Javier Apfeld
@javierapfeld.bsky.social
Aging scientist. Worm expert. Community-engaged teacher. Lab at Northeastern University. I watch worms die to learn how to live.
Lab: apfeldlab.mystrikingly.com
ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9897-5671
Lab: apfeldlab.mystrikingly.com
ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9897-5671
Pinned
Javier Apfeld
@javierapfeld.bsky.social
· Nov 28
Keeping in touch with the road not taken
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology - Keeping in touch with the road not taken
www.nature.com
I am so happy this perspective was published today, on Thanksgiving day!! 🥂🦃
I reflect on how keeping in touch with a field I left behind long ago continues to bring me joy and fulfillment.
I reflect on how keeping in touch with a field I left behind long ago continues to bring me joy and fulfillment.
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Greetings! I decided to make a YouTube video of my AlphaFold workshop that I've given a few times in the past year. Caveats aside, people seem to find this useful for thinking about how to model protein interactions and how to interpret various AF outputs 1/2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u63o...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u63o...
David's AlphaFold WorkShop 2026
YouTube video by David Fay
www.youtube.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Greetings! I decided to make a YouTube video of my AlphaFold workshop that I've given a few times in the past year. Caveats aside, people seem to find this useful for thinking about how to model protein interactions and how to interpret various AF outputs 1/2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u63o...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u63o...
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
All right it’s time for the annual “please tell us about one (or a few if you are ambitious) paper from 2025 that really impressed you and why we should all read it“! Go! If you tell us how it changed your view of the world and what makes it so powerful and consequential It would be excellent.
December 21, 2025 at 3:10 AM
All right it’s time for the annual “please tell us about one (or a few if you are ambitious) paper from 2025 that really impressed you and why we should all read it“! Go! If you tell us how it changed your view of the world and what makes it so powerful and consequential It would be excellent.
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Flashbacks of ACeDB with accumulating C. elegans genome sequences and little/no tools; Paul Sternberg being frustrated and saying "we have to make this easier!" His solution was WormBase
December 19, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Flashbacks of ACeDB with accumulating C. elegans genome sequences and little/no tools; Paul Sternberg being frustrated and saying "we have to make this easier!" His solution was WormBase
This brings back memories of using Leon Avery's C. elegans WWW Server to get to the worm's parts list and to @vambros.bsky.social lab's comprehensive protocol collection 🪱✨️
December 19, 2025 at 3:34 AM
This brings back memories of using Leon Avery's C. elegans WWW Server to get to the worm's parts list and to @vambros.bsky.social lab's comprehensive protocol collection 🪱✨️
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
What tools do we need to start engineering #aging and #longevity ? A🧵about something we've been cooking up in lab with Jeremy Vicencio at the @crg.eu : technology that lets us reach inside living animals and precisely dial multiple proteins' levels up and down. 1/10
December 16, 2025 at 12:09 PM
What tools do we need to start engineering #aging and #longevity ? A🧵about something we've been cooking up in lab with Jeremy Vicencio at the @crg.eu : technology that lets us reach inside living animals and precisely dial multiple proteins' levels up and down. 1/10
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Join us in welcoming GSA’s newest Board members: VP David Greenstein, Treasurer @marymullins.bsky.social, & Directors Monica Colaiacovo (@colaiacovolab.bsky.social), Tania Reis, & @jrossibarra.bsky.social. We’re grateful for their leadership & excited for what’s ahead. Learn more: buff.ly/7LZjkoP
December 11, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Join us in welcoming GSA’s newest Board members: VP David Greenstein, Treasurer @marymullins.bsky.social, & Directors Monica Colaiacovo (@colaiacovolab.bsky.social), Tania Reis, & @jrossibarra.bsky.social. We’re grateful for their leadership & excited for what’s ahead. Learn more: buff.ly/7LZjkoP
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
This paper was written by my WormAtlas colleagues, Dave and Nate, in addition to 5 Nobel Prize winners. Hopefully more attention and funding will find its way to the invaluable C. elegans resources described in the paper.
A new paper, co-authored by WormAtlas directors Dave Hall and Nate Schroeder, describes how C. elegans community research resources, including WormAtlas, provide the infrastructure that supports nematode research around the world.
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
PNAS
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) - an authoritative source of high-impact, original research that broadly spans...
www.pnas.org
December 2, 2025 at 7:06 PM
This paper was written by my WormAtlas colleagues, Dave and Nate, in addition to 5 Nobel Prize winners. Hopefully more attention and funding will find its way to the invaluable C. elegans resources described in the paper.
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
I'm teaching a literature based class next semester and plan to share a method for reading a paper focused on note taking.
I think many graduate students don't take notes when reading research articles and consequently don't retain information well.
I'd love to hear what people think. 1/🧵
I think many graduate students don't take notes when reading research articles and consequently don't retain information well.
