induce cytotoxic effects in BRAF and NRAS mutant melanoma cells, consistent with on-target inhibition, and the most potent compound is activated by endogenous esterase activity, suggesting that prodrug esters represent a viable strategy for targeting the phosphoinositide-binding pockets of the PLEKHA family of PH domains.

pubs.acs.org

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Lara K. Mahal @glycocode.bsky.social · 1d

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Natalie, PhD @current-hypothesis.bsky.social · 1d

Undergrad and grad #chemistry students, Merck now has applications open for 2026 internships and co-ops in their Future Talent Program!

Includes discovery, process, chembio,
and computational roles.

One of the directors compiled a list here: www.linkedin.com/pos...

#chemsky

#internship #co #chemistry #merck #merckchemistry #futuretalentprogram #ftp2026 | Nunzio Sciammetta

Merck is hiring 2026 interns & co‑ops across Chemistry disciplines (organic synthesis, enabling technologies, analytical, computational modeling, chemoinformatics, chemical biology, and more) into the Future Talent Program. Below are links to current openings. Please review the job descriptions carefully and apply to the role that best matches your scientific interests and skills. Quick tips: tailor your resume/cover letter to the specific role, highlight relevant techniques/projects, scientific interests, coursework, and hands‑on practical skills, and apply early. Discovery and Process Chemistry Intern: https://lnkd.in/e32PwK7b Discovery and Process Chemistry Co-op: https://lnkd.in/epy5cDSU Chemical Biology Intern: https://lnkd.in/ejE46Qid Protein & Structural Chemistry: https://lnkd.in/eJfaG9Ti Computational Modeling & Informatics: https://lnkd.in/eWsEx2x2 Discovery Sample Management Analytical Chemistry intern: https://lnkd.in/epqm58ea Discovery Sample Management Automation intern: https://lnkd.in/ePwvueYQ DPTM Operations Intern: https://lnkd.in/eVxqtz-2 Chemical Engineering Research & Development Intern: https://lnkd.in/eAae4i2K Chemical Biotechnologies Intern: https://lnkd.in/eUpyuewv Chemical Biotechnologies Co-Op: https://lnkd.in/e4JgtGC2 Data Rich Experimentation Intern: https://lnkd.in/epwNDnG8 Analytical Research & Development Intern: https://lnkd.in/e3rhrNVM Analytical Research & Development Co-Op: https://lnkd.in/e49Gupg8 #internship #co‑op #chemistry #Merck #MerckChemistry #FutureTalentProgram #FTP2026

www.linkedin.com

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

1000WomeninSTEM @1000womeninstem.bsky.social · 1d

8️⃣8️⃣ Frances Oldham Kelsey (1914-2015) 🇨🇦 #womeninSTEM Canadian pharmacologist and physician, FDA expert who refused marketing authorization for thalidomide in the USA because she felt its safety had not been demonstrated.

thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/f...

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 1d

Roxana Halls,
Laughing While Conducting - Fan, 2022,
contemporary UK painter #WomensArt

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

WHO @who.int · 1d

Postpartum haemorrhage is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality globally.

Even when not fatal, it can lead to lifelong physical and mental health impacts, from major organ damage to hysterectomies, anxiety and trauma.

It is highly treatable if caught early

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Lara K. Mahal @glycocode.bsky.social · 2d

#glycotime

Lara K. Mahal @glycocode.bsky.social · 2d

We’re excited to invite you to the @giaglyco.bsky.social GIA2025 Symposium on Thursday and Friday, November 6–7. Registration is free and the event will take place in person and virtually for those joining online. glyco-alberta.ca/gia2025/ Come get the latest #Glycogang swag!

GIA2025

Join us for our fourth annual symposium, a celebration of knowledge and innovation in the field of glycoscience! Whether you’re an aspiring scientist or a seasoned researcher…

glyco-alberta.ca

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Silky @silkyweineck.bsky.social · 2d

The students get it. www.michigandaily.com/statement/ai...

AI ate my homework: My experience with the University’s AI toolkit

I don’t understand AI enough to properly dislike it. And I’m curious as to why the University is pushing this tool so much if it inherently devalues learning. So I immersed myself in artificial intell...

www.michigandaily.com

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 3d

'Protected' by Yorkshire born printmaker Hester Cox.
#ReframingWomenPrintmakers

Print in orange and brown hurs featuring a curked up fox looking out towards the viewed while lying among autumn leaves

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Craig McCormick @craigmccormick.bsky.social · 3d

Proud of these kids standing up to bullies.

Sophie Molly @sophiemolly.co.uk · 4d

Heroes!

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Calgary students stage widespread school walkout to protest Alberta's transgender laws | CBC News

Students across several Calgary high schools walked out of class Friday morning to protest the province’s three controversial laws affecting transgender people across health-care, education and sports...

www.cbc.ca

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Holly Moeller @mixotrophe.bsky.social · 5d

🚨GRFP DEADLINE ALERT!🚨 I missed this in my original solicitation read-through, so FYI 📣LETTERS ARE DUE BEFORE PROPOSALS📣 this year!

"Reference letters are due Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)."

www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

www.nsf.gov

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Calum Cunningham @calxcunningham.bsky.social · 6d

Out today in @science.org, we show wildfire disasters have surged in the last decade, as climate change intensifies fire weather and exacerbates other vulnerabilities.

