Mark D. Berry 🇨🇦
@markdberry.bsky.social
Yorkshireman in Canada. Human Biosciences professor. Father. Science, Sports, Music. Prone to extreme sarcasm. General inability to suffer fools. Opinions personal
Post on the @cdnsciencepub.com blog about our recently published EDI-AR paper in @biochemcellbio.bsky.social on amending faculty recruitment processes to address inequities in hiring
Redactions: New hiring practices promote diversity and success in faculty hires | Canadian Science Publishing
Memorial University’s Department of Biochemistry redacted resumes to promote fair hiring practices and improved outcomes for women candidates
blog.cdnsciencepub.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Post on the @cdnsciencepub.com blog about our recently published EDI-AR paper in @biochemcellbio.bsky.social on amending faculty recruitment processes to address inequities in hiring
Booo. Would have been nice to see Gabon advance
Nigeria beat Gabon 4-1 after extra-time to reach the final of the CAF play-offs for a place at the World Cup.
The game was 1-1 going into extra-time, but goals from Chidera Ejuke & Victor Osimhen put Eric Chelle's team into Sunday's final.
The game was 1-1 going into extra-time, but goals from Chidera Ejuke & Victor Osimhen put Eric Chelle's team into Sunday's final.
November 13, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Booo. Would have been nice to see Gabon advance
The rankings systems are one of, if not the, biggest blight and danger to academia. Not fit for purpose is an understatement. Well established to be completely flawed and scientifically invalid.
To reform universities, first tackle global rankings
Universities are in thrall to a rankings system that prioritizes narrow aspects of academic life. Three changes would give institutions the freedom to explore fresh ways of working.
www.nature.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The rankings systems are one of, if not the, biggest blight and danger to academia. Not fit for purpose is an understatement. Well established to be completely flawed and scientifically invalid.
Reposted by Mark D. Berry 🇨🇦
Reposted by Mark D. Berry 🇨🇦
The fake news media loves subjectivity when it comes to race and gender -- why not age? Were Epstein's victims really "children," or just "non-adult aligned"? Is Trump really a pedophile, or just "tween curious"? Think, people!
November 12, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The fake news media loves subjectivity when it comes to race and gender -- why not age? Were Epstein's victims really "children," or just "non-adult aligned"? Is Trump really a pedophile, or just "tween curious"? Think, people!
Reposted by Mark D. Berry 🇨🇦
#lufc The director of Paris 75 is trying to get the film hosted on YouTube so everyone can see it. But the channel needs to reach 1000 subscribers so please give it a click
youtu.be/hE4WyUDlgOc
youtu.be/hE4WyUDlgOc
PARIS 75 - Official Trailer. In cinemas from Oct 10 (12A)
YouTube video by PARIS 75 - The Final Football Tried To Forget
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 11:32 AM
#lufc The director of Paris 75 is trying to get the film hosted on YouTube so everyone can see it. But the channel needs to reach 1000 subscribers so please give it a click
youtu.be/hE4WyUDlgOc
youtu.be/hE4WyUDlgOc
Congratulations anti-vax fuck-wits. Canada has now officially lost its measles elimination status.
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Congratulations anti-vax fuck-wits. Canada has now officially lost its measles elimination status.
#LUFC fans want to feel better? Look up a feed of the Canadian Premier League final. Currently at half time. Absolute farce. How they've got to half is beyond me. Let's just say the orange ball is getting a thorough work out. Stunning goal to tie it up mind.
November 9, 2025 at 11:22 PM
#LUFC fans want to feel better? Look up a feed of the Canadian Premier League final. Currently at half time. Absolute farce. How they've got to half is beyond me. Let's just say the orange ball is getting a thorough work out. Stunning goal to tie it up mind.
Was stupidly feeling optimistic about today for some reason (maybe the 3am start to travel yesterday). Then the team dropped.
What is going on with Gnonto?
And if we're going to go "solidity" would rather see Harrison start against a Dyche team than Aaronson.
Oh well. MOT. Fuck the trees
#lufc
What is going on with Gnonto?
And if we're going to go "solidity" would rather see Harrison start against a Dyche team than Aaronson.
Oh well. MOT. Fuck the trees
#lufc
November 9, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Was stupidly feeling optimistic about today for some reason (maybe the 3am start to travel yesterday). Then the team dropped.
What is going on with Gnonto?
And if we're going to go "solidity" would rather see Harrison start against a Dyche team than Aaronson.
Oh well. MOT. Fuck the trees
#lufc
What is going on with Gnonto?
And if we're going to go "solidity" would rather see Harrison start against a Dyche team than Aaronson.
Oh well. MOT. Fuck the trees
#lufc
Well that Everton Fulham first half was absolute crap
November 8, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Well that Everton Fulham first half was absolute crap
Back to my original Canadian stomping grounds (Saskatoon) for a week and one of the step-kids PhD graduation. Be nice to have some distance from the daily work shitstorms for a while
November 8, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Back to my original Canadian stomping grounds (Saskatoon) for a week and one of the step-kids PhD graduation. Be nice to have some distance from the daily work shitstorms for a while
Reposted by Mark D. Berry 🇨🇦
Only have undergrad in bio but I loved history and yet hadn't heard Florence Bell who was important in the initial preps of DNA for crystallography for Cavendish lab. She got sidelined and no credit (they wouldn't grant her degree from Cambridge in the '30s!)
