Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
@centromellone.bsky.social
Professor studying how genetic information is passed down to the next generation | She/Her | 🇮🇹 expat in the 🇺🇸 | Wannabe 🐎 rider | She/her | Posts and likes=mine
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
1. Last office hours a few people had questions about personal statements for grad school apps. I suggested a template that has worked well in my experience & have also laid it out in the thread below in case it's useful for you all.
#AcademicSky #PhdSky #PsychSciSky #SocialPsyc
#DevPsyc #CogPsyc
#AcademicSky #PhdSky #PsychSciSky #SocialPsyc
#DevPsyc #CogPsyc
November 10, 2025 at 10:42 AM
1. Last office hours a few people had questions about personal statements for grad school apps. I suggested a template that has worked well in my experience & have also laid it out in the thread below in case it's useful for you all.
#AcademicSky #PhdSky #PsychSciSky #SocialPsyc
#DevPsyc #CogPsyc
#AcademicSky #PhdSky #PsychSciSky #SocialPsyc
#DevPsyc #CogPsyc
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
Big news in hashtag Chromosome Biology: Chromosoma & Chromosome Research will merge in January 2026! The new unified journal will be titled 'Chromosome Research: Biology of the Nucleus', honoring both legacies and advancing a shared scientific mission. bit.ly/3LmaLwY #ResearchPublishing
November 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Big news in hashtag Chromosome Biology: Chromosoma & Chromosome Research will merge in January 2026! The new unified journal will be titled 'Chromosome Research: Biology of the Nucleus', honoring both legacies and advancing a shared scientific mission. bit.ly/3LmaLwY #ResearchPublishing
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
The TArgeted Cohesin Loader (TACL) paper was just published. Happy that we were able to contribute to this really exciting project!
If you want to learn how targeting cohesin to defined loci in the genome affects the local chromatin environment and transcription, look no further!
rdcu.be/eLiT5
If you want to learn how targeting cohesin to defined loci in the genome affects the local chromatin environment and transcription, look no further!
rdcu.be/eLiT5
Characterization of induced cohesin loop extrusion trajectories in living cells
Nature Genetics - This study introduces a system called TArgeted Cohesin Loader (TACL) that recruits cohesin complexes at defined genomic regions and induces loop extrusion events in living cells,...
rdcu.be
October 16, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The TArgeted Cohesin Loader (TACL) paper was just published. Happy that we were able to contribute to this really exciting project!
If you want to learn how targeting cohesin to defined loci in the genome affects the local chromatin environment and transcription, look no further!
rdcu.be/eLiT5
If you want to learn how targeting cohesin to defined loci in the genome affects the local chromatin environment and transcription, look no further!
rdcu.be/eLiT5
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
As the murder of Piersanti Mattarella in 1980 is in the news due to the arrest of a former senior police officer for allegedly hiding or destroying vital evidence, here I explain the background to the killing and subsequent investigations into one of Italy's many unsolved tragedies [Thread] >> 1
October 26, 2025 at 3:43 PM
As the murder of Piersanti Mattarella in 1980 is in the news due to the arrest of a former senior police officer for allegedly hiding or destroying vital evidence, here I explain the background to the killing and subsequent investigations into one of Italy's many unsolved tragedies [Thread] >> 1
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
Heyyyy we desperately need more archaeologists to volunteer to answer questions from students via video chat through @skypeascientist.bsky.social.
We have 80 unmatched teams. We’ve already matched 650 😵💫
If you know any archaeologists, please send them here www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
We have 80 unmatched teams. We’ve already matched 650 😵💫
If you know any archaeologists, please send them here www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
Sign Up
Skype a Scientist gives you the opportunity to connect with students and the public around the world.
www.skypeascientist.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Heyyyy we desperately need more archaeologists to volunteer to answer questions from students via video chat through @skypeascientist.bsky.social.