📄 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

With @pyrogeog.bsky.social @climate-guy.bsky.social

Climate-linked escalation of societally disastrous wildfires

Climate change and land mismanagement are creating increasingly fire-prone built and natural environments. However, despite worsening fire seasons, evidence is lacking globally for trends in socially ...

www.science.org

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Lara K. Mahal @glycocode.bsky.social · 5d

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Anders H. Lund @andershlund.bsky.social · 5d

We have an open group leader position in diabetes 1 research.
Please circulate!

www.nature.com/naturecareer....

164887 Professor or Associate Professor and Research Group Leader with special focus on molecular me - Copenhagen, Hovedstaden (DK) job with The Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Universi...

BRIC wishes to recruit a strongly motivated scientist at Associate Professor or Professor level for an independent research group leader position. ...

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Josh Rosenau @joshrosenau.org · 5d

I gotta say I think it’s cool we have a mural up in town to honor the awesome Octavia Butler, who lived car-free in LFP.

“Many contributions to science fiction” sells her short, but writing captions always means omitting context.

A mural of Octavia Butler, a Black woman in a red shirt and short hair, looking up. Next to her, trees and a street sign saying “Octavia Butler Ave.” And a note that: “Octavia Butler (1947-2006) lived in Lake Forest Park from 1999 until her death. In 2023 the city named a street after her in recognition of her many contributions to the world of science fiction.”

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Madhu Pai, MD, PhD @madhupai.bsky.social · 6d

PubMed is in trouble

This is beyond bad for medical research

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Victor Tatarskiy @greenrat.bsky.social · 6d

Neat trick if you polycolonal ab's suck. Incubate them with fixed cells with a KO of your protein of interest, then spin. Protocol here: www.med.upenn.edu/markslab/ass...
I was amazed how well it worked on first try (I'm sure that I can completely eliminate unspecific bands)
#WesternBlot #cellsky

On the left - western blot of B16F10 cells wt and KO for CDK8. Our in house produced antibodies give a lot of unspecific bands. On the right same probes with antibodies preincubated with fixed CDK8 KO cells - there is a specific band and faint unspecific bands, which can be probably eliminated with increase of amount of KO cells.

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

c0nc0rdance @c0nc0rdance.bsky.social · 5d

When Vesta Stoudt, munitions worker, wrote to FDR about paper-backed tape used to waterproof munitions box.
The paper tabs could tear, making the boxes difficult to open in combat.

FDR directed Revolite Corporation (now J&J) to make the tape she proposed: cloth-backed, plastic-coated.

Meet the determined woman who invented duct tape

The iconic product has been around for 75 years. Learn about the "aha" moment that sparked the idea for its creation, the U.S. president who pushed it forward—and how Johnson & Johnson helped bring it...

www.jnj.com

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Lara K. Mahal @glycocode.bsky.social · 5d

A real triumph for #glycotime and basic research, thanks to the work of Steve Withers and others.🧪

Nature @nature.com · 5d

This first of its kind procedure could improve access to donor organs because the donor blood type would no longer matter

go.nature.com/3IToaM3

First human transplant of kidney modified to have ‘universal’ blood type

Recipient diagnosed with brain death received a type-O organ, which is compatible with all blood types.

go.nature.com

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Kevin Ault @kevinault.bsky.social · 6d

Here's the study I pointed out here on @bsky.app during the ACIP meeting. It is a large Scandinavian study of 343,066 infants. Maternal vaccination in the first trimester was not associated with increased risk of congenital anomalies via @cidrap.bsky.social.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/no-...

No increase in birth defects found following COVID vaccination in pregnancy

www.cidrap.umn.edu

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 6d

The death of the premature baby born after their mother contracted measles highlights the danger of more and more people refusing vaccines.

An individual is contagious 4 days before the rash appears.

Imagine a child with measles at a daycare full of babies too young to be vaccinated.

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Lara K. Mahal @glycocode.bsky.social · 6d

Congratulations!🎉

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Charlie Angus @charlieangus104.bsky.social · 6d

A powerful statement by the Dave Mathews Band on the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall.
"Hope is an act of resistance when the world is run by cruelty and greed"

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona @prbb.org · 6d

Meet Macarena Toll-Riera, group leader at @ibe-barcelona.bsky.social , whose passion for #evolution led her from Zürich back to @prbb.org

👉In our interview she shares insights on #WomenInScience, #Sustainability & research challenges

Have a read!👇
https://tuit.cat/pbPgm

#PRBBcommunity

Macarena Toll-Riera (IBE): a lifetime studying evolution - El·lipse

In this interview, Macarena Toll-Riera, head of the evolutionary microbiology group (IBE: CSIC-UPF), explains her path to the field of evolution.

tuit.cat

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Reposted by Lara K. Mahal

Leonhard Möckl @lmoeckl.bsky.social · 6d

NEW PREPRINT: Spatial mapping of cell-surface protein glycosylation at molecular resolution 🍭🍬🔬
For the first time, we can analyze the spatial architecture of the cell-surface glycoproteome at single-protein and single-sugar resolution. #glycotime

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Spatial mapping of cell-surface protein glycosylation at molecular resolution

Cell-surface protein glycosylation is a fundamental post-translational modification that plays a crucial role in membrane protein function and cellular behavior. However, elucidating the molecular spa...

www.biorxiv.org

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