Ed Twomey
@cryoet.bsky.social
Scientist. Structure and function of cell-cell communication with a special interest in neurons & cryo-EM. All opinions are my own.
Pinned
Ed Twomey
@cryoet.bsky.social
· Sep 16
🚨🧠🔬 A major breakthrough in molecular neuroscience:
I am excited to share a new story from our lab, published in accelerated format today by @nature.com:
"Delta-type glutamate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels"
Read more here (free article link): rdcu.be/eGIKz
I am excited to share a new story from our lab, published in accelerated format today by @nature.com:
"Delta-type glutamate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels"
Read more here (free article link): rdcu.be/eGIKz
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Calcium and magnesium in the pore of NMDA receptors!
Lipids play an unexpected role. The hydration shells of Ca2+ and Mg2+ could be the difference between permeation and block. So much physiology in the energetics of H2O.
Very stimulating work! Congrats @lab-furukawa.bsky.social
#iglurs
Lipids play an unexpected role. The hydration shells of Ca2+ and Mg2+ could be the difference between permeation and block. So much physiology in the energetics of H2O.
Very stimulating work! Congrats @lab-furukawa.bsky.social
#iglurs
November 8, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Calcium and magnesium in the pore of NMDA receptors!
Lipids play an unexpected role. The hydration shells of Ca2+ and Mg2+ could be the difference between permeation and block. So much physiology in the energetics of H2O.
Very stimulating work! Congrats @lab-furukawa.bsky.social
#iglurs
Lipids play an unexpected role. The hydration shells of Ca2+ and Mg2+ could be the difference between permeation and block. So much physiology in the energetics of H2O.
Very stimulating work! Congrats @lab-furukawa.bsky.social
#iglurs
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Our new Journal of Neuroscience paper "Cofilin Inhibition Ameliorates PIEZO2 and AMPA Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome (AS)” is out: www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4... 1/6
Cofilin Inhibition Ameliorates PIEZO2 and AMPA Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder characterized by motor coordination and cognitive deficits. In AS, hippocampal neurons show reduced filamentous (F-)actin, a decrease we also reported...
www.jneurosci.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Our new Journal of Neuroscience paper "Cofilin Inhibition Ameliorates PIEZO2 and AMPA Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome (AS)” is out: www.jneurosci.org/content/45/4... 1/6
Reposted by Ed Twomey
During these uncertain times, I’m very happy to see that my institution, @scripps.edu has an open tenure-track Assistant Professor position. Any field in Chemistry or Biology is welcome. I’d especially love to see fellow neuroscientists apply. Please repost!
apply.interfolio.com/174756
apply.interfolio.com/174756
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:35 PM
During these uncertain times, I’m very happy to see that my institution, @scripps.edu has an open tenure-track Assistant Professor position. Any field in Chemistry or Biology is welcome. I’d especially love to see fellow neuroscientists apply. Please repost!
apply.interfolio.com/174756
apply.interfolio.com/174756
Reposted by Ed Twomey
My OpEd piece in US News & World Report, about not wanting my life to be book-ended by two fascist regimes and about the state of higher education in this country,
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
has now been republished in German translation by JOSHA:
josha-journal.org/en/categorie...
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
has now been republished in German translation by JOSHA:
josha-journal.org/en/categorie...
www.usnews.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:25 PM
My OpEd piece in US News & World Report, about not wanting my life to be book-ended by two fascist regimes and about the state of higher education in this country,
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
has now been republished in German translation by JOSHA:
josha-journal.org/en/categorie...
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
has now been republished in German translation by JOSHA:
josha-journal.org/en/categorie...
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Congrats to the winners! Its notable that Omar Yaghi was a refugee. Refugees and immigrants once again making American science great!
BREAKING: The Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi “for the development of metal-organic frameworks”
Stay tuned for more.
#NobelPrize
Stay tuned for more.
#NobelPrize
October 8, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Congrats to the winners! Its notable that Omar Yaghi was a refugee. Refugees and immigrants once again making American science great!
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Great Job - Great Colleagues - Great Science👍
Help us pick the next generation of @hhmi.org Investigators, Freeman Hrabowski Scholars, Hanna Gray Fellows, Gilliam Fellows
Relocation to DC is required, perfect for academic PIs looking for their next chapter
hhmi.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job...
Help us pick the next generation of @hhmi.org Investigators, Freeman Hrabowski Scholars, Hanna Gray Fellows, Gilliam Fellows
Relocation to DC is required, perfect for academic PIs looking for their next chapter
hhmi.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job...
Senior Director - Scientific Officer
Primary Work Address: 4000 Jones Bridge Road, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815 Current HHMI Employees, click here to apply via your Workday account. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) advances the disco...
hhmi.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Great Job - Great Colleagues - Great Science👍
Help us pick the next generation of @hhmi.org Investigators, Freeman Hrabowski Scholars, Hanna Gray Fellows, Gilliam Fellows
Relocation to DC is required, perfect for academic PIs looking for their next chapter
hhmi.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job...