We have 80 unmatched teams. We’ve already matched 650 😵💫
If you know any archaeologists, please send them here www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
We have 80 unmatched teams. We’ve already matched 650 😵💫
If you know any archaeologists, please send them here www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up.html
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Scaling back DEI programmes and the loss of scientific talent
Nature Cell Biology - Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases...
www.nature.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
@joann-trejo.bsky.social, @marymunson4.bsky.social and I have a commentary in @natcellbio.nature.com on recent attacks on DEI in biomedical research: "If scientific research, especially biomedical research, is meant to serve everyone, then it requires that everyone has an opportunity to participate"
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
important op-ed from @sarahhird.bsky.social on the need for paid leave for UConn faculty. Private sector employees in CT get 16 weeks of paid leave. I got a discretionary teaching release from my department but those are NOT guaranteed. ctmirror.org/2025/10/21/t...
Opinion: This is UConn: Zero paid family leave for professors
UConn currently lets every pregnant/expecting individual reinvent the wheel, cobbling together a leave plan with whatever resources and departmental grace they can muster.
ctmirror.org
October 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
important op-ed from @sarahhird.bsky.social on the need for paid leave for UConn faculty. Private sector employees in CT get 16 weeks of paid leave. I got a discretionary teaching release from my department but those are NOT guaranteed. ctmirror.org/2025/10/21/t...
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
A summary of training, fellowship, and career development awards
Fiscal year 2025 (compared to fiscal year 2024)
1/12
Fiscal year 2025 (compared to fiscal year 2024)
1/12
a dog is sitting on a rug in front of a brick wall and a plant .
ALT: a dog is sitting on a rug in front of a brick wall and a plant .
media.tenor.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:25 AM
A summary of training, fellowship, and career development awards
Fiscal year 2025 (compared to fiscal year 2024)
1/12
Fiscal year 2025 (compared to fiscal year 2024)
1/12
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
Pervasive suppressors halt the spread of selfish Segregation Distorter in a natural population https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.13.681989v1
October 14, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Pervasive suppressors halt the spread of selfish Segregation Distorter in a natural population https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.13.681989v1
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
No words
May 30, 2025 at 12:23 PM
No words
A good reminder to save all experiment files and logs alongside raw images to demonstrate authenticity of your data
Fake microscopy images generated by AI are indistinguishable from the real thing www.chemistryworld.com/news/fake-mi...
#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ChatGPT #AcademicSky #AcademicChatter #Research #Ethics #Microscopy #Nanoscience #ScholarlyPublishing #AcademicPublishing #Misconduct #Fraud
#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ChatGPT #AcademicSky #AcademicChatter #Research #Ethics #Microscopy #Nanoscience #ScholarlyPublishing #AcademicPublishing #Misconduct #Fraud
Fake microscopy images generated by AI are indistinguishable from the real thing
Materials scientists warn that raw data and replication studies are needed to tackle the looming threat of near-undetectable AI fraud
www.chemistryworld.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:02 PM
A good reminder to save all experiment files and logs alongside raw images to demonstrate authenticity of your data
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
"This is extortion, plain and simple.... The only solution is solidarity and collective action against this effort at federal control over higher education."
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
Opinion | Trump’s ‘Compact’ With Universities Is Just Extortion
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:32 PM
"This is extortion, plain and simple.... The only solution is solidarity and collective action against this effort at federal control over higher education."
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
“No self-respecting university could ever accept something like this,” said Lee Bollinger, a First Amendment scholar and former Columbia University president. “Trying to protect conservative ideas against being ‘belittled’ — that’s about as violative of the First Amendment interests as you can get.”
Colleges weigh whether to sign onto Trump plan or forgo federal benefits
A new proposal from the Trump administration would give colleges funding advantages if they adopt conservative priorities.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 3, 2025 at 11:36 AM
“No self-respecting university could ever accept something like this,” said Lee Bollinger, a First Amendment scholar and former Columbia University president. “Trying to protect conservative ideas against being ‘belittled’ — that’s about as violative of the First Amendment interests as you can get.”
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
📣 🧪 Update: #GRFP petition went to #NSF and OSTP (w/ the growing* comments list) yesterday.
