The Science of Storytelling

For those who've yet to hear her speak, Liz Marnik is giving a virtual science cafe on 'the science of storytelling' March 9th. One can register here: mdibl.org/event/the-sc...

Opinion | I’m an Immunologist. I Grew Up Unvaccinated.

So proud to see this guest essay in the NYTimes from @sciencewhizliz.bsky.social on growing up unvaccinated and what it taught her about science and trust. Liz was a postdoc with us ('16-'20) and is an exceptional science communicator. Also, her old desk is empty - open postdoc position (pls share).

Schematics of our increasing knowledge of in vivo human primordial germ cell development, and a summary of the exciting hPGCLC maturation protocols:
@dev-journal.bsky.social @biologists.bsky.social

Thanks to both of you!

C. elegans, ba ba ba. #Worm25

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Two cancelled flights, ten delays, and a 36-hour odyssey past Polyphemous, Scylla, Charybdis, and the Laestrygonians—but we finally made it to #Worm25!

Delays/cancellations abound. We're now set to arrive before midnight tomorrow. Hopefully, we can display one of our posters at a later session.

Ah, the joys of traveling anywhere from downeast Maine - our flight out of Bangor to #Worm25 was cancelled. Delayed, but not deterred - we'll see all you worm folk tomorrow.

My strains are DUP because UP was taken. 🥹😁

Part of the puzzle unlocked. Excellent work from the Phillips and Montgomery labs.

Congratulations, Miguel.

C. elegans transgenerational avoidance of P. fluorescens is mediated by the Pfs1 sRNA and vab-1 C. elegans’ TEI of learned pathogen avoidance is induced by a third bacterial small RNA, Pfs1, from P. fluorescens 15.

🧪#Celegans - I am very excited to announce the publication of our latest finding in transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI) of learned pathogen avoidance - • C. elegans transgenerational avoidance of P. fluorescens is mediated by the Pfs1 sRNA and vab-1 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

The first C. elegans paper from lab! We find that, similar to mammals, tRNA-fragments (or the new name in the field tDRs) accumulate in worm sperm and can transmit non-genetically inherited phenotypes to offspring. We also find an RNase that regulates their processing, showing that length matters

Science thrives because of our dedicated researchers, students, supporters, and community members. At MDI Bio Lab, we believe in the power of discovery, education, and collaboration. Thank you for #standupforscience2025, believing in science, and being part of our community!

#standwithscience 🧪 🤝

Funding science is like betting on horses. Only with science, for each dollar you bet on a horse, you average getting two to three dollars in winnings. Also, you can bet on more than one horse in the field. Plus you learn something that up to that moment, no one knew before.

What an amazing discovery from Scott Kennedy's lab! A new splicing system that recognizes transposons and removes them from mRNAs! t.co/3p3wyxkYXX

Receipts. I think my eyes rolled so far back into my head when I read this that 'wildly' escaped my attention. But yes, wildly.

An actual quote from a recent summary statement, "It's also counterintuitive that (deletion of gene and phenotype) seems to have no effect (on viability), which gives some concern over whether the c. elegans deletion models will be wildly applicable to processes in mammals."

I took this movie 16 years ago on a spinning disk microscope. It's in much need of a retake with our current imaging system and brighter lines - could be a fun comparison.

Fluorescent Tags Are Basically Never Silent

Fluorescently labeled proteins are essential to research. But we should never forget how messed-up their behavior can be. An example from condensates:

For you or someone you know? I have to say, it's pretty great up here.

Really nice work, Chenshu & Abby.

Ru-upping this thread from last year since the paper is now out! @chenshuliu.bsky.social identified a Piezo-dependent mechanism that enables C. elegans to sniff out “bad eggs” and target them for destruction. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Chris! Likewise.