Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
@immunofever.bsky.social
Immunoengineer at MIT BE developing predictive diagnostics. Captivated by #inflammation, #SexDifferences #Lyme, #COVID, #IACI, #IACC and #onehealth. Mom of 2. prev/ PhD in Immunology @Yale; PostDoc @Stanford
https://talresearchgroup.mit.edu/
https://talresearchgroup.mit.edu/
Pinned
I'm an immunologist who is trying to understand why not everyone recovers from an infection, and why the infection-associated chronic illnesses skew female. I run a lab @mitdeptofbe.bsky.social, the clinical study MIT MAESTRO, and am building a mouse model of #chronicLyme. Will pin threads here.
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
The Long COVID Treatment Trial – Tirzepatide (LoCITT-T) is officially open for enrollment for people with Long COVID in:
Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah
longcovid.scripps.edu/locitt-t/?ut...
1/16
Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah
longcovid.scripps.edu/locitt-t/?ut...
1/16
LoCITT-T - Long COVID Treatment Trial
longcovid.scripps.edu
October 30, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The Long COVID Treatment Trial – Tirzepatide (LoCITT-T) is officially open for enrollment for people with Long COVID in:
Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah
longcovid.scripps.edu/locitt-t/?ut...
1/16
Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah
longcovid.scripps.edu/locitt-t/?ut...
1/16
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
Looks like OpenFold3 has been formally released in a public "preview". Not quite on parity with AlphaFold3 on a few benchmarks shown, in particular for antibody interactions. All info on the github link. I am sure we will hear more about this from the developers github.com/aqlaboratory...
GitHub - aqlaboratory/openfold-3: OpenFold3: A fully open source biomolecular structure prediction model based on AlphaFold3
OpenFold3: A fully open source biomolecular structure prediction model based on AlphaFold3 - aqlaboratory/openfold-3
github.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Looks like OpenFold3 has been formally released in a public "preview". Not quite on parity with AlphaFold3 on a few benchmarks shown, in particular for antibody interactions. All info on the github link. I am sure we will hear more about this from the developers github.com/aqlaboratory...
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
Pre-print alert! And this one really is a must read for anyone that does spectral #flowcytometry. It is a complete, fully-automated spectral unmixing pipeline that reduces error up to 9000-fold.
Want to get a tough sample, like lung, looking like this? Read more!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Want to get a tough sample, like lung, looking like this? Read more!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 28, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Pre-print alert! And this one really is a must read for anyone that does spectral #flowcytometry. It is a complete, fully-automated spectral unmixing pipeline that reduces error up to 9000-fold.
Want to get a tough sample, like lung, looking like this? Read more!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Want to get a tough sample, like lung, looking like this? Read more!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
1/ This is my first time posting a comment on a bioRxiv manuscript, but since I've been asked my opinion on this one a bunch, and I was actually one of the reviewers and waived my anonymity in review, I decided to post my review as a comment: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 9, 2025 at 3:39 PM
1/ This is my first time posting a comment on a bioRxiv manuscript, but since I've been asked my opinion on this one a bunch, and I was actually one of the reviewers and waived my anonymity in review, I decided to post my review as a comment: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
1/ This is my first time posting a comment on a bioRxiv manuscript, but since I've been asked my opinion on this one a bunch, and I was actually one of the reviewers and waived my anonymity in review, I decided to post my review as a comment: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
October 9, 2025 at 3:39 PM
1/ This is my first time posting a comment on a bioRxiv manuscript, but since I've been asked my opinion on this one a bunch, and I was actually one of the reviewers and waived my anonymity in review, I decided to post my review as a comment: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
It should be noted that Google has noticed the backlash enough that they quietly published a code that would removed AI results for their searches.
An enterprising person built a default site to search without AI, and the results are goddamn refreshing as hell.
udm14.org
An enterprising person built a default site to search without AI, and the results are goddamn refreshing as hell.
udm14.org
&udm=14 | the search engine Konami code
A quick way to get an AI-free search without any extra work.
udm14.org
October 5, 2025 at 9:36 AM
It should be noted that Google has noticed the backlash enough that they quietly published a code that would removed AI results for their searches.
