Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · 1d

Our latest immunology study reveals rheumatoid arthritis begins silently attacking the immune system years before symptoms appear.

This 7-year study is team science at its best. It opens the door to preventing RA before it begins and better patient outcomes.

alleninstitute.org/news/new-stu...

New study reveals rheumatoid arthritis begins long before symptoms, opening door to prevention

The seven-year study reveals early-warning signs that could help doctors catch the disease before it starts, potentially saving patients years of pain and disability.

alleninstitute.org

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · 15d

It was my honor to host Consul General Eunji Seo from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle for tours of our open science facilities and discussions about future partnerships. 🇰🇷🇺🇸

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · 16d

Both science and art are driven by curiosity, creativity, and a desire to understand our world. #AtAllenInstitute, we celebrate the role creativity plays in scientific discovery. Here's an excerpt from an insightful discussion I had with Scott Stulen, CEO of @seattleartmuseum.bsky.social.

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Jul 17

Thanks to our partnership with @asapresearch.parkinsonsroadmap.org, the ABC Atlas now includes Parkinson’s disease data.

This gives everyone a powerful tool for decoding how diseases like Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s affect the brain.

alleninstitute.org/news/a-new-v...

Collaboration Expands Research Tool to Help Crack the Code on Parkinson’s and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases

A new view of Parkinson’s disease

alleninstitute.org

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Jul 14

I’m incredibly excited to welcome Sarah Norris Hall as the new Chief Financial Officer of the @alleninstitute.org! Sarah is a passionate and dedicated leader with a proven record of stewardship and impact.

alleninstitute.org/news/allen-i...

Allen Institute names Sarah Norris Hall as next Chief Financial Officer

Norris Hall’s experience and insight into financial operations will help enable and propel transformative science at the Allen Institute.

Alleninstitute.org

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Jun 21

Today is #ALSAwarenessDay, a day to raise awareness of a disease that devastates lives.

At @alleninstitute.org, we've developed a genetic toolkit that acts like a GPS system, precisely targeting neurons destroyed by ALS & offering new paths to study the disease and, potentially, deliver therapies.

Scientists can now target the cells at the center of ALS

For the first time ever, scientists have developed a precise genetic toolkit that can target the exact nerve cells destroyed by ALS—a discovery that...

alleninstitute.org

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Jun 20

Science education is important not just for educating the next generation of science leaders, but also for enriching the minds of the next generation of leaders in all areas of our society.

Allen Institute @alleninstitute.org · Jun 18

Science is for everyone.

Our Education & Engagement program empowers students, educators, and scientists to harness the power of real-world #OpenScience tools and data.

📽️ youtu.be/uDnCFnzDLec

#EduSky #iTeachBio #Neuroskyence

Allen Institute Education and Engagement Program: Fostering the Next Generation of Scientists

YouTube video by Allen Institute

youtu.be

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Jun 2

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. At @alleninstitute.org, we're mapping the disease at the cellular level and sharing the data with the world.

Join us on 6/5 for a webinar with AARP and @uwmedicine.bsky.social to explore the latest in our brain aging research.

🧠📈 aarp.org/brainhealthwa

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · May 22

I'm excited to announce the opening of our new education laboratory!

This purpose-built space is designed to inspire students by offering hands-on experiences with real-world scientific techniques.

Our goal is to ignite curiosity and foster a love for science through interactive learning.

Allen Institute @alleninstitute.org · May 22

Curiosity sparked. 🧠✨

We're opening the doors to our new education lab. In this space, students don't just learn about science, they do science. Hands-on, data-driven, curiosity-fueled.

#EduSky #iTeachBio

Allen Institute opens new education lab in Seattle to strengthen science globally

YouTube video by Allen Institute

youtu.be

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · May 16

Always a pleasure catching up with the impressive alumni network of the @alleninstitute.org. Their continued dedication to big, collaborative, and open science across the world is a testament to the foundations built here.

Allen Institute @alleninstitute.org · May 16

Thank you to all the alumni who made RE:CONNECT such a blast last night! We had a great time sharing our work and vision with the people who created the foundation we stand on today. #allenimpact

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · May 15

Congrats to the Cell Science team at @AllenInstitute.org for launching CellScapes. By combining our expertise in 3D cellular organization, imaging methods, and computational frameworks, this boundary-pushing moonshot could change our understanding of how cells form organs.

#CellBiology

Allen Institute @alleninstitute.org · May 15

A new era of cellular biology.