Help us pick the next generation of @hhmi.org Investigators, Freeman Hrabowski Scholars, Hanna Gray Fellows, Gilliam Fellows
Relocation to DC is required, perfect for academic PIs looking for their next chapter
hhmi.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job...
Reposted by Ed Twomey
#TeamTomo ❄️🔬 meets #MassSpec Imaging 🧬🔬. Super cool, and great potential for EM grids with mixes of different cell types. For example -- environmental samples! @embltrec.bsky.social 🌍 🧪
Check out our new preprint on an integrated pipeline combining in situ #cryo-ET with MALDI #MSImaging for single-cell identification and classification from previously analysed EM-grids.
Link: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Link: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 5, 2025 at 6:37 PM
#TeamTomo ❄️🔬 meets #MassSpec Imaging 🧬🔬. Super cool, and great potential for EM grids with mixes of different cell types. For example -- environmental samples! @embltrec.bsky.social 🌍 🧪
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Our new PNAS paper "Enhanced PIEZO1 function contributes to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease" is out: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 1/3
Enhanced PIEZO1 function contributes to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease | PNAS
Sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation in the
β-globin gene, is characterized by sickle erythrocytes that are ...
www.pnas.org
October 3, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Our new PNAS paper "Enhanced PIEZO1 function contributes to the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease" is out: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 1/3
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Cryo-EM snapshots of NMDA receptor activation illuminate sequential rearrangements | Science Advances www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Cryo-EM snapshots of NMDA receptor activation illuminate sequential rearrangements
Opening of the NMDA receptor involves bending of the helices lining the ion channel gate.
www.science.org
September 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Cryo-EM snapshots of NMDA receptor activation illuminate sequential rearrangements | Science Advances www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Ed Twomey
New preprint alert! The uterus expands ~500-fold in pregnancy, yet we know little about how pressures are sensed. Led by @yunxiao-dr.bsky.social, we show PIEZOs are required for contractions and birth in mice, with dual roles of PIEZO1 in muscle and PIEZO2 in neurons
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
PIEZO channels link mechanical forces to uterine contractions in parturition
Mechanical forces are extensively involved in pregnancy and parturition, but their precise roles and mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we identify mechanically activated ion channels PIEZO1 a...
www.biorxiv.org
September 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
New preprint alert! The uterus expands ~500-fold in pregnancy, yet we know little about how pressures are sensed. Led by @yunxiao-dr.bsky.social, we show PIEZOs are required for contractions and birth in mice, with dual roles of PIEZO1 in muscle and PIEZO2 in neurons
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
🚨🧠🔬 A major breakthrough in molecular neuroscience:
I am excited to share a new story from our lab, published in accelerated format today by @nature.com:
"Delta-type glutamate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels"
Read more here (free article link): rdcu.be/eGIKz
I am excited to share a new story from our lab, published in accelerated format today by @nature.com:
"Delta-type glutamate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels"
Read more here (free article link): rdcu.be/eGIKz
September 16, 2025 at 4:47 PM
🚨🧠🔬 A major breakthrough in molecular neuroscience:
I am excited to share a new story from our lab, published in accelerated format today by @nature.com:
"Delta-type glutamate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels"
Read more here (free article link): rdcu.be/eGIKz
I am excited to share a new story from our lab, published in accelerated format today by @nature.com:
"Delta-type glutamate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels"
Read more here (free article link): rdcu.be/eGIKz
Post an image from your summer that confers peace.
(from the Telluride ion channels workshop)
(from the Telluride ion channels workshop)
August 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Post an image from your summer that confers peace.
(from the Telluride ion channels workshop)
(from the Telluride ion channels workshop)
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Happy to share a new preprint from the Clarke & Vallese (@fravallese.bsky.social) labs reporting #cryoem structures of two RBC stomatin complexes – with AQP1 & UT-B - continuing the SPFH theme from our recent vault preprint! This was a fun one and has been cooking for a while - read on for more! ⬇️
August 30, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Happy to share a new preprint from the Clarke & Vallese (@fravallese.bsky.social) labs reporting #cryoem structures of two RBC stomatin complexes – with AQP1 & UT-B - continuing the SPFH theme from our recent vault preprint! This was a fun one and has been cooking for a while - read on for more! ⬇️
Reposted by Ed Twomey
First pre-print from the Lucas Lab led by Matthew Giammar and @joshdcryoem.bsky.social online today! We develop a new, extensible Python implementation of 2DTM and apply it to build pixel size optimization, constrained search and characterize molecular motions in situ www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Leopard-EM: An extensible 2DTM package to accelerate in situ structural biology
The ability to generate high-resolution views of cells with cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) can reveal the molecular mechanisms of biological processes in their native cellular context. The re...
www.biorxiv.org
August 30, 2025 at 12:49 AM
First pre-print from the Lucas Lab led by Matthew Giammar and @joshdcryoem.bsky.social online today! We develop a new, extensible Python implementation of 2DTM and apply it to build pixel size optimization, constrained search and characterize molecular motions in situ www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Ed Twomey
This is not who we are. We must join together to call this out, to make more people understand what is happening and work to stop it.
