Robert Rosencrans, PhD
@rfrosencrans.bsky.social
MD/PhD Student in BHM, AL. New Orleans born. autonomic neuroscientist. he/his. words mine
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Ben Barres autobiography removed from military library in "purge of DEI content" apnews.com/article/dei-...
media.defense.gov/2025/Apr/04/...
media.defense.gov/2025/Apr/04/...
media.defense.gov
May 19, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Ben Barres autobiography removed from military library in "purge of DEI content" apnews.com/article/dei-...
media.defense.gov/2025/Apr/04/...
media.defense.gov/2025/Apr/04/...
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
This is a stellar thread, and I'm encouraging all people with scientific backgrounds to write one like it
On Friday, my son stayed home from school because he had a sore throat and wasn’t feeling well. He went with my husband to his office for the morning while I handled our daughter. When he came back at lunch, he was not interested in eating, saying his throat hurt too much. 1/n
May 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
This is a stellar thread, and I'm encouraging all people with scientific backgrounds to write one like it
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Any talk you hear from the current administration about making the US more competitive in science and technology is utter bullshit. What they are doing is sabotaging our country for years if not decades to come.
The University of Pittsburgh confirmed Friday that there would be no new Ph.D. offers of admission while Pitt works to understand how reduced federal aid could impact the institution.
The University of Pittsburgh pauses its Ph.D. admissions process amid research funding uncertainty
A spokesperson for the University told WESA Friday that the school has "temporarily paused additional Ph.D. offers of admission," while Pitt works to understand how proposed federal funding cuts could...
www.wesa.fm
February 22, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Any talk you hear from the current administration about making the US more competitive in science and technology is utter bullshit. What they are doing is sabotaging our country for years if not decades to come.
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Late yesterday, Trump issued an executive order that terminates HHS's Long COVID advisory committee.
The committee's focus was bringing perspectives from outside government to inform action of the Executive Branch on Long COVID and other infection-associated chronic conditions.
The committee's focus was bringing perspectives from outside government to inform action of the Executive Branch on Long COVID and other infection-associated chronic conditions.
February 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Late yesterday, Trump issued an executive order that terminates HHS's Long COVID advisory committee.
The committee's focus was bringing perspectives from outside government to inform action of the Executive Branch on Long COVID and other infection-associated chronic conditions.
The committee's focus was bringing perspectives from outside government to inform action of the Executive Branch on Long COVID and other infection-associated chronic conditions.
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Never forget about training. The 1st author on the suzetrigine paper got his start in research as a postbac in the intramural program at NIH, a PhD at Columbia and a postdoc with Nobel laureate (although not at the time) David Julius at UCSF.
www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-...
/fin
www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-...
/fin
www.linkedin.com
February 22, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Never forget about training. The 1st author on the suzetrigine paper got his start in research as a postbac in the intramural program at NIH, a PhD at Columbia and a postdoc with Nobel laureate (although not at the time) David Julius at UCSF.
www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-...
/fin
www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiah-...
/fin
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Second: Of course, it was done in the private sector. Drug companies like Vertex have expertise that is complementary to that in academia although there is certainly some overlap. It is this complementarity that empowers the system (with appropriate regulations) to help humankind.
32/n
32/n
February 22, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Second: Of course, it was done in the private sector. Drug companies like Vertex have expertise that is complementary to that in academia although there is certainly some overlap. It is this complementarity that empowers the system (with appropriate regulations) to help humankind.
32/n
32/n
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
First: it is profoundly obvious that this would not have occurred without the huge foundation of fundamental research, conducted in laboratories in the US and around the world. This includes biochemistry, pharmacology, and neuroscience with the development of key technologies in every field.
31/n
31/n
February 22, 2025 at 10:45 AM
First: it is profoundly obvious that this would not have occurred without the huge foundation of fundamental research, conducted in laboratories in the US and around the world. This includes biochemistry, pharmacology, and neuroscience with the development of key technologies in every field.
31/n
31/n
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Remarkably, families were discovered with individuals who did not seem to experience physical pain and the variation responsible was mapped to the gene for NaV 1.7.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17167479/
23/n
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17167479/
23/n
An SCN9A channelopathy causes congenital inability to experience pain - PubMed
The complete inability to sense pain in an otherwise healthy individual is a very rare phenotype. In three consanguineous families from northern Pakistan, we mapped the condition as an autosomal-reces...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
February 22, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Remarkably, families were discovered with individuals who did not seem to experience physical pain and the variation responsible was mapped to the gene for NaV 1.7.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17167479/
23/n
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17167479/
23/n
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
He demonstrated that these toxins blocked sodium channels, using some of the electrophysiological methods pioneered by Hodgkin and Huxley and subsequently improved. After 5 years at NIH, Catterall moved to Seattle to set up his independent laboratory at the University of Washington.