Today, we’re launching CellScapes. The mission – to uncover the foundational principles of how cells behave collectively and change states in health and disease.

#CellBio

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · May 6

Pictured above: Me with my PhD mentor Alcino Silva and my PhD opponent Domingos Henrique on the day of my PhD defense

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · May 6

On #TeacherAppreciationDay, I reflect on the pivotal role of educators in my life. From my vet school days to my pursuit of neuroscience, teachers have been the guiding lights on my journey. Their belief in my potential gave me the courage to follow my passion, even when the path was uncertain.

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · May 1

Mental health is health. As a neuroscientist and optimist, I’m proud of the work happening at @alleninstitute.bsky.social and beyond that is paving the way to a brighter future.

One of my favorite ways to unwind and support my own mental health is walking my dog! #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Apr 9

Our scientists w/ over 150 collaborators have released the largest functional map and wiring diagram of the brain to date – 7 years in the making. This moonshot milestone will further efforts towards understanding the cortical mechanisms of intelligence. Congrats to the teams who made this possible.

Allen Institute @alleninstitute.org · Apr 9

How does the brain work?

Scientists are closer to the answer with the largest wiring diagram and functional map of a mammalian brain to date. 🧵

🧠📈

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Apr 7

Thomas and I engaged in a fireside chat exploring the intersection of neuroscience and architecture, discussing how neuroscience can guide the creation "built environments" that increase engagement and more human-centric architecture. (3/3)

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Apr 7

Our first collaboration is with Thomas Heatherwick and the Humanise campaign, aiming to raise awareness about the impact of architecture on emotions, mental health, and overall quality of life. (2/3)

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Apr 7

Science intersects with many aspects of life and society.

The @alleninstitute.bsky.social is launching a series of Impact Partnerships, fostering dynamic collaborations between science, design, art, music, and community. (1/3)

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Mar 26

Yay! Congratulations Amy, so deserved but it fella good doesn’t it?

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Reposted by Rui Costa

Amy Orsborn @neuroamyo.bsky.social · Mar 25

Call me associate, not assistant*

*starting 9/16/25

a heart with "call me hot, not pretty" written on it. Hot is crossed out with "associate" above it, and "pretty" is crossed out with "assistant" written below it.

Screenshot of a spreadsheet with entries showing that Amy Orsborn will be promoted from assistant to associate professor effective 9/16/25

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Reposted by Rui Costa

Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · Mar 26

Predicting the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in the next 10 years with blood biomarkers, such as p-Tau217
www.nature.com/articles/s41... @naturemedicine.bsky.social

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Mar 19

Great news for families grappling with Dravet Syndrome.

This work is a testament to how foundational science research can foster translational breakthroughs.

I’m very proud of the incredible #TeamScience at the @alleninstitute.bsky.social and partnership with Seattle Children’s Research Institute.

Allen Institute @alleninstitute.org · Mar 19

New hope for families battling Dravet Syndrome.

Scientists have developed a new gene replacement therapy that could improve treatments for a rare and life-altering form of epilepsy. 🧵

#Neuroskyence #DravetSyndrome

Image of cells impacted by Dravet Syndrome with the words "Breakthrough Dravet Syndrome gene therapy in mice brings new hope to families. Scientists successfully replace defective gene to alleviate symptoms without side effects."

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Mar 14

OpenScope has been a game-changer in neuroscience and served as a shining example of #OpenScience. I'm incredibly proud of how this program has allowed important questions about the brain to be pursued and shared with the world.

Allen Institute @alleninstitute.org · Mar 14

Great questions can come from anywhere. OpenScope allows researchers from around the world to pitch experiments to be run – at not cost to them – in the Allen Brain Observatory. 🧠📈

🍿 youtu.be/13r9n0pSDLc

#BrainAwarenessWeek

OpenScope Impact

YouTube video by Allen Institute

youtu.be

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Mar 14

The brain shapes our identity, memories, and emotions. Understanding it is key to combating brain diseases affecting over 3 billion people.

#BrainAwarenessWeek highlights the @alleninstitute.bsky.social's groundbreaking work. Let's raise awareness & inspire action for brain health. #ScienceMatters

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Rui Costa @ruimcosta.bsky.social · Mar 7

Happy #EmployeeAppreciationDay to the inspiring teams at the @alleninstitute.bsky.social. Whether you're in the lab, admin, or scientific support, your contributions are critical for our moonshots and mission. Thank you for your collaboration and commitment. Together we go farther!

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