I'd love to hear what people think. 1/🧵
December 1, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I'm teaching a literature based class next semester and plan to share a method for reading a paper focused on note taking.
I think many graduate students don't take notes when reading research articles and consequently don't retain information well.
I'd love to hear what people think. 1/🧵
I think many graduate students don't take notes when reading research articles and consequently don't retain information well.
I'd love to hear what people think. 1/🧵
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
🚀 Postdoc opportunity!
The Kapahi Lab at Buck Institute for Research on Aging is hiring two postdoctoral researchers to lead cutting-edge studies on how nutrient signaling and circadian rhythms influence neurodegeneration & aging — combining fly, worm, and mammalian models with genomics. 📈
👉
The Kapahi Lab at Buck Institute for Research on Aging is hiring two postdoctoral researchers to lead cutting-edge studies on how nutrient signaling and circadian rhythms influence neurodegeneration & aging — combining fly, worm, and mammalian models with genomics. 📈
👉
Postdoctoral Researcher positions-Kapahi lab - Buck Institute - Career Page
The Kapahi lab seeks postdocs to lead innovative projects exploring how circadian clocks & nutrient-responsive pathways influence eye & neuronal degeneration.
buckinstitute.applytojob.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:09 AM
🚀 Postdoc opportunity!
The Kapahi Lab at Buck Institute for Research on Aging is hiring two postdoctoral researchers to lead cutting-edge studies on how nutrient signaling and circadian rhythms influence neurodegeneration & aging — combining fly, worm, and mammalian models with genomics. 📈
👉
The Kapahi Lab at Buck Institute for Research on Aging is hiring two postdoctoral researchers to lead cutting-edge studies on how nutrient signaling and circadian rhythms influence neurodegeneration & aging — combining fly, worm, and mammalian models with genomics. 📈
👉
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
C. elegans researchers were early adopters of open science: "The development of common resources and the belief that research findings and mutant strains should be freely shared has propelled worm research to the forefront"
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
From nematode to Nobel: How community-shared resources fueled the rise of Caenorhabditis elegans as a research organism | PNAS
Experimental organisms such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans are fundamental
to biological discovery. The success of C. elegans research has ...
www.pnas.org
November 28, 2025 at 8:00 AM
C. elegans researchers were early adopters of open science: "The development of common resources and the belief that research findings and mutant strains should be freely shared has propelled worm research to the forefront"
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
I've always loved the openness and collegiality of our C. elegans community 🪱, but this perspective really helps emphasize just *how important* those traits are for scientific progress. A true tribute to how curiosity-driven science leads to innovation! 🙌
Read this inspiring perspectives coauthored by the Worm Resource directors and worm Nobel Laureates! 4 Nobel Prizes and how they were enabled by major NIH-supported research resources (the Caenorhabditis Genetics Center, WormBase, and WormAtlas) www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
November 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I've always loved the openness and collegiality of our C. elegans community 🪱, but this perspective really helps emphasize just *how important* those traits are for scientific progress. A true tribute to how curiosity-driven science leads to innovation! 🙌
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Read this inspiring perspectives coauthored by the Worm Resource directors and worm Nobel Laureates! 4 Nobel Prizes and how they were enabled by major NIH-supported research resources (the Caenorhabditis Genetics Center, WormBase, and WormAtlas) www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
November 25, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Read this inspiring perspectives coauthored by the Worm Resource directors and worm Nobel Laureates! 4 Nobel Prizes and how they were enabled by major NIH-supported research resources (the Caenorhabditis Genetics Center, WormBase, and WormAtlas) www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
The C. elegans community is amazing. I email a Nobel laureate for a favor. He immediately responds yes and offers additional help!
a woman with a big hairdo is singing and the words simply the best are above her
ALT: a woman with a big hairdo is singing and the words simply the best are above her
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:48 PM
The C. elegans community is amazing. I email a Nobel laureate for a favor. He immediately responds yes and offers additional help!
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Are you an early-stage graduate student (2nd or 3rd year) or early-stage postdoc based in the US or Canada, working primarily in Drosophila? Would you like to help improve the experience of all trainees working in Drosophila research? If so, read on.
(Please repost to reach a broad audience.)
(Please repost to reach a broad audience.)
November 12, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Are you an early-stage graduate student (2nd or 3rd year) or early-stage postdoc based in the US or Canada, working primarily in Drosophila? Would you like to help improve the experience of all trainees working in Drosophila research? If so, read on.
(Please repost to reach a broad audience.)
(Please repost to reach a broad audience.)
Nice sky in Cambridge MA
November 12, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Nice sky in Cambridge MA
My former undergad Hannah Tam gave a phenomenal PhD dissertation talk earlier today on the mechanisms of skin regeneration in mice!! So proud and such joy to see her shine so brightly! We had a mini lab reunion too, with Hannah and former undergad Juli Stanley.