11/n
11/n
February 22, 2025 at 10:31 AM
He demonstrated that these toxins blocked sodium channels, using some of the electrophysiological methods pioneered by Hodgkin and Huxley and subsequently improved. After 5 years at NIH, Catterall moved to Seattle to set up his independent laboratory at the University of Washington.
11/n
11/n
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Bill Catterall had completed his PhD at Johns Hopkins Med and then moved to NIH to do postdoctoral work with Marshall Nirenberg and then stayed on as a staff scientist at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. He worked on neurotoxins from scorpions, sea anemones, and salamanders.
10/n
10/n
February 22, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Bill Catterall had completed his PhD at Johns Hopkins Med and then moved to NIH to do postdoctoral work with Marshall Nirenberg and then stayed on as a staff scientist at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. He worked on neurotoxins from scorpions, sea anemones, and salamanders.
10/n
10/n
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
They performed the experiments in the squid giant axon. This nerve which controls part of the water jet system of this animal is much larger than most nerves, making it accessible for experimental investigation.
5/n
5/n
February 22, 2025 at 10:27 AM
They performed the experiments in the squid giant axon. This nerve which controls part of the water jet system of this animal is much larger than most nerves, making it accessible for experimental investigation.
5/n
5/n
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Sodium currents were detected and characterized by British scientists Alan Hodgkin and
Andrew Huxley who collaborated first before and then, 7 years later, after WW II. They developed methods for measuring currents across cell membranes.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
4/n
Andrew Huxley who collaborated first before and then, 7 years later, after WW II. They developed methods for measuring currents across cell membranes.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
4/n
A brief historical perspective: Hodgkin and Huxley
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
February 22, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Sodium currents were detected and characterized by British scientists Alan Hodgkin and
Andrew Huxley who collaborated first before and then, 7 years later, after WW II. They developed methods for measuring currents across cell membranes.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
4/n
Andrew Huxley who collaborated first before and then, 7 years later, after WW II. They developed methods for measuring currents across cell membranes.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
4/n
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Let trace back how this drug was developed. First, let’s think a bit about sodium channels.
Actually, without sodium channels we wouldn’t be doing much thinking or anything else. They are among the most central players in the transmission of signals in our nervous system.
3/n
Actually, without sodium channels we wouldn’t be doing much thinking or anything else. They are among the most central players in the transmission of signals in our nervous system.
3/n
February 22, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Let trace back how this drug was developed. First, let’s think a bit about sodium channels.
Actually, without sodium channels we wouldn’t be doing much thinking or anything else. They are among the most central players in the transmission of signals in our nervous system.
3/n
Actually, without sodium channels we wouldn’t be doing much thinking or anything else. They are among the most central players in the transmission of signals in our nervous system.
3/n
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
The FDA recently approved a novel pain medication developed by Vertex, Journavx (suzetrigine)
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
1/n
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
1/n
FDA Approves Novel Non-Opioid Treatment for Moderate to Severe Acute Pain
The FDA approved Journavx (suzetrigine) 50 mg oral tablets, a first-in-class non-opioid analgesic to treat moderate to severe acute pain in adults.
www.fda.gov
February 22, 2025 at 10:21 AM
The FDA recently approved a novel pain medication developed by Vertex, Journavx (suzetrigine)
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
1/n
www.fda.gov/news-events/...
1/n
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
The breadth and scope of cowardice amongst our scientific leadership is staggering.
SCOOP: The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, arguably the nation's most powerful scientific organization, is bending to political pressure and removing terms like "health equity" from pending reports. Members are not happy. Story by me: www.statnews.com/2025/02/20/n...
National Academies is altering pending reports to appease Trump administration, some members say
Words such as “health equity” are being replacing with vaguer terms, and 100 members sent a letter of protest to NASEM leaders.
www.statnews.com
February 21, 2025 at 7:21 AM
The breadth and scope of cowardice amongst our scientific leadership is staggering.
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
“I never thought antivaxx policies would be put first in MY state,” sobs man who single-handedly cleared the way for antivaxxers to dictate health policy for the entire country
February 16, 2025 at 10:38 PM
“I never thought antivaxx policies would be put first in MY state,” sobs man who single-handedly cleared the way for antivaxxers to dictate health policy for the entire country
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Thanks to all of the NIHers and their friends who reached out to me. I am still here (DM me or Signal jeremymberg.78)
I still have a very incomplete picture but based on what I have been told, the damage to NIH and to many wonderful people who work(ed) there is/was impossible for me to imagine
1/n
I still have a very incomplete picture but based on what I have been told, the damage to NIH and to many wonderful people who work(ed) there is/was impossible for me to imagine
1/n
February 16, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Thanks to all of the NIHers and their friends who reached out to me. I am still here (DM me or Signal jeremymberg.78)
I still have a very incomplete picture but based on what I have been told, the damage to NIH and to many wonderful people who work(ed) there is/was impossible for me to imagine
1/n
I still have a very incomplete picture but based on what I have been told, the damage to NIH and to many wonderful people who work(ed) there is/was impossible for me to imagine
1/n
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
It’s been buried in all the news today, but every scientist in the US should pay attention to this:
Mike Lauer went out on a limb for us all, sending out a memo saying institutes should start awarding grants. And it looks like Trump/Musk fired him for that. 🧪
Mike Lauer went out on a limb for us all, sending out a memo saying institutes should start awarding grants. And it looks like Trump/Musk fired him for that. 🧪
NEW: In a further sign of turmoil at the NIH, Mike Lauer, who oversees the agency's $39 billion extramural budget that goes to research outside the NIH, has resigned effective tomorrow.
