Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
@samlewis.bsky.social
2.5K followers 800 following 100 posts
Assistant Professor in the UC Berkeley Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, mtDNA obsessed, mother to the Lord of Chaos, she/her, personal account, views do not reflect those of my employer. https://www.samlewis-phd.com/
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samlewis.bsky.social
Thrilled to share a new preprint! 📝 🎉 Lewis lab PhD student Casadora wondered: Do mtDNA synthesis and lipid droplet biogenesis co-occur at the same membrane contact sites? Or can we discern distinct ER-mito contact classes? Evidence suggests the latter, relevant in overnutrition!
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
shimminykricket.bsky.social
I learned how to read well because I was doing it all the time. A Goosebumps book and an encyclopedia volume hated to see me coming. I dont even know how you develop proper reading skills if you only read books at school.
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
pratted.bsky.social
Announcing such a major change to NSF GRFP this late in the cycle is incredibly cruel. 2nd yr students (mine included) have been working so hard on their proposals despite ongoing uncertainty. They are driven and passionate about being outstanding scientists and helping those coming up behind them.
This means individuals in the following statuses at the time of application are eligible:

    Undergraduate in the final (senior) year of a bachelor’s degree program
    Bachelor’s degree-holder with NO enrollment in a graduate degree program (non-degree graduate coursework allowed)
    Individual enrolled in a joint bachelor’s-master’s degree program with at least three undergraduate years completed  
    First-year graduate student in their first graduate degree program with less than one academic year completed in the degree program (according to institution’s academic calendar)
        Individuals enrolled in joint bachelor’s-master’s degree programs are considered graduate students. For GRFP, joint bachelor’s-master’s degrees are defined as degrees concurrently pursued and awarded.
        Not be a current NSF employee.

Applications that do not meet eligibility requirements will be returned without review as being ineligible for a fellowship.
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
jimhurley.bsky.social
Position available! Team @mito911.bsky.social needs a new scientific program manager to take over from legendary super-PM @doroteaartscience.bsky.social, who is moving on to bigger things. This is a Berkeley-based position. Apply at aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05103.
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
charliejane.bsky.social
I don't really care if the future is short videos. I like words. Words have gotten me this far and I'm gonna stick with 'em for the duration
samlewis.bsky.social
Congratulations!!! 🎉🍾
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
asapresearch.parkinsonsroadmap.org
📣 Don't miss out on the upcoming @mito911.bsky.social webinar featuring Katie Drerup, PhD, from the University of Wisconsin.

👇 Reserve your spot using the link below.

📅 September 8
⏰ 11:00 AM EST
RSVP: bit.ly/4mUJeAc
samlewis.bsky.social
Ninth House, by Leigh Bardugo

supernatural thriller set at Yale
samlewis.bsky.social
... This work is useful for understanding the functional implications of variable network connectivity for the spread of e.g. genetic information within mitochondria! 🎉 Congrats to all co-authors!
samlewis.bsky.social
... the model by directly recording mitochondrial network dynamics in human fibroblasts, osteosarcoma, and neuroblastoma cells. We found that by considering mitochondria as a ✨social network✨, its possible to define when motility vs fusion predominate material spreading... 2/3
samlewis.bsky.social
I'm happy to share new work in collaboration with Elena Koslover's lab! First author Keaton developed a mathematical framework for diffusion of soluble material through mitochondrial networks. Then, Lewis lab PhD candidate Camryn used live cell imaging to parameterize... 1/3
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
florentwaltz.bsky.social
Mitochondria finally made the headlines, yay!

Oh wait, ... oh no ....
bunnibytz.bsky.social
via @acyn.bsky.social

RFK JR: I’m looking at kids as I walk through the airports today...and I see these kids that are just overburdened with mitochondrial challenges, inflammation—you can tell from their faces, movements, and lack of social connection
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
andersshansen.bsky.social
I have
NIGMS R35, impact score 12
NIHGRI R21, 4th percentile
NHGRI R01, 7th percentile (co-I)
and it seems like none will be funded. 0/3.

PO (who has been very helpful) said "Unfortunately, I do not expect this application will be selected for funding in FY25."

😭
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
cbv.bsky.social
Just got an email that the NIH Early Independence award is "not going forward." This was an award that catapulted promising PhD students into faculty positions and is part of the High-Risk High-Reward grant program in the NIH Office of the Director. Deadline was 9.6.25!
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
drugmonkey.bsky.social
One of the funnier things about the Yale prof who is advocating Niemollering the humanities is that his nirvana already exists. They are called Research Institutes. Why doesn’t he just change jobs to one of those and stop telling everyone else what to do?
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
elias-adriaenssens.bsky.social
Absolutely honoured to see our work featured on this month’s cover! 🎉🧬

Artwork by the incredibly talented @doroteaartscience.bsky.social 👇
natcellbio.nature.com
🏖️Our August issue's out!
Cover: Flexibility of #autophagy initiation

👉🏼Review on #metabolism in #embryogenesis #devbio
👉🏼Review on #DNArepair
🔬 #ribosomes #neurodevelopment #mitophagy #ferroptosis #stemcells #epigenetics #leukemia #antitumor immunity & more!
www.nature.com/ncb/volumes/...
samlewis.bsky.social
I would find someone else to upload on last day, and then address the discrepancy later if/when it comes up. Don't want it withdrawn for lacking right # of letters.
samlewis.bsky.social
After teaching the trafficking module, I assigned this as homework in MCB 104 last spring, "Tell me everything wrong with this picture". Eye opening.
An incorrect diagram generated by ChatGPT4 attempting to depict vesicular trafficking in a mammalian cell.
Reposted by Sam Lewis, Ph.D.
jimhurley.bsky.social
Congratulations @kev-in-situ-et.bsky.social and the whole team on in situ cryo-ET images of OA-induced mitochondria damage and Parkin-dependent mitophagy out now tinyurl.com/25b82cp4. We couldn't have done it without in situ guru @wilflinglab.bsky.social and mito guru @samlewis.bsky.social .‬
samlewis.bsky.social
Just look at those sweet, sweet phagophores

Great job @kev-in-situ-et.bsky.social and team!
jimhurley.bsky.social
Congratulations @kev-in-situ-et.bsky.social and the whole team on in situ cryo-ET images of OA-induced mitochondria damage and Parkin-dependent mitophagy out now tinyurl.com/25b82cp4. We couldn't have done it without in situ guru @wilflinglab.bsky.social and mito guru @samlewis.bsky.social .‬