Igor Brodsky
@brodskyigorlab.bsky.social
Innate immunity/host-pathogen interactions. Husband, father, former Soviet immigrant. Opinions my own.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
Multi-year funding is a dirty trick by #RussellVought. This way the #Trump administration can say they're spending what Congress appropriated for research, BUT they'll only fund 1/5 the number of grants. Call your Senators/Reps now. Science hangs in the balance. H/T @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social
Don’t let Russell Vought trick Congress into destroying science by removing multiyear funding limits from the NIH funding bill.
January 18, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Multi-year funding is a dirty trick by #RussellVought. This way the #Trump administration can say they're spending what Congress appropriated for research, BUT they'll only fund 1/5 the number of grants. Call your Senators/Reps now. Science hangs in the balance. H/T @jenna-m-norton.bsky.social
Lots of problems with multi year funding mechanism. Far fewer grants can be funded and they can only be funded for 4, not 5 years even though most grants funded by the normal mechanism are 5 years. It’s a back door way for Russell Vought to choke off science funding
At least prior to 2025, you could expect all years on your grant (barring major issues).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
January 17, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Lots of problems with multi year funding mechanism. Far fewer grants can be funded and they can only be funded for 4, not 5 years even though most grants funded by the normal mechanism are 5 years. It’s a back door way for Russell Vought to choke off science funding
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
At least prior to 2025, you could expect all years on your grant (barring major issues).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
January 17, 2026 at 5:52 AM
At least prior to 2025, you could expect all years on your grant (barring major issues).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
The NIH's new multi-year funding plan will harm many institutions, scientists, and health outcomes.
Help us stop it! Call your representatives in the U.S. Congress!
#NIH
Help us stop it! Call your representatives in the U.S. Congress!
#NIH
At least prior to 2025, you could expect all years on your grant (barring major issues).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
The main problem with MYF is the rapid transition absent an NIH budget increase. We can pay 4 grants for 1 year, or only 1 grant for 4 years. Under MYF, we can pay far fewer grants (1 instead of 4).
January 17, 2026 at 6:24 PM
The NIH's new multi-year funding plan will harm many institutions, scientists, and health outcomes.
Help us stop it! Call your representatives in the U.S. Congress!
#NIH
Help us stop it! Call your representatives in the U.S. Congress!
#NIH
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
Once again: a far-right president asking Jews to register as Jewish, in the name of protecting the Jews, after he has repeatedly accused Jews of being “disloyal.” What could go wrong?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
UPenn faculty condemn Trump administration’s demand for ‘lists of Jews’
Groups say EEOC demand for names and personal details echoes dark history and threatens safety and civil rights
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Once again: a far-right president asking Jews to register as Jewish, in the name of protecting the Jews, after he has repeatedly accused Jews of being “disloyal.” What could go wrong?
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Chinese Universities Surge in Global Rankings as U.S. Schools Slip www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u... current govt policies are probably not directly responsible for this but the they will certainly not help and will accelerate the downward spiral
Chinese Universities Surge in Global Rankings as U.S. Schools Slip
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Chinese Universities Surge in Global Rankings as U.S. Schools Slip www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u... current govt policies are probably not directly responsible for this but the they will certainly not help and will accelerate the downward spiral
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
Okay, and in latest whiplash news - we may be seeing a turnaround on this. Good grief rollcall.com/2026/01/14/h...
Healthy systems do not operate like this.
Healthy systems do not operate like this.
January 15, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Okay, and in latest whiplash news - we may be seeing a turnaround on this. Good grief rollcall.com/2026/01/14/h...
Healthy systems do not operate like this.
Healthy systems do not operate like this.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
NIH continues losing top scientists: Chou resigns as Cancer Institute program director, Grothaus retires as Aging program officer, Romberg resigns as deputy chief of Prevention Research Branch on Drug Abuse, and Pariyadath resigns as chief of Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience Branch on Drug Abuse.
The NIH has lost its scientific integrity. So we left
“We can no longer lend our credibility to an organization that has lost its integrity,” write four scientists and administrators who recently resigned from the NIH.
www.statnews.com
January 11, 2026 at 12:30 AM
NIH continues losing top scientists: Chou resigns as Cancer Institute program director, Grothaus retires as Aging program officer, Romberg resigns as deputy chief of Prevention Research Branch on Drug Abuse, and Pariyadath resigns as chief of Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience Branch on Drug Abuse.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
We are hiring new faculty!! Come join our amazing community in the Department of Molecular Microbiology at Washington University School of Medicine! The deadline for applications is 2/21, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. facultyopportunities.wustl.edu/Posting/Deta...