August 26, 2025 at 11:35 AM
This is not who we are. We must join together to call this out, to make more people understand what is happening and work to stop it.
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Happy to share the my lab's latest preprint, where we investigated sensorimotor circuit formation in the developing spinal cord. We show that proprioceptive axons target motor neurons in neighboring spinal segments to give rise to intersegmental reflex responses.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Activity-driven proprioceptive synaptic refinement in the developing spinal cord by complement signaling mechanisms
Proprioceptive group Ia afferents detect muscle stretch to guide effortless and purposeful movement and make monosynaptic connections with spinal α–motor neurons to mediate reflexes, such as the stret...
www.biorxiv.org
August 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Happy to share the my lab's latest preprint, where we investigated sensorimotor circuit formation in the developing spinal cord. We show that proprioceptive axons target motor neurons in neighboring spinal segments to give rise to intersegmental reflex responses.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Kainate receptor modulation by Neto including an open state. Surprising, to me: I would never have imagined that Neto works like a membrane-tethered lectin (ConA). Auxiliary proteins influence dimer-dimer interactions, as we and others also showed in AMPARs.
#iGluRs
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#iGluRs
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Activation of kainate receptor GluK2–Neto2 complex - Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
Gangwar et al. present cryo-electron microscopy structures of GluK2 kainate receptors with auxiliary subunit Neto2 and reveal the basis of receptor activation.
www.nature.com
August 26, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Kainate receptor modulation by Neto including an open state. Surprising, to me: I would never have imagined that Neto works like a membrane-tethered lectin (ConA). Auxiliary proteins influence dimer-dimer interactions, as we and others also showed in AMPARs.
#iGluRs
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#iGluRs
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Congratulations 2025 Gilliam Fellows and Advisors! 🎉
The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments.
Through this program, HHMI supports both graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors.
The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments.
Through this program, HHMI supports both graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors.
August 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Congratulations 2025 Gilliam Fellows and Advisors! 🎉
The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments.
Through this program, HHMI supports both graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors.
The Gilliam Fellows Program launches promising PhD students into impactful scientific research careers while fostering inclusive training environments.
Through this program, HHMI supports both graduate students and their faculty thesis advisors.
Reposted by Ed Twomey
No matter where you went to school, the Trump admin has targeted YOUR college/university for cuts and obedience.
If you've got your alumni association's contact info, let them know where you want your alma mater to stand.
www.americanprogress.org/article/mapp...
If you've got your alumni association's contact info, let them know where you want your alma mater to stand.
www.americanprogress.org/article/mapp...
Mapping Federal Funding Cuts to U.S. Colleges and Universities
American science and innovation should not be subject to the political winds of the day. Find out how the Trump administration’s grant terminations are affecting your school, your community, and your ...
www.americanprogress.org
July 23, 2025 at 1:37 PM
No matter where you went to school, the Trump admin has targeted YOUR college/university for cuts and obedience.
If you've got your alumni association's contact info, let them know where you want your alma mater to stand.
www.americanprogress.org/article/mapp...
If you've got your alumni association's contact info, let them know where you want your alma mater to stand.
www.americanprogress.org/article/mapp...
Checkout this preprint - they find that fever induces long-term synaptic enhancement through AMPARs.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Quite interesting to consider along with our finding that temperature enhances AMPAR activation:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Quite interesting to consider along with our finding that temperature enhances AMPAR activation:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
July 18, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Checkout this preprint - they find that fever induces long-term synaptic enhancement through AMPARs.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Quite interesting to consider along with our finding that temperature enhances AMPAR activation:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Quite interesting to consider along with our finding that temperature enhances AMPAR activation:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Link here! guide.cryosparc.com/processing-d...
July 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Link here! guide.cryosparc.com/processing-d...
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Your participation in the election of the Society's leaders is vital to our future. Exercise your right as a Society member to vote by casting your ballot by August 1 for president-elect and council
BPS Elections | Biophysical Society
About Join RenewDonateAdvertiseNews
buff.ly
July 14, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Your participation in the election of the Society's leaders is vital to our future. Exercise your right as a Society member to vote by casting your ballot by August 1 for president-elect and council
Reposted by Ed Twomey
Come work at Nature Methods! A dream job. I know from experience 😄
Nature Methods is hiring!
We are seeking a new editor with expertise in microscopy, imaging technology, and/or cell biology. The position is available in NYC/Jersey City or Shanghai/Beijing on a hybrid working model.
Apply by August 3!
springernature.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/SpringerNatu...
We are seeking a new editor with expertise in microscopy, imaging technology, and/or cell biology. The position is available in NYC/Jersey City or Shanghai/Beijing on a hybrid working model.
Apply by August 3!
springernature.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/SpringerNatu...
a yellow sign that says we 're hiring
ALT: a yellow sign that says we 're hiring
media.tenor.com
July 10, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Come work at Nature Methods! A dream job. I know from experience 😄