We are now working to get these impacts in front of Congress, so PLEASE keep signing/sharing the petition!
*nearly 900!
@danielbolnick.bsky.social @joshuasweitz.bsky.social @jasonwilliamsny.bsky.social
We are now working to get these impacts in front of Congress, so PLEASE keep signing/sharing the petition!
*nearly 900!
@danielbolnick.bsky.social @joshuasweitz.bsky.social @jasonwilliamsny.bsky.social
🧪 Were you one of the many thousands of STEM students (and mentors) impacted by the sudden change in #NSF #GRFP eligibility last week?
We created a petition to NSF leadership and Congress to reverse the changes - please sign and share your stories here!!
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
We created a petition to NSF leadership and Congress to reverse the changes - please sign and share your stories here!!
laurenkuehne.github.io/grfpChanges/
Petition to NSF to Restore Eligibility for the 2026 Graduate Research Fellowship Program Competition
laurenkuehne.github.io
October 1, 2025 at 4:37 PM
📣 🧪 Update: #GRFP petition went to #NSF and OSTP (w/ the growing* comments list) yesterday.
We are now working to get these impacts in front of Congress, so PLEASE keep signing/sharing the petition!
*nearly 900!
@danielbolnick.bsky.social @joshuasweitz.bsky.social @jasonwilliamsny.bsky.social
We are now working to get these impacts in front of Congress, so PLEASE keep signing/sharing the petition!
*nearly 900!
@danielbolnick.bsky.social @joshuasweitz.bsky.social @jasonwilliamsny.bsky.social
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
On October 7th, learn how to communicate genetics topics to classrooms and informal settings with with @robomalley.bsky.social l from @pged.bsky.social!
This is for teachers and all other kinds of educators.
RSVP for free here: givebutter.com/8TVNiA
This is for teachers and all other kinds of educators.
RSVP for free here: givebutter.com/8TVNiA
September 26, 2025 at 7:22 PM
On October 7th, learn how to communicate genetics topics to classrooms and informal settings with with @robomalley.bsky.social l from @pged.bsky.social!
This is for teachers and all other kinds of educators.
RSVP for free here: givebutter.com/8TVNiA
This is for teachers and all other kinds of educators.
RSVP for free here: givebutter.com/8TVNiA
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
Frequent user of epitope tags? Try ours!
IPI epitope tag antibodies & plasmids are now available through our partner @addgene.bsky.social!
buff.ly/YEuZDIp
IPI epitope tag antibodies & plasmids are now available through our partner @addgene.bsky.social!
buff.ly/YEuZDIp
Epitope tag antibody collection
Epitope tags are short amino acid sequences fused to a protein’s N- or C-terminus. When paired with an antibody that specifically recognizes this sequence, epit
buff.ly
September 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Frequent user of epitope tags? Try ours!
IPI epitope tag antibodies & plasmids are now available through our partner @addgene.bsky.social!
buff.ly/YEuZDIp
IPI epitope tag antibodies & plasmids are now available through our partner @addgene.bsky.social!
buff.ly/YEuZDIp
Huge congratulations, @needhibhalla.bsky.social for this well-deserved honor! 🎉
🎉 Congratulations to Needhi Bhalla, UC Santa Cruz (www.bhallalab.com
), named a 2025 #ASCB Fellow! This honor celebrates her outstanding contributions to cell biology, leadership, & service. Fellows will be recognized at #CellBio2025 in Philadelphia this December. #CellBiology
), named a 2025 #ASCB Fellow! This honor celebrates her outstanding contributions to cell biology, leadership, & service. Fellows will be recognized at #CellBio2025 in Philadelphia this December. #CellBiology
September 21, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Huge congratulations, @needhibhalla.bsky.social for this well-deserved honor! 🎉
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
Paper led by @movillome.bsky.social on unbiased detection of (somatic) #TE insertions in #Arabidopsis with @pacbio.bsky.social long reads out after peer review. Thanks to academic editor Leandro Quadrana for shepherding it through the review process.