November 11, 2025 at 2:53 AM
My former undergad Hannah Tam gave a phenomenal PhD dissertation talk earlier today on the mechanisms of skin regeneration in mice!! So proud and such joy to see her shine so brightly! We had a mini lab reunion too, with Hannah and former undergad Juli Stanley.
I got my sticker!
November 5, 2025 at 12:25 AM
I got my sticker!
A film you've seen more than seven times with a gif
November 2, 2025 at 2:18 AM
A film you've seen more than seven times with a gif
Lio the jack-o'-lantern dog 🎃🐶
November 1, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Lio the jack-o'-lantern dog 🎃🐶
I just listened to an excellent @bigbiology.bsky.social podcast interviewing my amazing colleague Katie Lotterhos @drk-lo.bsky.social, who’s been using surveys to give scientists a platform to tell their stories about how recent federal policy changes are affecting them and the practice of science.
Ep 141: Vulnerability in science and in genomes (with Katie Letterhos) — Big Biology Podcast
What impact has the Trump administration had on biology and the scientific community? How do scientists study genomic adaptation and vulnerability? On this episode we talk with Katie Lotterhos , ...
www.bigbiology.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:57 PM
I just listened to an excellent @bigbiology.bsky.social podcast interviewing my amazing colleague Katie Lotterhos @drk-lo.bsky.social, who’s been using surveys to give scientists a platform to tell their stories about how recent federal policy changes are affecting them and the practice of science.
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Molecular & Cellular Physiology (MCP) Monday
We are recruiting a tenure-track assistant professor to join the Dept of Molecular & Cellular Physiology at Stanford. Apply to be our colleague 1/n
facultypositions.stanford.edu/en-us/job/49...
We are recruiting a tenure-track assistant professor to join the Dept of Molecular & Cellular Physiology at Stanford. Apply to be our colleague 1/n
facultypositions.stanford.edu/en-us/job/49...
Stanford | Faculty Positions: Details - Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology
facultypositions.stanford.edu
October 27, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Molecular & Cellular Physiology (MCP) Monday
We are recruiting a tenure-track assistant professor to join the Dept of Molecular & Cellular Physiology at Stanford. Apply to be our colleague 1/n
facultypositions.stanford.edu/en-us/job/49...
We are recruiting a tenure-track assistant professor to join the Dept of Molecular & Cellular Physiology at Stanford. Apply to be our colleague 1/n
facultypositions.stanford.edu/en-us/job/49...
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
TT faculty job opening in #Neuroscience!
We are looking for a colleague to join us in our fantastic Biology Department and Neuroscience Program at Brandeis. We are a group of *very* collaborative, supportive, and productive scientists (& humans!) so please apply
academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30961
We are looking for a colleague to join us in our fantastic Biology Department and Neuroscience Program at Brandeis. We are a group of *very* collaborative, supportive, and productive scientists (& humans!) so please apply
academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30961
Brandeis University, Biology Department
Job #AJO30961, Assistant Professor in Biology and Neuroscience Program, Biology Department, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, US
academicjobsonline.org
October 22, 2025 at 11:28 PM
TT faculty job opening in #Neuroscience!
We are looking for a colleague to join us in our fantastic Biology Department and Neuroscience Program at Brandeis. We are a group of *very* collaborative, supportive, and productive scientists (& humans!) so please apply
academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30961
We are looking for a colleague to join us in our fantastic Biology Department and Neuroscience Program at Brandeis. We are a group of *very* collaborative, supportive, and productive scientists (& humans!) so please apply
academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30961
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Despite the mess, we are grateful to be funded, have exciting science happening, and have an opening for a postdoc!
If you are interested in sensory biology and esp in cilia, thermosensation, or interoception, and would like to join an interactive & supportive group - please email.
Please RT 🙏
If you are interested in sensory biology and esp in cilia, thermosensation, or interoception, and would like to join an interactive & supportive group - please email.
Please RT 🙏
October 16, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Despite the mess, we are grateful to be funded, have exciting science happening, and have an opening for a postdoc!
If you are interested in sensory biology and esp in cilia, thermosensation, or interoception, and would like to join an interactive & supportive group - please email.
Please RT 🙏
If you are interested in sensory biology and esp in cilia, thermosensation, or interoception, and would like to join an interactive & supportive group - please email.
Please RT 🙏
The plates have mites.
In honour of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand.
rm -rf ~/
rm -rf ~/
"The chancellor approved it"
October 12, 2025 at 2:48 PM
The plates have mites.
Reposted by Javier Apfeld
Another Friday is here! Bring your recommendations for interesting papers! 😍
October 10, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Another Friday is here! Bring your recommendations for interesting papers! 😍