Opportunity Details - Faculty Opportunities
facultyopportunities.wustl.edu
January 8, 2026 at 9:05 PM
We are hiring new faculty!! Come join our amazing community in the Department of Molecular Microbiology at Washington University School of Medicine! The deadline for applications is 2/21, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. facultyopportunities.wustl.edu/Posting/Deta...
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
The IL17REL gene encodes a decoy receptor of IL-17 family cytokines to control gut inflammation
IL17REL encodes a decoy receptor capable of binding interleukin-17 (IL-17) family cytokines and suppressing intestinal inflammation.
www.nature.com/artic...
2/5
IL17REL encodes a decoy receptor capable of binding interleukin-17 (IL-17) family cytokines and suppressing intestinal inflammation.
www.nature.com/artic...
2/5
The IL17REL gene encodes a decoy receptor of IL-17 family cytokines to control gut inflammation
Nature Immunology - Qian and colleagues show that IL-17REL functions as a decoy receptor to suppress the effects of IL-17 family cytokines and reduce intestinal inflammation.
www.nature.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:17 AM
The IL17REL gene encodes a decoy receptor of IL-17 family cytokines to control gut inflammation
IL17REL encodes a decoy receptor capable of binding interleukin-17 (IL-17) family cytokines and suppressing intestinal inflammation.
www.nature.com/artic...
2/5
IL17REL encodes a decoy receptor capable of binding interleukin-17 (IL-17) family cytokines and suppressing intestinal inflammation.
www.nature.com/artic...
2/5
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
December 31, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
For anyone keeping tracking, Federal workers from 10 agencies have now authored letters of dissent against policies that are harming Americans.
You can read and sign them all here:
linktr.ee/declarations...
You can read and sign them all here:
linktr.ee/declarations...
Civil Servants Speak Up | Linktree
These letters highlight the dedicated civil servants speaking out against the undermining of the federal services that the American people rely on.
linktr.ee
December 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
For anyone keeping tracking, Federal workers from 10 agencies have now authored letters of dissent against policies that are harming Americans.
You can read and sign them all here:
linktr.ee/declarations...
You can read and sign them all here:
linktr.ee/declarations...
Reminder to register for the Midwinter Conference of Immunologists at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA! Join us for some great science and the opportunity to talk to junior and senior colleagues in a beautiful setting!!
www.midwconfimmunol.org
www.midwconfimmunol.org
November 18, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reminder to register for the Midwinter Conference of Immunologists at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA! Join us for some great science and the opportunity to talk to junior and senior colleagues in a beautiful setting!!
www.midwconfimmunol.org
www.midwconfimmunol.org
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
A bad thing is unfolding at NIH this week: It looks like the Trump administration is trying to replace key civil servant scientific leaders, the Institute Directors, with political hires. These directors control the NIH budget, tens of billions.
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
November 13, 2025 at 10:31 PM
A bad thing is unfolding at NIH this week: It looks like the Trump administration is trying to replace key civil servant scientific leaders, the Institute Directors, with political hires. These directors control the NIH budget, tens of billions.
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
A bit of a video explainer here: 1/ 🧪
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
We just launched the biggest primary program in Indivisible’s history. Help us (literally) send Schumer and the surrender caucus a message. open.substack.com/pub/ezralevi...
Democratic leaders failed us again. Time to get some new leaders.
Indivisible's weekly newsletter with analysis and action
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:17 PM
We just launched the biggest primary program in Indivisible’s history. Help us (literally) send Schumer and the surrender caucus a message. open.substack.com/pub/ezralevi...
😱
NEW: Billions of pounds of food are imported to the U.S. each year.
The FDA inspects foreign producers to ensure what we're eating is safe from pathogens and dangerous manufacturing practices.
But now, after Trump's drastic staff cuts, these inspections have plummeted to a historic low.
🧵/
The FDA inspects foreign producers to ensure what we're eating is safe from pathogens and dangerous manufacturing practices.
But now, after Trump's drastic staff cuts, these inspections have plummeted to a historic low.
🧵/
Foreign Food Safety Inspections Hit Historic Low After Trump Cuts
The dramatic shift in oversight comes at a time when the U.S. has never been more reliant on foreign food, which accounts for the vast majority of the nation’s seafood and more than half its fresh fru...
www.propublica.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:34 AM
😱
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
We're disappointed to see Ben Barres's powerful book "The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist" among the ~400 titles removed from the Naval Academy Library. Needless to say, we're proud to have published his book and will keep it — and his memory — alive.