#plantscience
link.springer.com/article/10.1...?
#plantscience
link.springer.com/article/10.1...?
Long-read detection of transposable element mobilization in the soma of hypomethylated Arabidopsis thaliana individuals - Genome Biology
Background Because transposable elements (TEs) can cause heritable genetic changes, past work on TE mobility in Arabidopsis thaliana has mostly focused on new TE insertions in the germline of hypometh...
link.springer.com
July 31, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Paper led by @movillome.bsky.social on unbiased detection of (somatic) #TE insertions in #Arabidopsis with @pacbio.bsky.social long reads out after peer review. Thanks to academic editor Leandro Quadrana for shepherding it through the review process.
#plantscience
link.springer.com/article/10.1...?
#plantscience
link.springer.com/article/10.1...?
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
If you're a reporter, please stop referring to RFK Jr and his cronies as "vaccine skeptics." They're not skeptical. Skepticism would be fine. Skeptics look at evidence and can be persuaded.
These people are extremist anti-vaccine cranks, and that's how news organizations should describe them.
These people are extremist anti-vaccine cranks, and that's how news organizations should describe them.
September 7, 2025 at 8:57 PM
If you're a reporter, please stop referring to RFK Jr and his cronies as "vaccine skeptics." They're not skeptical. Skepticism would be fine. Skeptics look at evidence and can be persuaded.
These people are extremist anti-vaccine cranks, and that's how news organizations should describe them.
These people are extremist anti-vaccine cranks, and that's how news organizations should describe them.
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
Yes, it was carefully hidden in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1... )
1/2
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1... )
1/2
September 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Yes, it was carefully hidden in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1... )
1/2
Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1... )
1/2
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
Fly labs — Now is the time to show some solidarity and chip in support for this vital resource!
August 20, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Fly labs — Now is the time to show some solidarity and chip in support for this vital resource!
What a gem. A wonderful reminder of why we do this.
August 15, 2025 at 10:59 PM
What a gem. A wonderful reminder of why we do this.
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
If the Supreme Court rules for the Trump administration in this case, biomedical research is finished in this country.
The Supreme Court is reviewing a vitally important NIH case on its shadow docket.
It is likely that the Court will back Trump, and say his (illegal) grant terminations are ok.
We must speak up now.
1/
It is likely that the Court will back Trump, and say his (illegal) grant terminations are ok.
We must speak up now.
1/
Tell the Supreme Court: No Stay. Hands off NIH
The Supreme Court is poised to allow Trump to illegally terminate NIH grants. Let's speak out. There is not much time.
scienceandfreedomalliance.substack.com
August 13, 2025 at 12:26 AM
If the Supreme Court rules for the Trump administration in this case, biomedical research is finished in this country.
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
Our new non-denaturing nanoscale 3D DNA tracing technology provides single-cell (and sister-chromatid specific!) readout of chromatin structure with 10kb genomic resolution - Check it out!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Congratulations to Kai and Oyvind!!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Congratulations to Kai and Oyvind!!
Nanoscale 3D DNA tracing in non-denatured cells resolves the Cohesin-dependent loop architecture of the genome in situ - Nature Communications
A nanoscale 3D DNA tracing workflow visualizes Cohesin-dependent loops in single, structurally well-preserved cells. Computer simulations based on the tracing data give further insight into how Cohesi...
www.nature.com
July 21, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Our new non-denaturing nanoscale 3D DNA tracing technology provides single-cell (and sister-chromatid specific!) readout of chromatin structure with 10kb genomic resolution - Check it out!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Congratulations to Kai and Oyvind!!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Congratulations to Kai and Oyvind!!
Reposted by Barbara Mellone 🇺🇦
This is devastating. In addition to the obvious harm to the FlyBase staff, SO many of us rely on this resource!
I just got the notice that all the FlyBase people at Harvard, including me, will be laid off on October 12. I'm devastated.
August 11, 2025 at 11:33 PM
This is devastating. In addition to the obvious harm to the FlyBase staff, SO many of us rely on this resource!