Manuscript update alert!
Correcting expanded repeats with the #CRISPR Cas9 nickase.
In the brain!
Of a #Huntington’s disease model!
With improvements to molecular phenotypes!
And rescued locomotion!
A massive team effort.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Ever wondered why there are interruptions in expanded repeats?
Here are our thoughts:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
(We think the answer is double-strand break repair)
PS: I’ve not been on here for a bit, but I needed to do some self promotion.
Next up prof. Vincent Dion from the @ukdri.ac.uk is talking science fact, not science fiction, and telling us about his groups approach to finding a treatment for Huntingtons. @alzheimersresearchuk.org
Our second speaker of the day, Dr Lelos talking to us about cell therapy and how this might be used to treat Huntingtons. @alzheimersresearchuk.org
Image shows a researcher in a stage explaining Huntington’s disease. He is talking about the CAG expansion found in this disease.
ARUK public engagement at the @cardiffcity.bsky.social stadium. Dr Massey kicking it off by talking to us about Huntington’s Disease, what it is and how we might be cure it. @alzheimersresearchuk.org
Yes, that’s another good reason: it is expansive to move abroad!
We are lucky to be among the funded projects (We’re in good company!)
We’re de-risking our gene editing approach for expanded repeat disorders (e.g. Huntington’s disease, myotonic dystrophy…).
One step closer to the clinic!
www.ukdri.ac.uk/news-and-eve...
Postdoc position still available in my group at Imperial. We are looking for talented and enthusiastic candidates with significant experience with live imaging/ electrophysiology. Deadline 3/4/25 www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-...
@bioclocksuk.bsky.social @imperialbrains.bsky.social @ukdri.ac.uk
If you are from abroad and/or you have already been thinking of leaving, this is a good push.
But for the vast majority of people, going abroad is not a solution.
3) There are not enough science jobs for hundreds of Americans to suddenly go abroad.
4) This is a grass is greener on the other side idea. There are problems with the systems elsewhere also.
2) Getting funding in another country’s funding system is not trivial. NIH-style grant is not the same as MRC or CIHR grants. The cultures, reviewers, and expected preliminary data are all different. It’s a new skill to learn.
1) It is incredibly hard to move countries, you lose your social circle and you uproot your kids/partner who also have local lives/jobs/studies.
I’ll say it again because it is important. American scientists will not en masse leave the US.
This is for several reasons. Here are a few.
For those already on the fence, we are recruiting a new centre director.
www.ukdri.ac.uk/vacancies/ce...
I did this podcast about where we are with our gene editing approach for expanded repeat disorders. I think you’ll enjoy it. I did anyway!
open.spotify.com/episode/5aPX...
I need your help in spreading the word. We need a new director. The link is here:
www.ukdri.ac.uk/vacancies/ce...
If you have been affected by the fires in LA, or are concerned about your ability to keep precious Drosophila strains going during the latest funding crisis, we will host your strains as a backup. Please email me.
Please amplify. If you are also able to host fly strains, add your name as well.
I don’t think many of my American scientist friends will leave the US despite the recent political changes affecting the NIH.
But if they were interested, they should apply to become centre director here in Cardiff!
www.ukdri.ac.uk/vacancies/ce...
We are looking for a new director of the UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University! We are doing work on #Huntingtons #Alzheimers #PD.
This is a unique opportunity to be my boss!
To apply:
krb-sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Sear...
Dr Gabriel Balmus at the UK Dementia Research Institute @ukdri.bsky.social, University of Cambridge is seekign a Research Assistant to work on DNA Damage and Huntington's Disease. Closing date: 19th January
www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/job/research...
Another week, another great paper! Kudos to the amazing grad student, Chiara Masnovo who single-handedly initiated and led the project, and arranged a terrific collaboration with the Aharoni lab from Ben-Gurion University, and to the great members of the two labs.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...?
Mcm10 — an important replication and elongation factor, counteracts repeat instability and ensures survival of yeast cells containing large homopurine homopyrimidine repeats, such as GAA associated with Friedreich’s Ataxia and AAGGG associated with CANVAS. 🧬 @natureportfolio.bsky.social
In a study of brain cells from mice and humans, researchers have uncovered a 'chemical metronome' which tells us when its time to sleep.😴
The scientists say this could have implications for treating jetlag and sleep disorders.👇
www.imperial.ac.uk/news/258953/...
I’m a fan! 😍
Well done @semirkin.bsky.social and team!
Looks like where you nick DNA matters a lot!
www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1...