The Coming Out of a Transgender Scientist
"I know that I am making the right decision because whenever I think about changing my gender role, I am flooded with feelings of relief."
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu
April 8, 2025 at 8:24 PM
We're disappointed to see Ben Barres's powerful book "The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist" among the ~400 titles removed from the Naval Academy Library. Needless to say, we're proud to have published his book and will keep it — and his memory — alive.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
My quote of the day
As I reflect on my life, I recognize that our greatest achievements often arise from our most profound struggles. Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth. It is through these trials that we learn, adapt, and ultimately succeed.
Marie Curie
As I reflect on my life, I recognize that our greatest achievements often arise from our most profound struggles. Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth. It is through these trials that we learn, adapt, and ultimately succeed.
Marie Curie
November 7, 2025 at 10:57 AM
My quote of the day
As I reflect on my life, I recognize that our greatest achievements often arise from our most profound struggles. Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth. It is through these trials that we learn, adapt, and ultimately succeed.
Marie Curie
As I reflect on my life, I recognize that our greatest achievements often arise from our most profound struggles. Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth. It is through these trials that we learn, adapt, and ultimately succeed.
Marie Curie
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
We have a new timeline up today on our Medical Research Funding page, documenting the onslaught of political, legal, and bureaucratic attacks on medical research since January:
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
Medical Research Funding: Timeline — Unbreaking
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us.
unbreaking.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
We have a new timeline up today on our Medical Research Funding page, documenting the onslaught of political, legal, and bureaucratic attacks on medical research since January:
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
unbreaking.org/issues/medic...
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
The US funds the bulk of biomedical research globally by far. It's not like other countries can simply take up the slack. The more likely: people leave research, new people don't become researchers. There is no happy ending. www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Top researchers consider leaving U.S. amid funding cuts: 'The science world is ending'
A poll from the journal Nature found that 75% of researchers in the U.S. are considering leaving the country. That includes a man who’s been dubbed the "Mozart of Math." Stephanie Sy examines what’s b...
www.pbs.org
November 1, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The US funds the bulk of biomedical research globally by far. It's not like other countries can simply take up the slack. The more likely: people leave research, new people don't become researchers. There is no happy ending. www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
The Depression began after Wall Street stocks crashed 96 years ago today, @hcrichardson.bsky.social reminds us. She cites a wildly off-base claim heard then & now:
"Republican leaders blamed poor Americans for the Great Depression, saying they drained the economy because they refused to work hard."
"Republican leaders blamed poor Americans for the Great Depression, saying they drained the economy because they refused to work hard."
October 28, 2025
In the election of 1920, Americans handed a landslide victory to the Republicans and their presidential candidate Warren G.
substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:03 PM
The Depression began after Wall Street stocks crashed 96 years ago today, @hcrichardson.bsky.social reminds us. She cites a wildly off-base claim heard then & now:
"Republican leaders blamed poor Americans for the Great Depression, saying they drained the economy because they refused to work hard."
"Republican leaders blamed poor Americans for the Great Depression, saying they drained the economy because they refused to work hard."
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
The UofA is hiring for a Principal Scientist in cancer immunology! This isn’t a typical academic position—we're looking for a scientist with a great idea but needs time/resources to translate and commercialize. Please repost and apply if interested!
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Principal Scientist, Center for Advanced Molecular and Immunological Therapies
Develop a research program in the advancement of immunological therapies.Play a crucial role in all aspects of research development, implementation, a...
arizona.csod.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:53 AM
The UofA is hiring for a Principal Scientist in cancer immunology! This isn’t a typical academic position—we're looking for a scientist with a great idea but needs time/resources to translate and commercialize. Please repost and apply if interested!
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
New US Dark Age incoming.
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...
www.thecrimson.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:58 PM
New US Dark Age incoming.
Reposted by Igor Brodsky
Looking for a home for your biochemistry preprint? We publish studies into biological molecules or chemical approaches that illuminate biological processes.
See what we publish... buff.ly/YMsrNDQ
...or learn about our changes to peer review buff.ly/HwDx1hq
See what we publish... buff.ly/YMsrNDQ
...or learn about our changes to peer review buff.ly/HwDx1hq
October 21, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Looking for a home for your biochemistry preprint? We publish studies into biological molecules or chemical approaches that illuminate biological processes.
See what we publish... buff.ly/YMsrNDQ
...or learn about our changes to peer review buff.ly/HwDx1hq
See what we publish... buff.ly/YMsrNDQ
...or learn about our changes to peer review buff.ly/HwDx1hq