This comes after top NIH official Larry Tabak abruptly retired yesterday.
This comes after top NIH official Larry Tabak abruptly retired yesterday.
February 14, 2025 at 9:40 PM
It’s been buried in all the news today, but every scientist in the US should pay attention to this:
Mike Lauer went out on a limb for us all, sending out a memo saying institutes should start awarding grants. And it looks like Trump/Musk fired him for that. 🧪
Mike Lauer went out on a limb for us all, sending out a memo saying institutes should start awarding grants. And it looks like Trump/Musk fired him for that. 🧪
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Every Atlantic feature on totalitarian Bard sophomores should have been about America's Elite Backbone Crisis
February 14, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Every Atlantic feature on totalitarian Bard sophomores should have been about America's Elite Backbone Crisis
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
One of the most important roles of the NSF is to support science and tech ecosystem in the US. This ecosystem drives basic science breakthroughs that industry can build on. It also supports the education of a skilled workforce so that actual tech firms don’t have to hire utter imbeciles like these.
Anyone Can Push Updates to the DOGE.gov Website
"THESE 'EXPERTS' LEFT THEIR DATABASE OPEN."
www.404media.co
February 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
One of the most important roles of the NSF is to support science and tech ecosystem in the US. This ecosystem drives basic science breakthroughs that industry can build on. It also supports the education of a skilled workforce so that actual tech firms don’t have to hire utter imbeciles like these.
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
Proud of my boss bringing it tonight.
Deeply appreciated the candor from AAAS CEO Sudip Parikh today. Now is not the time to mince words. RFK is unfit — point-blank. #aaasmtg
February 14, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Proud of my boss bringing it tonight.
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
How much Elon Musk makes from the government a day: $8 million.
How much a senior on Social Security gets a day: $65
Guess which budget Musk and Trump want to cut?
How much a senior on Social Security gets a day: $65
Guess which budget Musk and Trump want to cut?
February 12, 2025 at 6:07 PM
How much Elon Musk makes from the government a day: $8 million.
How much a senior on Social Security gets a day: $65
Guess which budget Musk and Trump want to cut?
How much a senior on Social Security gets a day: $65
Guess which budget Musk and Trump want to cut?
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
We only know this man is in Gitmo because Noem tweeted a propaganda photo that included him and his sister saw it. He has no criminal record. He entered the US in January and immediately made an appointment with CBP to claim asylum. They sent him to a concentration camp bc of his basketball tattoo.
Venezuelan Migrant Sent to Guantánamo Bay Is ‘Not a Criminal,’ Family Pleads (Gift Article)
Luis Alberto Castillo arrived in the United States so that he could “give everything to his son,” said his sister. Then, while scrolling on TikTok, she found out he was headed to Guantánamo.
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2025 at 4:09 PM
We only know this man is in Gitmo because Noem tweeted a propaganda photo that included him and his sister saw it. He has no criminal record. He entered the US in January and immediately made an appointment with CBP to claim asylum. They sent him to a concentration camp bc of his basketball tattoo.
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
i mean, the president's executive order isn't a goddamn law! as far as this doctor is concerned, who cares what the president says!
A New York City doctor said he will continue providing gender-affirming treatments to his patients younger than 19 despite President Donald Trump’s executive order aiming to ban such care.
New York doctor says he'll continue providing transition care despite Trump executive order
As legal battles are fought over an executive order restricting transgender care for patients younger than 19, some clinics continue to provide the care, while others are backing off.
www.nbcnews.com
February 12, 2025 at 2:20 AM
i mean, the president's executive order isn't a goddamn law! as far as this doctor is concerned, who cares what the president says!
Reposted by Robert Rosencrans, PhD
A Direct Hit, by @holdenthorp.bsky.social @science.org
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
"This is a moment to unite."
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
"This is a moment to unite."
February 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
A Direct Hit, by @holdenthorp.bsky.social @science.org
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
"This is a moment to unite."
www.science.org/doi/full/10....
"This is a moment to unite."