An enterprising person built a default site to search without AI, and the results are goddamn refreshing as hell.
udm14.org
An enterprising person built a default site to search without AI, and the results are goddamn refreshing as hell.
udm14.org
Sex differences matter!
www.sciencealert.com/half-of-hear...
www.sciencealert.com/half-of-hear...
Half of Heart Attacks in Younger Women Aren't From Clogged Arteries
Traditionally, most heart attacks have been blamed on clogged arteries causing atherothrombosis – where blood clots block flow to the heart.
www.sciencealert.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Sex differences matter!
www.sciencealert.com/half-of-hear...
www.sciencealert.com/half-of-hear...
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
Epstein–Barr virus exploits desmocollin 2 as the principal epithelial cell entry receptor | @natmicrobiol.nature.com
sco.lt/6i4kd6
sco.lt/6i4kd6
Epstein–Barr Virus Uses Desmocollin 2 to Infect Cells | Virus World
In a groundbreaking advancement in virology, scientists have unveiled the elusive mechanism by which Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a pervasive human herpesvirus, infects epithelial cells. This discovery c...
sco.lt
September 27, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Epstein–Barr virus exploits desmocollin 2 as the principal epithelial cell entry receptor | @natmicrobiol.nature.com
sco.lt/6i4kd6
sco.lt/6i4kd6
My cousin died from a vaccine preventable illness, and that's part of why it's so important to me to work on the immunology of infectious disease. I know what's on the line.
"If you're not vaccinated...there may not be any time."-Michal Tal
From Immune Booster 2: Sex differences in immune responses with Michal Tal (@immunofever.bsky.social )
Hosts:
@cindyleifer.bsky.social @bioprofbarker.bsky.social
From Immune Booster 2: Sex differences in immune responses with Michal Tal (@immunofever.bsky.social )
Hosts:
@cindyleifer.bsky.social @bioprofbarker.bsky.social
Vaccines save lives
YouTube video by MicrobeTV
youtube.com
September 20, 2025 at 12:10 PM
My cousin died from a vaccine preventable illness, and that's part of why it's so important to me to work on the immunology of infectious disease. I know what's on the line.
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
What if this was your kid, you ask? I'll tell you. As an infectious disease immunologist, I protect my kids through vaccination. A measles outbreak reached my county when I had an infant. Knowing the risk for severe outcomes, I read the literature, vaccinated him EARLY and then rejoined the schedule
September 19, 2025 at 10:36 AM
What if this was your kid, you ask? I'll tell you. As an infectious disease immunologist, I protect my kids through vaccination. A measles outbreak reached my county when I had an infant. Knowing the risk for severe outcomes, I read the literature, vaccinated him EARLY and then rejoined the schedule
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
Immune Booster 2: Sex differences in immune responses with Michal Tal
Immune Booster #2: Sex differences in immune responses with Michal Tal
YouTube video by MicrobeTV
youtu.be
September 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Immune Booster 2: Sex differences in immune responses with Michal Tal
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
"If you're not vaccinated...there may not be any time."-Michal Tal
From Immune Booster 2: Sex differences in immune responses with Michal Tal (@immunofever.bsky.social )
Hosts:
@cindyleifer.bsky.social @bioprofbarker.bsky.social
From Immune Booster 2: Sex differences in immune responses with Michal Tal (@immunofever.bsky.social )
Hosts:
@cindyleifer.bsky.social @bioprofbarker.bsky.social
Vaccines save lives
YouTube video by MicrobeTV
youtube.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
"If you're not vaccinated...there may not be any time."-Michal Tal
From Immune Booster 2: Sex differences in immune responses with Michal Tal (@immunofever.bsky.social )
Hosts:
@cindyleifer.bsky.social @bioprofbarker.bsky.social
From Immune Booster 2: Sex differences in immune responses with Michal Tal (@immunofever.bsky.social )
Hosts:
@cindyleifer.bsky.social @bioprofbarker.bsky.social
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
Doubling down as a Toxicologist. The benefits far outweigh the harms.