Heard about her on BBC program
Heard about her on BBC program
BBC World Service - Discovery, Unstoppable: Florence Bell
How Florence Bell's work laid the foundation for a vital field of research - DNA
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Only have undergrad in bio but I loved history and yet hadn't heard Florence Bell who was important in the initial preps of DNA for crystallography for Cavendish lab. She got sidelined and no credit (they wouldn't grant her degree from Cambridge in the '30s!)
Heard about her on BBC program
Heard about her on BBC program
Words cannot express the unbridled joy that is pre-trip suitcase packing with Mrs B.
November 7, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Words cannot express the unbridled joy that is pre-trip suitcase packing with Mrs B.
Reposted by Mark D. Berry 🇨🇦
Elucidating biased signaling in class A GPCRs
Elucidating biased signaling in class A GPCRs
Biased signaling by G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) occurs when ligands selectively activate G proteins or β-arrestins, offering therapeutic potential with fewer side effects. In class A GPCRs, which include the targets of approximately one-third of all marketed drugs, the structural basis of this selectivity remains unclear. Recent cryo–electron microscopy studies, supported by real-time functional assays such as bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and NanoLuc Binary Technology, reveal how distinct ligand binding modes reshape receptor conformations to favor specific transducer engagement. Integrating structural and functional insights enables mapping of isoform- and tissue-specific signaling. Here, we review key mechanisms of bias, including microswitch transitions, intracellular interface remodeling, and allosteric modulation, and provide a mechanistic basis for pathway-selective GPCR-targeting therapeutics with improved efficacy and reduced off-target effects.
dlvr.it
November 7, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Elucidating biased signaling in class A GPCRs
This is long, but well worth a read.
NYT obituary of Jim Watson.
A long and fairly balanced view of a complicated man who participated in one of the greatest discoveries in biology.
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
A long and fairly balanced view of a complicated man who participated in one of the greatest discoveries in biology.
[Gift Link]
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/s...
James Watson, Co-Discoverer of the Structure of DNA, Is Dead at 97
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:26 PM
This is long, but well worth a read.
Looks like it's safe to re-post this that I inadvertently posted last night not realizing Canada had broadcast the finale a day early.
24 hrs later still devastated for Joe Marler. Only one of the useless bastards that actually worked it out.
#CelebrityTraitors
24 hrs later still devastated for Joe Marler. Only one of the useless bastards that actually worked it out.
#CelebrityTraitors
Nick Mohammed, what did you just do?
Conversely, Alan Carr, absolute genius.
Conversely, Alan Carr, absolute genius.
November 6, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Looks like it's safe to re-post this that I inadvertently posted last night not realizing Canada had broadcast the finale a day early.
24 hrs later still devastated for Joe Marler. Only one of the useless bastards that actually worked it out.
#CelebrityTraitors
24 hrs later still devastated for Joe Marler. Only one of the useless bastards that actually worked it out.
#CelebrityTraitors
Reposted by Mark D. Berry 🇨🇦
The Undertones. My Perfect cousin. youtu.be/Pgqa3cVOxUc?...
The Undertones - My Perfect Cousin (Official Video)
YouTube video by The Undertones
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The Undertones. My Perfect cousin. youtu.be/Pgqa3cVOxUc?...
Reposted by Mark D. Berry 🇨🇦
An update on this story - grad students are now exempt from the cap in student visas. 🧪
Canada makes pitch for US researchers to relocate with $1.7bn in new funding. My story for @science.org 🧪
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Canada’s new budget aims to lure U.S. researchers to relocate
Spending plan also calls for smaller research spending cut than feared
www.science.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:09 AM
An update on this story - grad students are now exempt from the cap in student visas. 🧪
I can confirm I watched this last night, and didn't realize it hadn't been released yet in the UK.
Apologies if my subsequent post last night about the outcome has ruined it for anyone. It genuinely never occurred to me I was getting a privileged pre-release viewing.
Apologies if my subsequent post last night about the outcome has ruined it for anyone. It genuinely never occurred to me I was getting a privileged pre-release viewing.
November 6, 2025 at 11:22 AM
I can confirm I watched this last night, and didn't realize it hadn't been released yet in the UK.
Apologies if my subsequent post last night about the outcome has ruined it for anyone. It genuinely never occurred to me I was getting a privileged pre-release viewing.
Apologies if my subsequent post last night about the outcome has ruined it for anyone. It genuinely never occurred to me I was getting a privileged pre-release viewing.
Nick Mohammed, what did you just do?
Conversely, Alan Carr, absolute genius.
Conversely, Alan Carr, absolute genius.
November 6, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Nick Mohammed, what did you just do?
Conversely, Alan Carr, absolute genius.
Conversely, Alan Carr, absolute genius.
Oh my. This has cheered my day up no end
November 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Oh my. This has cheered my day up no end
Reposted by Mark D. Berry 🇨🇦
Finland knows that Socialism works.
They house all the homeless people, and have the least in the world.
They closed all paid Education in 1976 and now have the best education system in the world.
They are the happiest country in the world.
Be like Finland.
They house all the homeless people, and have the least in the world.
They closed all paid Education in 1976 and now have the best education system in the world.
They are the happiest country in the world.
Be like Finland.
November 2, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Finland knows that Socialism works.
They house all the homeless people, and have the least in the world.
They closed all paid Education in 1976 and now have the best education system in the world.
They are the happiest country in the world.
Be like Finland.
They house all the homeless people, and have the least in the world.
They closed all paid Education in 1976 and now have the best education system in the world.
They are the happiest country in the world.
Be like Finland.
Reposted by Mark D. Berry 🇨🇦