What if this was your kid, you ask? I'll tell you. As an infectious disease immunologist, I protect my kids through vaccination. A measles outbreak reached my county when I had an infant. Knowing the risk for severe outcomes, I read the literature, vaccinated him EARLY and then rejoined the schedule
September 19, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Doubling down as a Toxicologist. The benefits far outweigh the harms.
What if this was your kid, you ask? I'll tell you. As an infectious disease immunologist, I protect my kids through vaccination. A measles outbreak reached my county when I had an infant. Knowing the risk for severe outcomes, I read the literature, vaccinated him EARLY and then rejoined the schedule
September 19, 2025 at 10:36 AM
What if this was your kid, you ask? I'll tell you. As an infectious disease immunologist, I protect my kids through vaccination. A measles outbreak reached my county when I had an infant. Knowing the risk for severe outcomes, I read the literature, vaccinated him EARLY and then rejoined the schedule
The only question now is what huge problem do YOU (reader) want to address with this incredible data set? The world's sequences are your oyster. Go make pearls!
🌎👩🔬 For 15+ years biology has accumulated petabytes (million gigabytes) of🧬DNA sequencing data🧬 from the far reaches of our planet.🦠🍄🌵
Logan now democratizes efficient access to the world’s most comprehensive genetics dataset. Free and open.
doi.org/10.1101/2024...
Logan now democratizes efficient access to the world’s most comprehensive genetics dataset. Free and open.
doi.org/10.1101/2024...
September 3, 2025 at 10:46 AM
The only question now is what huge problem do YOU (reader) want to address with this incredible data set? The world's sequences are your oyster. Go make pearls!
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
🌎👩🔬 For 15+ years biology has accumulated petabytes (million gigabytes) of🧬DNA sequencing data🧬 from the far reaches of our planet.🦠🍄🌵
Logan now democratizes efficient access to the world’s most comprehensive genetics dataset. Free and open.
doi.org/10.1101/2024...
Logan now democratizes efficient access to the world’s most comprehensive genetics dataset. Free and open.
doi.org/10.1101/2024...
September 3, 2025 at 8:39 AM
🌎👩🔬 For 15+ years biology has accumulated petabytes (million gigabytes) of🧬DNA sequencing data🧬 from the far reaches of our planet.🦠🍄🌵
Logan now democratizes efficient access to the world’s most comprehensive genetics dataset. Free and open.
doi.org/10.1101/2024...
Logan now democratizes efficient access to the world’s most comprehensive genetics dataset. Free and open.
doi.org/10.1101/2024...
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
Earth’s genetic diversity is a heritage of humanity. It has been an honour to explore this data with a team of dedicated scientists who shared our vision of making this data free and accessible to all 🌍🧬❤️ Thank you!
Updated preprint: doi.org/10.1101/2024...
Updated preprint: doi.org/10.1101/2024...
September 3, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Earth’s genetic diversity is a heritage of humanity. It has been an honour to explore this data with a team of dedicated scientists who shared our vision of making this data free and accessible to all 🌍🧬❤️ Thank you!
Updated preprint: doi.org/10.1101/2024...
Updated preprint: doi.org/10.1101/2024...
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
All Logan data is freely-available (cc0) right now. We show how Logan-Search (www.logan-search.org) can be used to uncover viral reactivation (HHV-6) in cell therapy products (TIL and CAR-T).
September 3, 2025 at 8:39 AM
All Logan data is freely-available (cc0) right now. We show how Logan-Search (www.logan-search.org) can be used to uncover viral reactivation (HHV-6) in cell therapy products (TIL and CAR-T).
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
Adrenal insufficiency is a syndrome of cortisol deficiency.
This Review summarizes the pathophysiology of adrenal insufficiency and approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of adrenal crisis.
ja.ma/3HKk9Jr
This Review summarizes the pathophysiology of adrenal insufficiency and approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of adrenal crisis.
ja.ma/3HKk9Jr
September 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Adrenal insufficiency is a syndrome of cortisol deficiency.
This Review summarizes the pathophysiology of adrenal insufficiency and approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of adrenal crisis.
ja.ma/3HKk9Jr
This Review summarizes the pathophysiology of adrenal insufficiency and approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of adrenal crisis.
ja.ma/3HKk9Jr
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
9 CDC Directors going back to 1977 speak out. What RFK Jr has done to our nation’s public health system "should alarm every American."
It "is unlike anything we have ever seen at the agency, and unlike anything our country has ever experienced." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
It "is unlike anything we have ever seen at the agency, and unlike anything our country has ever experienced." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Opinion | We Ran the C.D.C.: Kennedy Is Endangering Every American’s Health
www.nytimes.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:23 AM
9 CDC Directors going back to 1977 speak out. What RFK Jr has done to our nation’s public health system "should alarm every American."
It "is unlike anything we have ever seen at the agency, and unlike anything our country has ever experienced." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
It "is unlike anything we have ever seen at the agency, and unlike anything our country has ever experienced." www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/o...
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
Sometimes we’re unsatisfied with a thing we made because when it only existed in our head, we saw all the things it could have been and when it’s done we know all the things that it isn’t, but we can’t see the way it expands into a million new things when someone else unpacks it in their head. 🖊️🦑
August 31, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Sometimes we’re unsatisfied with a thing we made because when it only existed in our head, we saw all the things it could have been and when it’s done we know all the things that it isn’t, but we can’t see the way it expands into a million new things when someone else unpacks it in their head. 🖊️🦑
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
“Over the past 20 years, Paris has undergone a major physical transformation, trading automotive arteries for bike lanes, adding green spaces and eliminating 50,000 parking spaces.
Part of the payoff has been invisible — in the air itself.”
Leadership, strategy, real action, common sense. #Paris
Part of the payoff has been invisible — in the air itself.”
Leadership, strategy, real action, common sense. #Paris
Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.
Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 29, 2025 at 4:57 PM
“Over the past 20 years, Paris has undergone a major physical transformation, trading automotive arteries for bike lanes, adding green spaces and eliminating 50,000 parking spaces.
Part of the payoff has been invisible — in the air itself.”
Leadership, strategy, real action, common sense. #Paris
Part of the payoff has been invisible — in the air itself.”
Leadership, strategy, real action, common sense. #Paris
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
A federal-state partnership that monitors for foodborne illnesses quietly scaled back its operations nearly two months ago.
As of July 1, the critical surveillance program is monitoring for only two pathogens instead of the usual eight, a spokesperson for the CDC says.
As of July 1, the critical surveillance program is monitoring for only two pathogens instead of the usual eight, a spokesperson for the CDC says.
The CDC quietly scaled back a surveillance program for foodborne illnesses
As of July 1, a critical surveillance program is monitoring for only two pathogens instead of the usual eight.
nbcnews.to
August 26, 2025 at 3:20 PM
A federal-state partnership that monitors for foodborne illnesses quietly scaled back its operations nearly two months ago.
As of July 1, the critical surveillance program is monitoring for only two pathogens instead of the usual eight, a spokesperson for the CDC says.
As of July 1, the critical surveillance program is monitoring for only two pathogens instead of the usual eight, a spokesperson for the CDC says.
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
The year I was born. we basically had no idea why cancers happened and now we understand the underlying force behind it with 100% clarity and the molecular forces behind it with many orders of magnitude more resolution.
We were entirely in the dark, and now the room is lit.
We were entirely in the dark, and now the room is lit.
August 24, 2025 at 1:40 AM
The year I was born. we basically had no idea why cancers happened and now we understand the underlying force behind it with 100% clarity and the molecular forces behind it with many orders of magnitude more resolution.
We were entirely in the dark, and now the room is lit.
We were entirely in the dark, and now the room is lit.
Reposted by Michal Caspi Tal, PhD
Important paper by members of the European Academy of Neurology. "Healthcare systems should be aware of, and be prepared for a potential increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases in the upcoming years." What has been the state of surveillance and awareness so far? #NeuroCovid
August 8, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Important paper by members of the European Academy of Neurology. "Healthcare systems should be aware of, and be prepared for a potential increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases in the upcoming years." What has been the state of surveillance and awareness so far? #NeuroCovid